14 
I say, has compelled me to hesitate ; because, as will 
be seen more fully hereafter, the Proteus and the 
Siren are most nearly allied to each other, in their 
structure, in their functions, and their manners. 
But it seems highly probable to me, that future in- 
quiries will ascertain, that the animal of Carniola, 
like that of North America, is occasionally an inha- 
bitant of the land (especially of the wetter grounds,) 
as well as of the water. Should this not prove to be 
the case, I shall (with some degree of hesitation, 
indeed) relinquish my present and favourite opinion, 
that the Siren is truly (I mean in the common, as 
well as in the scientific, acceptation of the word) an 
Amphibious animal ; and that therefore, nature has 
bestowed upon it that complex and varied structure, 
which renders the history of this reptile so interest- 
ing a subject in the eye of the philosophical zoolo- 
gist.* 
You observe, that I speak of the nostrils of the 
Siren. These apertures, in the American animal, 
are very distinct, large and patulous ; and it is, t 
think, easy to see, that they are essentially sub- 
servient to the animaPs respiration. In this 
* It is by no means an idea of my own, that the Siren lives both 
in the water and upon the land. The fact was mentioned by Dr. 
Garden, in his original communications to Linnaeus, respecting the 
Carolina animal. “ Habitat hoc animal in Caj'olincs australi'i uli- 
srinosis aquosis, ubi vivit tarn in aqua, quam extra j nam ex aquis 
adscendit in truncos & ramos undis illapsos : cum exsciccantur pa- 
ludes, ubi hospitatur, iis nempe anni tempestatibus, quibus heic per 
nonnullos menses non pluit, canit voce querula, anatum juniorum 
fere simile, sed acuta raagis atque clara, ut U Garden in litteris 
suis etjam narrat.” See the dissertation entitled “ Siren Lacerti- 
na,” in the Amoenitates Academicae, vol. vii p 322, Erlangae : 
1789. — Although this memorable dissertation bears the name of 
Abraham Oesterdam. it was^ I presume, principally composed by 
Linnaeus himself. 
