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AMPHIUMA TRIDACTYLUM.— Cuvier. 



Plate XXXI. 



Characters. Anterior extremities with three fingers; posterior with three toes. 



Synontmes. Amphiuma tridactylum, Cuvier, Mem. du Mus. d'Hist. Nat, torn. xiv. p. 17. 

 Amphiuma tridactylum, Harlan, Med. and Phys. Res., p. 86. 



Description. "The description of the Amphiuma means will apply in almost 

 all respects to the species with three toes. Its general form is the same; its 

 length is twenty times its diameter; the length of its head is nearly one-fourteenth 

 of the body; the tail constitutes exactly one-fourth. In a word, in order to dis- 

 tinguish them, it is necessary to confine our attention to the extremities, when we 

 observe that the hands and feet are divided each into three toes, perfectly distinct, 

 which constitutes the only visible external character." 



Habits. I am unacquainted with the habits of the Amphiuma tridactylum, but 

 suppose them to be similar to those of the Amphiuma means. 



Geographical Distribution. This reptile is found in Louisiana, from which 

 state Cuvier received his first specimen. They also inhabit Mississippi and 

 Arkansas, as Dr. Pitcher observed them in Neorho river, and presented the 

 Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia with a fine specimen procured near 

 Fort Gibson. 



General Remarks. It is to Cuvier that we are indebted for the description of 

 this animal. 

 Vol. V.— 13 



