64 MIOCENE FAUNA. 



japonicus, Temm., sp., PI. XI. fig. 2) agrees almost completely 

 in the structure of the skeleton with that from CEningen, and 

 must therefore be regarded as its homologous species. The only 

 characters by which the CEningian species can be distinguished 

 are that the head of the fossil is comparatively rather shorter 

 and broader, whilst in the living species the head is a little 

 longer than broad, and the toes of the Miocene reptile are com- 

 paratively somewhat longer. The American species are also 

 very nearly allied to the CEningian reptile, and they agree with 

 it in the broader and shorter form of the head ; but, according 

 to Hermann von Meyer, the fossil agrees better in size, and in 

 the different parts of the skull, with the Japanese species. The 

 latter attains a length of 3 feet, and lives in the brooks and lakes 

 of Southern Japan (between 34 and 36 N. lat.), at an elevation 

 of from 4000 to 5000 feet above the sea-level. It is an ugly 

 creature, with small eyes and a blackish brown folded and warty 

 skin. In the Zoological Gardens of London and of Amsterdam, 

 where Prof. Heer has seen this animal, it lies almost immovable 

 throughout the day ; but during the night it is said sometimes to 

 quit the water and to go in search of its food, which consists of 

 small fishes, frogs, and worms. Of the two American species, 

 one (Menopoma giganteum, Bart., sp.), which attains a length 

 of 2 feet, is principally an inhabitant of the northern United 

 States, whilst the other (M. fuscum, Holb., sp.) is found in 

 South Carolina. 



This type of animals is now altogether wanting in Europe ; 

 but in Miocene^ times it was represented by two species, one of 

 which has just been described ; and the other (Andrias Tschudii, 

 Von Meyer) is nearly allied to the CEningian animal, but 

 smaller, being only about 1 ^ foot in length ; it was discovered in 

 the lignite deposits of Bonn. By its longer, narrower head and 

 rather shorter limbs, this species approaches more closely than 

 the CEningian to the Japanese form ; and its skeleton is scarcely 

 distinguishable *. 



* According to H. von Meyer (Palseontographica, vii. p. 53) the hind limbs 

 are appended to the 22nd vertebra, whilst in the Japanese species they are 

 attached to the 21st j but this is not of much importance. In the specimen 

 examined by Dr. Schmidt, Goddart, and J. van der Hoeven the pelvic bones 

 are united on the right side to the 21st, and on the left side to the 22nd ver- 

 tebra (see ' Natuurkundige Verhandelingen, Harlem/ 1862, p. 59). 



