The Inhabitants of the Aquarium 273 



active in the evening and at night. It can 

 be bought from dealers at a low price and 

 will live well, both in the aquarium and in 

 the Terra-aquarium. 



The Hellbender (Cryptobranchus allc- 

 ghanicnsis) comes from the Ohio valley 

 and from some of the Central States. In 

 color and shape it is decidedly ugly. Black- 

 ish or very dark grayish brown all over, 

 it is not easily distinguished from the 

 muddy bottom on which it often rests dur- 

 ing the daytime. The body is broad, flat 

 and very flabby, so that it is not altogether 

 pleasant to handle. The exterior respira- 

 tory organs are missing, two plain openings 

 taking their place. The tail is high and 

 narrow and forms an excellent rudder, serv- 

 ing with the four strong legs, to propel quite 

 rapidly their apparently clumsy and help- 

 less owner. Aquatic in its habits, it cannot 

 live for any length of time outside the 

 water; it can be kept for years in the aqua- 

 rium, where, although not beautiful, it will 



