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XXII. An account of the organs of generation of the Mexican 
Proteus, called by the natives Axolotl. By Sir Everarb 
Home, Bart. V. P. R. S. 
Read June 17, 1824. 
That the Proteus from Germany, as well as that from 
Carolina, is an animal in its perfect state, I consider to have 
been proved by Baron Cuvier, in his account of the skeletons 
of these animals ; and when I found that their vertebras were 
cupped, which is not the case in the Aquatic Salamander, 
to which in many respects they are nearly allied, that cir- 
cumstance alone, with me, distinguished, them from all the 
lizard tribe. 
Having had the opportunity of examining the vertebras of 
the Proteus from Mexico, and finding them also cupped, I 
could have no doubt of its belonging to the same tribe, and 
consequently an animal in it's perfect state. This, however, 
required proofs, that could only be afforded by an examina- 
tion of the organs of generation in a developed state. 
When Mr. Bullock went to Mexico, I requested him to 
bring me some specimens of this animal, and to collect infor- 
mation respecting it's habits, more particularly its mode of 
generation. 
In compliance with my request, Mr. Bullock brought me 
several specimens : they were found in a lake three miles 
from the city of Mexico. The temperature of the water is 
never below 6 o°, and the elevation of the lake above the 
