28 
But in constructing our tables of the affinities of 
animals, we should be governed by the greatest num- 
ber of affinities. With this view of the subject, com- 
paring the external forms, the internal fabric, the 
places of residence, or habitation ; the manners or 
habits ; the food, &c. of the Sirens and Salaman- 
ders, it appears clearly to me, that the most proper 
place, in a natural arrangement of the amphibia, for 
the genus Syren, is immediately after the genera La- 
certa and Selamandra. This arrangement will be 
thought the more proper, since we have now disco- 
vered Sirens with four feet : such is the Louisiana 
animal, even though it should be contended, that the 
Protei of Europe be generically distinct from the 
American animal. Thus, though it should be deem- 
ed proper, necessary, or convenient, to retain the oi> 
der Meantes, we should be obliged to alter a part of 
the character of the order, as it was established by 
Linnseus. W e shall no longer say Pedes bini.’’ 
I am rather surprised, that professor Gmelin 
should think, that the proper position of the Protei, 
admitting them to be perfect animals, is immediately 
after the genus Rana and before the genus Draco.* 
In regard to the name of Siren, which Linnaeus 
originally bestowed upon this Carolina animal, and 
which, had he lived, he would, in all probability, have 
bestowed also upon the Proteus anguinus (of which 
it seems, he had some knowledge ;) and upon those 
Si vera sintsui generis perfecta animalia protei, a Soelmanno, 
otnni anni tempore observati, tritonius, a Schranckio, et anguinus,' 
avnbo in lacubiis Austriae interioris a Laurenti reperti, enumerati, 
delineati, huic loco inserendi mihi quidem videntur.” ir'ystema Nar 
turae. Tom i. Pars iii p 1056. 
