PROTEUS OF THE LAKES. 21 



low in the seale of nature ; to the superficial observer it appears in- 

 deed more like an elongated heel, but a close inspection clearly 

 discloses indications of three claws or sub-toes. From one of the 

 hind feet this toe has disappeared — probably broken off when cap- 

 tured. Indeed marks of abrasure are visible, and the indications of 

 the wound may still be observed, notwithstanding the limb having 

 since healed. The head is very much depressed, the mouth truncated, 

 with a minute nostril at either angle of the upper lip, eyes pretty 

 well forward in the head, which although when alive not very appa- 

 rent, are now, from the action of the spirits of wine in which it is 

 preserved distinctly visible. During life the skin was quite smooth 

 and was covered with a glutinous milky fluid. As these animals are 

 popularly held to be poisonous, experiments were tried with portions 

 of this fluid on the tongue of a frog and common turtle, but without 

 any apparent result. The tail is long and vertically compressed, as 

 in all such aquatic animals, so as to serve as a rudder and means of 

 propulsion in the water. Amphibious as the animal undoubtedly is, it 

 was never tested otherwise than by observing it at intervals coming 

 to the surface of the water, apparently to take in a mouthful of fresh 

 air, as it invariably opened its mouth for an inhalation. It is dear 

 Ihowever, from the construction of the fringed braneliice, that it could 

 not remain long out of the water without serious injury to those 

 delieate formations. 



To this it may be further added that the animal seemed harmless 

 and inoffensive. It did not avoid the light, nor seem to withdraw 

 itself suddenly on the approach of an observer, as though actuated 

 by fear. It would open its mouth when irritated, but without seem- 

 ingly making any effort to snap or bite. On the 8th of July it died, 

 having liyed about two weeks from the time of its eapture. 



The speeimen under examination evidently belongs to the Peren- 

 aiibranchiate group of Batrachians. Besides the genus Proteus, this 

 group includes also the Axolotl, Siren, and Menobranchus. The Meno- 

 branchus lateralis, a genus believed t© be peculiar to North America, 

 is found in the Mississippi, and in the great lakes, Superior, Huron, 

 Michigan, Erie, and Ontario.* 



Major Delafield, whose attention was epeeially directed to the 

 Menobranchiis, obtained some specimens from Lake St. Clair, more 

 than thirty year* ago, and he states that the animal frequently 



* Dr. K. Boys, of Barrie, in a letter to Professor Croft, in reference to the specimen exhi- 

 bited to the Cauailian Institute by Mr. Hodgins, remarks -. " The animal is common enough 

 an Like Ontario-, I generally used to find a specimen or two every season thrown upon the 

 shore killed by the boys. It seems to inhabit chiefly the vicinity of the wharves in Toronto i 

 and I lhujk J ras told that the llshcrmen often catch it in dragging the point of the Island." 



