NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 185 
note a few points of structure, I removed it from the alcohol 
in which it had been completely submerged for at least 
20 hours, and had no sooner placed in on the table than it 
began to open its big mouth, vigorously sway its tail to and 
fro, and give other undoubted signs of vitality.’’ 
The Congo Snake, or Amphiuma, (Amphiuma means), is 
a creature which closely resembles a thick-tailed snake. 
A close examination, however, discloses a tiny pair of front 
legs; and far back, well toward the end of the tail, a small 
pair of hind legs appear. These are about as valuable to 
the animal as the tiger’s clavicle is to him. There are but 
two species belonging to this strange genus, both of which 
are found in the stagnant waters of our southeastern states. 
Still lower than the amphiuma, is The Mud Eel, (Siren lacer- 
tina), of the southeastern quarter of the United States, 
which possesses small external gills, and only one pair of 
legs, which are in front. 
The Menobranchus, or Mud Puppy, (Necturus maculatus), 
possesses external gills and four legs, and inhabits many of 
the rivers of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, the great lakes 
and also the lakes of northern New York. It is often taken 
in fisherman’s nets. 
THE INSECT COLLECTION.* 
A collection of insects was formed and placed on exhibi- 
tion during the early. summer of 1910. While this first 
exhibit was not elaborate, it excited such interest that it 
was decided to enlarge it, by taking advantage of the sea- 
son which then was at its best for insect collecting. 
A series of long shelves has been built in the Pavilion 
between the Small-Mammal House and the Ostrich House, 
and thirty-five glass-fronted cages, together with a row of 
aquaria for aquatic specimens, were installed. A number 
of collecting trips were made into the country within a 
radius of twenty-five miles of the city, with such marked 
success, that by the middle of July the collection was pro- 
nounced by a number of visitors to equal in interest any 
exhibition of the kind heretofore attempted in this country, 
or in Europe. In view of the marked interest created by 
this display, the insect collection will hereafter be a perma- 
nent feature of the Park. 
*This interesting collection was formed, installed and labeled by 
Curator R. L. Ditmars, with the assistance of Mr. Charles Snyder and 
other members of the Department of Reptiles. 
