EEL-SHAPED SIREN. G07 



be erroneous ; and the Siren is unquestionably 

 most allied to the Lizard tribe; though it still re- 

 mains doubtful whether it should be considered as 

 a larva, or as an animal in its perfect or ultimate 

 form. 



The lightness with which the Count de Cepede 

 passes over this interesting subject cannot be ob- 

 served without surprise : I have surveyed, says he, 

 with attention the figure of this animal in the 

 Philosophical Transactions, as well as its descrip- 

 tion by Mr. Ellis, and have not a moment's hesi- 

 tation in pronouncing it to be merely the larva of 

 a Lacerta. 



" Nous avons examin6 avec soin la figure et 

 la description que M. Ellis en a donnees dans les 

 Transactions Philosophiques ; & nous n'avons pas 

 doute mi seul moment que cet animal, bien loin 

 de constituer un ordre nouveau, ne fut une larve." 



How different this from the sober investigation 

 and philosophical doubts of the great Linnseus, 

 as well as from the patient enquiries of a Hunter 

 and a Camper ! 



The celebrated Amphibiologist Schneider, after 

 declaring his own opinion, that the Siren is really 

 no other than the larva of some undiscovered Li- 

 zard, thus expresses his sentiments relative to the 

 Count de Cepede's decision on the subject. 



" Factum igitur casu potius puto, ut suspicio 

 Galli de Sirene lacertina Linnaei proposita, p. 611*, 



* Histoire Naturella des Quadrupedes ovipares. 



