2 7 8 



REPTILES. 



vertical tail ; their limbs are but little developed, and the hinder 

 pair are sometimes wanting, Four genera are known, namely, 

 the Axolotus, the Menobranchus, the Proteus, and the Siren. 



The Axolotle (Axolotus) in every respect resembles the tadpoles of sala- 

 manders that have acquired both their fore and hind legs. The gills project 

 from orifices on each side of the neck, and take the form of branched tufts, as 

 may be seen in the accompanying figure, representing the Axolotus pisci- 

 formis, an animal inhabiting the lakes of Mexico. It is about ten inches in 

 'length. It is said to be commonly sold in the markets of Mexico, and to be 

 esteemed as a luxury by the inhabitants, dressed in the manner of stewed 

 eels, and served up with rich sauce. Humboldt declares that he found it 



FIG. 298. AXOLOTLE. 



savoury and wholesome. Lake Champlain, in Canada, produces a species 

 much resembling this, but three or four times as large. 



The Snake-like Proteus (Proteus angnmus). The native place and abode of the 

 Proteus is the water in some subterranean caverns in the limestone of the south of Europe, 

 as, for example, in that of Adelsburg in Carniola. This cavern was visited by the late 

 Sir Humphry Davy, who has left us a very interesting account of it and its strange in- 

 habitant. "At first view, you might suppose this animal to be a lizard, but it has the 

 motions of a fish. Its head and the lower part of its body all bear a strong resemblance 

 to an eel ; but it has no fins, and its curious branchial organs are not like the gills of 

 fishes. They form a singular vascular structure almost like a crest round the throat, 

 and they may be removed without causing the death of the animal, which has also lungs. 

 With this double apparatus it can live either in or out of water. Its fore feet resemble 

 hands ; but they have only three fingers, and are too feeble to be of any use in support- 

 ing the weight of the animal, while the hinder feet have only two claws or toes. " 



