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THE GIGANTIC SALAMANDER. 
crawling batracMan with perpetual gills, but that it is in its preliminary or tadpole stage of 
existence. Mr. Baird makes the following sensible remarks on this subject : — 
“It so much resembles the larva of Arnbly stoma pwnetatum , in both external form and 
internal structure, that I cannot but believe it to be the larva of some gigantic species of this 
genus. It differs from all other perennibranchiates in possessing the larval character of the 
gular or opercular flap, this being unattached to the adjacent integuments, and free to the 
extremity of the chin. The non-discovery of the adult is no argument against its existence. 
I had caught hundreds of the very remarkable larva of Pseudotriton salmoneus before I found 
an adult. Until then I knew nowhere to refer the animal, supposing this species to exist no 
nearer than the mountains of New York and Vermont. ” 
LARVA OF AXOLOTL. 
As may be seen from the illustrations, the gills or branchiae are quite as large in proportion 
as those of the newt in its larval state. They are furnished with fringes. 
The Axolotl inhabits Mexico, where it is tolerably plentiful, and in some places is found 
in such numbers that it is sold in the markets for the table. It frequents the lake surround- 
ing the city of Mexico, and, according to Humboldt, is also found in the cold waters of certain 
mountain lakes at a considerable elevation above the sea. 
The color of this remarkable creature is rather dark grayish-brown, covered thickly with 
black spots. The length varies from eight to ten inches. 
Another small order now comes before us, containing a few species, and only two very 
small families. In all these creatures the body is long and lizard-like, the legs four and 
feeble, and the gills internal, but permanent throughout life. 
- Our first example of this family is the now celebrated Gigantic Salamander. 
This is undoubtedly one of the least attractive of the vertebrate animals, being dull in 
habits, sombre in color, with a sort of half -finished look about it, and not possessing even that 
savage ugliness which makes many a hideous creature attractive in spite of its uncomeliness. 
It is a native of Japan, and even in that country seems to be rare, a large sum being asked for 
