538 AMPHIBIA. 



order of the Vrodelan Batrachians, termed Trematodera, a name 

 referring to the perforations or apertures on the side of the neck, 

 which remain through life. 



The first genus we shall notice, is Proteus, of which there is a 

 single species, P. anguinus, (Lat. snaky.) Few reptiles have 

 excited more interest than this curious species, an apparent 

 link between the amphibia and fishes. Its branchiae are not, 

 indeed, covered as in fishes, but are exposed, presenting the form 

 of a beautiful pink tuft on each side of the head ; the body is 

 eel-like, as are all its movements ; the tail is compressed ; the 

 eyes are rudimentary, with small black dots under the skin, (as 

 has been discovered by dissection ;) the jaws are furnished with 

 minute teeth. The limbs are very small and feeble, and, in 

 fact, almost useless ; the toes are three on the front, and two on 

 each hind limb. The skin is smooth and delicate. 



The Proteus dwells in the subterraneous waters of the great 

 cavern of Adelsburg or "Grotto of the Maddalena," situated near 

 the main road from Trieste to Vienna, (Austria.) " These sub- 

 terranean waters communicate with, and supply a small lake in 

 the celebrated cavern; and it is in this lake, where no sunlight 

 ever enters, inclosed by barriers of piled up rock, deep in the 

 bowels of the earth, that the Proteus is found, reposing in the 

 soft mud, precipitated by the fluid, and lining the rocky basin." 

 At Sittich, which is about thirty miles from the cavern, it is also 

 noticed, though rarely, being " thrown up by water from a sub- 

 terranean cavity." 



According to Sir Humphrey Davy, the Protei are seldom 

 found in dry seasons, but are often abundant after great rains. 

 The length of a moderate-sized one, is about a foot ; the thick- 

 ness varies from that "of a quill, to that of the thumb." The 

 nature of its food is not certainly known ; though its numerous 

 teeth would indicate it to be carnivorous. The skin is of a pale 

 flesh color, but when exposed to the light, it approaches olive 

 brown. The light appears to act upon it with a power that is 

 too stimulating, and the animals, when exposed to it, creep under 

 any object that may shelter them from its influence. In the 

 mysterious nature of the Proteus, and its singular dwelling-place, 

 how manifest is the hand of the Creator, assigning to everything 

 the bounds of its habitation, and so organizing every thing, that 

 it shall accomplish its allotted destiny. 



The Menobranchus, (Gr. enduring gills,) or Phanerobranchus, 

 (Gr. manifest gills,) of Fitzinger, is clearly allied to the Proteus. 

 It has a body moderately elongated ; the tail is deep and flat- 

 tened at the sides ; the head is flat and large. There are two 



