AMPHIBIA. 539 



rows of small conical teeth in the upper jaw, and one row be- 

 neath. The branchial tufts are large. The toes are four on each 

 foot. The species called the BANDED PROTEUS, or Big Witch 

 Lizard, M. later alis, (Necturus lateralis,} is of a brownish color, 

 with blackish spots, and often a dark lateral line. It is stouter 

 and longer than the Proteus, the length varying from one to 

 three feet. It is found in the great northern lakes of this 

 continent. A spotted species, M. maculatus, is found in Lake 

 Champlain and Lake George ; and a third species,' M. punctatus, 

 having more uniform markings than the others, lives in Santee 

 River, South Carolina. The Menobranchus has been found in 

 the Erie Canal, (N. Y.) The animal appears to move slowly 

 in the water, but the powerful tail must render it able to move 

 with much celerity. Though its flesh is white, and perhaps 

 savory, it is looked upon by fishermen with disgust and aversion. 



The term Siren represents eel-like animals, having three gill- 

 tufts on each side, and utterly destitute of hinder limbs. The 

 front limbs are feeble; the toes are four in number, small and 

 clawless. The lower jaw has teeth, the upper none ; but there 

 are ranges of teeth on the palate. The eye is very small, and 

 the ear hidden from view. The gills in these animals have less 

 external development than in the Menobranchus; but, on the 

 other hand, the lungs perform their part more completely. 



The LACEUTINE SIREN, (S. lacertina,) is probably the largest 

 species, reaching the size of three feet. It is black above ; 

 dusky beneath ; and found in the muddy marshy grounds of 

 South Carolina and Florida. 



The AXOLOTL, Siredon pisciformis, of Mexico, is common to 

 the lakes in the vicinity of the city of Mexico. It is found in the 

 coldest mountain waters. The length of the Axolotl is eight or 

 ten inches ; its general color green, spotted with black. The flesh 

 resembles that of an eel, and is considered quite agreeable. The 

 gills and gill-openings of this animal are highly developed ; a 

 continuous flap extends across the throat ; the tail is compressed 

 and fin-like. 



Respecting this creature naturalists have been much per. 

 plexed. Many doubt whether the gills be permanent, and are 

 of the opinion that the Axolotl is nothing more than the tadpole 

 of a large species of Salamander, or else of some species, the 

 perfect form of which is yet to be discovered. 



Fossil remains of Amphibia have been found both in Europe 

 and America. Traces of batrachian foot-marks are thought to be 

 discernible in the new red sand-stone of Massachusetts and Con- 



