SIREN C(ECrLIA. 97 



Its size is small^ and its thickness not equal to that of 

 the little, finger. The sirens of North America^ on ac- 

 count of the similarity of their respiration^ are arranged 

 by Mr. Bell in the same order as the last. These sin- 

 gular creatures, which, with the former, were once sup- 

 posed to be the tadpoles of some unknown reptiles, are 

 now known to be perfect " after their kind ; " and to 

 be provided at all periods of their existence with ex- 

 ternal branchia and internal lungs. They are, how- 

 ever, readily separated from the amphibians already 

 mentioned, by having only two fore feet, the hinder 

 ones being altogether absent ; neither is there any ves- 

 tige of a pelvis. The body is so greatly lengthened, that 

 the siren bears a strong resemblance to an eel : the head is 

 also depressed, the eyes very small, and the ears covered 

 by the external skin : the lower jaw is provided with 

 small teeth, and several rows are in the palate ; but the 

 upper jaw has none. It was for a long time supposed 

 that only one species existed, named by Linnaeus Siren 

 lacertina; but very recently science has become in- 

 debted to M. Leconte, a distinguished naturalist of North 

 America, for the discovery and publication of two others ; 

 both of which, like the former, inhabit the muddy 

 swamps of South Carolina. They feed upon earth- 

 worms, aquatic insects, &c., in search of which they 

 mostly burrow in the mud. It is almost unnecessary to 

 advert to the opinions, formerly entertained, respecting 

 the sirens being imperfect salamanders. M. Cuvier has 

 fully confirmed the supposition of Linnaeus, and all the 

 American naturalists; since he has demonstrated that 

 these reptiles could never, from their particular organis- 

 ation, have hind feet, nor could they lose their gills. 

 The siren, then, is a true Amphibian, respiring, like a 

 fish in water, by its gills ; or, upon dry land, like a 

 reptile, by its lungs. 



(102.) The Ccecilia, or blind newt, has been ar- 

 ranged by Cuvier at the end of the serpents, con- 

 trary, however, to the opinions of most other naturalists, 

 who consider it as more properly belonging to the am- 



VOL. II. H 



