a reece ce eel 
J. C. Dalton, Jr., on the Proteus anguinus. 387 
Arr. XLVL—Some Account of the Proteus anguinus> by 
Jno. C. Darron, Jz, M.D. With a Plate. 
Iv the Austrian province of Carniola there are a large number 
of grottoes, the two most remarkable of which are in the imme: 
diate vicinity of Adelsberg, a small post-town, about thirty-five 
miles inland from Trieste. The larger of these, which is the 
only one usually visited by travellers, and which is justly cele- 
brated for the extent of its passages, and for the elegance and va- 
Niety of its Stalactites, has its entrance on the side of a hill, about 
fifteen minutes’ walk from the village. It is called by the in- 
habitants the “Grotto of Adelsberg.”’ A small stream flows into 
its mouth, but disappears after a short distance through one of 
the numerous chasms which open into the principal passage. e 
stotto penetrates the hill in a nearly horizontal direction, and can 
easily be followed for a distance of one to two miles. It has 
‘ en explored for nearly twice that distance, but the passage 
8 difficult and dangerous, and its termination has never yet been 
tached. In the waters of this cavern there are found occasion- 
ally a few crabs and fishes, of the same species as those met 
With outside, and which have been carried in by the stream 
met 
With; and though they exist also in other parts of Carniola, they 
ate more abundant in the Magdelena Grotto than elsewhere. 
Unlike the « Adelsberg Grotto,” this cavern receives no strea 
at its mouth, and penetrates the hill in a steep downward direc- 
lion, instead of horizontally. After descending, for about fifteen 
ihinutes, by an exceedingly rough and irregular passage, partly 
tocky and partly covered with soft mud, the visitor comes - a 
Pool of still water, varying from 12 to 18 feet in depth, ar ng 
‘0 the season, beyond which the cavern cannot be explored. It 
$n this pool that the Proteus is met with. The water appa- 
fently communicates with that of the Adelsberg Grotto ; as it is 
always turbid when the latter is so, and vice versa. 5 eee a 
“ths are, of course, perfectly dark, and can be explored only wit 
lorches, The temperature, in the latter part of August, wes 
about 40° to 50° FY and probably does not vary much throug : 
out the year, It is certain, at least, that in winter it is muc 
ugher in the interior of the grotto than outside. The Prowme 
'Staken in small hand-nets by the peasants, who watch fort ‘ 
animal as he lies almost motionless near the bottom of the poo 4 
and capture him by a sudden motion of the net. They are no 
