TEE SIREN , i 
179 
It is also called Big Water Lizard by the inhabitants along the Ohio and other interior 
portions. This as well as the other members of the group is harmless, though seemingly 
ferocious and venomous. Specimens were kept in the New York Aquarium, and much 
additional knowledge was thereby gained of its habits. 
The second family of this order is represented by its typical species, the Congo Snake. 
This curious creature is a native of America, and is found rather plentifully near New 
Orleans, in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. It is fond of burrowing in mud, and will 
often descend to a depth of three feet below the surface of the soil, acting indeed more like an 
earth-worm than a vertebrate animal. Many of these creatures have been accidentally dug out 
while deepening or clearing ditches. The negroes are much afraid of the Congo Snake, and 
think it to be poisonous, a belief which has its only foundation in fear, generated by 
ignorance. 
The legs are extremely small and feeble, and there are only two toes on each foot. Its 
color is dark blackish-gray above, and lighter beneath. Another species, the Three-toed 
MENOPOME. —Protonopsis horrida. 
Congo Snake (. Murcenopsis triddciylus ), is much like the common Congo Snake, from which 
it may be distinguished by possessing three toes on each foot instead of two. The length of 
both these creatures is from two to three feet. These two species constitute the whole of the 
family to which they belong. 
The Tailed Batrachians (Proteidce) are now regarded as differing sufficiently from near 
forms to belong to a distinct order. The family Proteidce — Mud Puppies — embraces one 
genus and one species. 
The Necturus is called in the Middle States Mud Puppy, Water Bog, Menobranchus, 
and Dog-eish. It is common north and west of the Alleghanies, and is abundant in the Great 
Lake region. 
The great Siren ( Siren lacertina ) is a species consisting of the entire family Sirenidcp . . 
This creature has a most remarkably long, eel-like form. 
