22 I'liOTEUS OF THK LAK i 



attains the length of two feet. Two other species of this genus are 

 known : the Menobranchua Maculatus, found in tlie Alleghany Kiver, 

 and in Lakes George and Champlain; and the Menobranchua Punc- 

 tatua,* found in tlie Santee River, South Carolina, which is said to be 

 useful iu that .State, in ridding the rice fields of destructive and 

 noxious vermin. These species have all four toes on each foot. 



The specimen in question measures only twelve inches in length, 

 so that it is small in comparison with those obtained by Major Dela- 

 field from Lake St. Clair. It appears to me to differ more or I 

 from each of the varieties pertaining to this continent; and more 

 especially from the Menobranchw lateralis, or Proteus of the Lakes, 

 in haying a much flatter head, one more toe on each of the posterior 

 feet, and that of a very peculiar conformation, as before described. 

 It has no lateral stripe of black, nor is it spotted like the species 

 found in the Alleghany and Santee Rivers. The points of difference 

 therefore between this specimen and the genus Menobranchua are 

 so important that I can scarcely consider it as identical with the Pro- 

 teus of the Lakes or the other species referred to. The only remaining 

 competitor is the Proteus of New Jersey, which is briefly noticed in 

 the seventh volume of Silliman's Journal (p. OS). This animal, 

 though said to possess the same number °f toes on each of its ! 



.•s in color, and in the absence of any external nostril — which in 

 our specimen is very apparent. It approaches, however, nearer to 

 an exact resemblance of this specimen than any of the preceding 

 genera; but not sufficiently near to establish its identity with it. I 

 am therefore impelled to the conclusion, after com nd inves- 



tigation, that the specimen is a distinct branch of the Batrachian 

 family, and may be considered as a new genus — the Proteus Cana- 

 densis — its chief points of difference being in the flatness of its 

 head, the absence of any lateral stripes, and the formation of 

 the fifth toe on the foot of the posterior leg. 



i amateur, I have to claim the indulgence of the members of 

 the Institute for any want of clearness or scientific accuracy in 

 paper. If I have not sufficiently established the point aimed at, 

 still I trust the members of tlie Institute will agree with me in the 

 lusion that even, if so marked a differenc- in one of an inter 

 class of reptiles is not sufficient to constitute it a distinct genus , 

 that difference is nevertheless such as to merit their notice and care- 

 ful observation. 



+ TIk- eptilest* the trrms, .v. 



