•t 
22 
holds very fast by means of liis strong teeth. ^ I ra- 
ther doubt the correctness of this relation ; not mere- 
ly because, in my frequent inquiries concerning the 
manners, &c. of the Siren, nothing of the kind has 
ever been mentioned to me, but because the mouth of 
the animal does not seem to be peculiarly adapted 
for the reception of such very large objects ; and a- 
bove all, because he ahvays swallows his food entire, 
and very rapidly. But a serpent, even admitting that 
it were not one third the size or bulk of the Siren, 
could not be swallowed without some delay : and 1 
think it evident, from the peculiar situation of the 
heart of the Siren, and from the structure of the ad- 
jacent parts, that any considerable delay in the re- 
ception of its food into the stomach, would essential- 
ly interfere with the movements of the heart and ar- 
teries. The provision which nature has made for a 
speedy deglutition, is indeed admirable. 
I have been informed, that the Siren feeds upon 
grass-hoppers (grylli) and similar insects, which 
either accidentally fall into the waters, or which in- 
habit them. He doubtless feeds upon lumbrici, and 
other vermes; and I presume upon small fish.- — 
Whether he eats vegetable matters I know not : but 
1 suspect he does. 
1 feed my Siren upon lumbrici, pieces of meat, &c. 
especially the former. He is an extremely vora- 
cious animal, particularly in the warmer weather. 
Yet, like many other voracious animals, he is ca- 
pable of living, for many days, without any food at 
* “ Habitat, Sec. serpentibus victitans, quos validis firmisque 
dentibus arripit et tenet.” Systema Naturae. 
