Gti Mr. Barnes on the Doubtful Reptils. 



application of the several known mechanical principles here- 

 in described, to effect the object above specified. 



I. DOOLITTLE. 



Bennington Iron Works, April 24, 1 827. 



Art. IX. — Note on the doubtful reptils, by Daniel H. Barnes, 

 in a letter to the Editor. 



TO PROFESSOR SILLIMAN. 



New-York, July 12, 1827. 



Dear Sir, — Since the publication of the paper on 'Batra- 

 eians,' in the 11th volume of your Journal, the question con- 

 cerning the maturity of several of our reptils which were for- 

 merly " doubtful," seems to be settled. The Axolotl is ac- 

 knowledged to be mature, and the Proteus of the Lakes is no 

 longer a larva, as indeed was proved before the publication 

 of that paper. On the subject of the Proteus some new light 

 has lately been shed, which it is the principal object of this 

 letter to communicate. 



When I visited Lake George and Lake Champlain two 

 years ago, I made very particular inquiry after the "water 

 Lizards. ,, They are not found in Lake George, but a water- 

 man there gave me information that they were caught at the 

 falls of the Onion River, in Vermont. By asking a variety of 

 questions on other subjects, I satisfied myself of his intelli- 

 gence and accuracy, and I went to the falls with strong hopes 

 of obtaining Schneider's animal. I inquired for fishermen, 

 and was directed to one who was deemed expert. He in- 

 formed me that he had very often caught six or seven in a 

 night. As it was not the proper season, I engaged him to 

 search, and if possible, obtain the animal for me. This in- 

 formation I communicated to my friend Mr. G. W. Benedict, 

 Professor of Chemistry in the University of Vermont, and the 

 following extract of a letter, lately received from him, will 

 show that he has pursued the subject to a very gratifying 

 result. 



Burlington, July 6, 1827. 

 Dear Sir, 



I received early in the spring a copy of , your paper on the 

 doubtful reptiles, for which I thank you. As to the specimens 



