280 
LIFE, IN ITS HIGHER FORMS. 
single egg in tlie duplicature of tho folded part of the 
leaf, which is thereby glued most securely together, 
and the egg is thus effectually protected from injury. 
The manner in which this is effected is highly interesting, 
and may be readily observed by any one. As soon as 
the female has in this way deposited a single egg, she 
quits the leaf ; and after the lapse of a short time seeks 
another, there to place another egg.” * 
Passing from these familiar creatures, we find in foreign 
countries a few forms, which, though repulsive in aspect 
and manners to the common observer, are of high interest 
to the physiologist, because they manifest a still closer 
affinity with the class we last considered. The Hellbender 
( Menobranchus ) of the United States, tho Axolote ( Axolotus ) 
of Mexico, and the Proteus of Austria, are large Newts, 
which never lose their gills through life, but permanently 
perform an aquatic respiration simultaneously with an 
aerial one. In all these animals, the limbs are reduced 
to a rudimentary condition ; and in the Siren of Carolina, 
which also has a permanent double respiration, the hind 
limbs are totally wanting. Finally, the Amphiuma of the 
same region, which has an orifice in the neck, but has no 
external gills at any period of life, has the appearance of 
an Eel, with four minute rudimentary feet ; and the bones 
of the spine present on each surface that concavity which 
belongs to tho vertebra of Fishes. 
Of these creatures one of tho most interesting is the 
Proteus (H. anguinus), which inhabits the waters of great 
subterranean cavaties in the limestone formation of 
Southern Eui’ope. One of tho most romantic and splendid 
* Op. eit., pp. 123, 122 . 
