Aquatic Amphibians 217 



human members of the staff. Its only 

 competitors in Regent's Park are certain 

 inhabitants of the Tortoise House. 



The aquatic Salamander (Cryptobran- 

 chus) of North America, attains a length 

 of eighteen inches. Its eggs, likewise laid 

 in a rosary-like string, are protected by 

 the male, who guards them against their 

 cannibalistic mother. 



Amphiuma, an eel-shaped relative of 

 the Giant Salamander, is a native of the 

 rivers and swamps of the South-Eastern 

 United States, and obtains a length of 

 over three feet. The eggs are deposited 

 in clumps. In this case the nursing 

 duties devolve upon the mother, who 

 coils herself round them until they hatch, 

 a period sometimes exceeding twelve 

 weeks. 



The cave-dwelling Proteus or Olm of 

 the East Coast of the Adriatic, lives in 

 complete darkness. It is quite blind, for 

 its eyes, in accordance with the cave life 



