414 CLASS REPTILIA. 



The Lacertiyie Siren^ {Siren Lacertina^ Lin.) 



Attains to three feet in length, and is blackish. Its 

 feet have four toes, its tail is compressed into an 

 obtuse fin. It inhabits the marshes of Carolina, and 

 particularly those where the culture of rice is esta- 

 blished. It remains there in the mud, from which 

 it sometimes goes to land, and sometimes to the 

 water. It lives on earth-worms, insects, &c.* 

 Two smaller species are known. 



The Intermediate Silken, {S. Intermedia^ Leconte. 

 Lyceum of New York, II. Dec. 1826. pi. 1.) 



Blackish ; and with four toes like the large species, 

 but the branchial tufts are less fringed. It is not 

 more than a foot in length. 



Tlie Shiped Siren^ (S. Striata id. ih. I. pi. iv.) 



Blackish ; two longitudinal yellow stripes on each 

 side ; three toes only on the feet. The branchial 

 tufts but little fringed. Its length is only nine 

 inches.t 



* Dr. Barton disputes the habit of feeding on serpents, and the cry like 

 that of a young duck, which Gordon attributes to the siren. 



-|- The gills of these two species are considered as performing no part in 

 their respiration, and, in consequence of this, Mr. Gray has formed of 

 them his genus Pseudobranchus. It is not, however, difficult to see, at 

 their lower face, certain folds, and a vascular apparatus, whose use does not 

 appear to us to be doubtful. It is now clearly demonstrated, by the obser- 

 vations of M. Leconte, that these sirens, like the Lacertina, are perfect 

 animals. 



