4l8 DESCRIPTION OF THE MUSEUM. 



cabinet; the largest of which is from i5 to 18 

 inches in length, of a deep blue colous, and in- 

 habits America. Amongst the tadpoles of the 

 tritons we shall observe that of the crested tri- 

 ton ; the branchiae of which remained on the 

 animal, although its metamorphosis had been in 

 other respects completed. 



We see close to the salamanders and tritons 

 the axolotl of Mexico, presented by M. de Hum- 

 bolt. M. Cuvier, who published a description of 

 this animal, after having dissected every part of 

 it, could not decide whether it was a perfect ani- 

 mal, or a large species of salamander. Next to the 

 axolotl, is the anguine siren {proteus anguinus) ; it 

 retains during life the external branchiae, which 

 the salamanders preserve only when they are 

 young. This singular animal inhabits the sub- 

 terraneous waters of the duchy of Garniola in 

 Austria, Dr. Schreibcrs, director of the imperial 

 museum of Vienna, made our MjLiseum a present 

 of a good representation in wax of the proteus 

 anguinus, several specimens of which are pre- 

 served in spirits of wine. The last genus of the 

 siren, is the eel- shaped siren ; its branchiae are 

 exactly like those of the proteus ; but it has no 

 hind legs ; it inhabits the rivers of Carolina, and 

 feeds on insects. The specimens we see here 

 were sent by M. L'Herminier. 



