LECTURE VJL 
32 
spots ; the under parts bright orange with larger 
and more irregular black spots. The male of this 
species is distinguished by a rising crest along the 
back, and by its broad finny tail, ending in a 
sharpened point. It is one of the most conve- 
nient subjects for exhibiting a general view of the 
circulation of the blood by the microscope. 
Having thus given a general survey of the 
Lizards, I shall mention an animal of a somewhat 
dubious cast, and which has for many years been 
known to naturalists under the name of the Siren. 
It was first discovered by the late ingenious Dr, 
Garden, of Charlestown in South Carolina, who 
not being able to refer it to any known aninial, 
sent a specimen to Linneeus for his opinion. Lin- 
nccus was so struck by the singularity of its ap- 
pearance and its characters, that he instituted for 
it a new ordef of the amphibia under the title of 
Meantes. The Siren of Carolina has the general 
appearance of an Eel, as to size, but has on each 
side the neck a pair of ramified breathing-organs 
or branchia;, resembling those of water lizards in 
their imperfect state : it has also two feet only, 
which are furnished with small claws. Some have 
been inclined to suppose this animal no other 
