360 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



Of all the salamanders but few are more famous than the axolotl of 

 Mexico. It lives in the lakes surrounding the city, and is taken exten- 

 sively and used as food. The flesh is stated to be excellent, and indeed 

 there is no reason why it should not be ; but most people from the United 

 States regard it with feelings of aversion. This form is remarkable for the 

 fact that it breeds in the larval stage, and the perfect form is as yet 

 unknown. It is true that it is occasionally stated that it does reach the 

 perfect state in Europe ; but these observations are stated by Professor 

 Cope (the highest authority on the subject) to be founded on error. 



Fig. 330. — Hell-bender, or water-dog (Protonopsis horrida). 



We figure here the form which really does change, and which has been 

 confused with the axolotl ; the differences between the two are so slight 

 that for all ordinary purposes the cut will do as well for one form as for 

 the other. At certain periods of the year these aquatic forms begin to 

 breathe air, and at the same time the fringe-like gills begin to decrease. 

 Then the fin-like fold upon the tail is absorbed, and at last the animal takes 

 on the appearance shown in the next cut. 



These axolotl-like forms are very interesting when kept in an aquarium. 

 They exhibit hardly a trace of intellect, but are very voracious. It is 

 amusing to feed a worm or a long, stringy bit of meat to them, allowing 



