PROTEUS. 



279 



FIG. 299. PROTEUS. 



The Mud Eel (Siren lacertina} almost exactly resembles an eel in its general shape ; 

 but, instead of fins, has legs. These, however, are only two in number, representing 

 the anterior pair ; they are very short and feeble, and of little service in progression, 



FIG. 300. SKELETON OF SIREN. 



either when in the water or on land ; they are terminated by four toes. These animals, 

 as the English name indicates, live chiefly in mud, and are abundant in the rice-fields 

 of Carolina, where, when the ditches are cleared, they are often thrown out in great 

 numbers. Being regarded as venomous by the slaves, they are instantly killed or 

 dreadfully mangled. Sometimes they leave the soft mud, in which they usually bur- 

 row, and take to the water, where they swim with great quickness. They are occa- 

 sionally taken by persons angling with a bait of earthworms. Sometimes, like eels, 

 they leave the water and are found on dry land. A specimen, which was kept alive in 

 the Zoological Gardens in the Regent's Park, devoured about a dozen and P. half of 

 earthworms dailv. 



