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it was placed in alcohol. The day following, desiring to 

 note a few points of structure, I removed it from the alcohol 

 in which it had been completely submerged for at least 

 20 hours, and had no sooner placed it on the table than it 

 began to open its big mouth, vigorously sway its tail to and 

 fro, and give other undoubted signs of vitality." 



The Congo Snake, or Amphiuma, (Amphiuma means'), is 

 a creature which closely resembles a thick-tailed snake. 

 A close examination, however, discloses a tiny pair of front 

 legs; and far back, well toward the end of the tail, a small 

 pair of hind legs appear. These are about as valuable to 

 the animal as the tiger's clavicle is to him. There are but 

 two species belonging to this strange genus, both of which 

 are found in the stagnant waters of our southeastern states. 

 Still lower than the amphiuma, is The Mud Eel, (Siren laccr- 

 tina), of the southeastern quarter of the United States, 

 which possesses small external gills, and only one pair of 

 legs, which are in front. 



The Menobranchus, or Mud Puppy, (Necturus macula tils']. 

 possesses external gills and four legs, and inhabits many of 

 the rivers of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and also the 

 Great Lakes and northern New York. It is often taken ir 

 fishermen's nets. 



