318 Observations on Amphiuma. 
The eggs of the Amphiume are the most remarkable that I know 
of as occurring among the Amphibians. The young, which now 
constitute the whole contents of the eggs, are surrounded by a trans- 
parent capsule about as thick as writing paper, and these capsules 
are connected by a slender cord of similar substance. It is as if 
the gelatinous mass surrounding the eggs of the toad should become 
condensed into a solid covering and a connecting cord. How many 
strings there are of these eggs I cannot determine with certainty, 
on account of their being inextricably intertwined ; but, since there 
are four ends visible, there are probably two strings, one for each 
oviduct. For the same reason I have not been able to count the 
eggs. A careful estimate makes at fewest 150 of them. 
The eggs, in their present state, are nearly globular, and average 
about 9 mm. in diameter. Their distance apart on the string varies 
from 5 to 12 mm.; fourteen of them were counted on a piece of | 
the string nine inches long. At this rate the whole mass would - 
form a string about eight feet long. The connecting cord varies — 
from 1.5 mm. to one-half that diameter, The eggs greatly resem- 
ble a string of large beads. | 
The young are coiled within the capsules in a spiral form. On 
removing them and straightening them they measure about 45 mm. 
in length. The color is dusky above, with indications of a darker 
dorsal stripe, and on each side a similar darker band. Below, the 
color is pale. The body is proportionally stouter than in the adult 
and the head broader. The fore and the hind feet have each three 
toes. ; 
The young possess conspicuous gills; and, since they are evi- 
dently near the period of hatching, it is but fair to suppose that 
they would continue to retain these gills for some time after exclu- 
sion. The gills are three in number on each side, and are simply 
pinnate in form. The median gill is longest, measuring some 9mm. 
in length. From its main axis there arise about ten delicate twigs 
The other gills are somewhat shorter, and give origin to about eight 
lateral twigs each. In all these filaments may be seen the blood- 
