9 
which have been preserved, for several months, in 
strong spirit of wine, or in any similar fluid, become 
so greatly contracted and diminished in their size, 
that a rash observer would almost be induced to be- 
lieve, from this appearance of the appendages, that 
they do actually become obliterated, at some particu- 
lar period of the animal’s life. 
The Siren, as Giarden and Linnaeus originally as- 
serted, breathes both by branchiae, and by lungs. It 
breathes, however, much more frequently by the for- 
mer, than by the latter, of these sets of organs. In- 
deed, while the animal remains in the water, the 
branchiae are almost incessantly in motion : but the 
movements are frequently merely slightly tremulous: 
at other times, they are much more considerable, and 
undergo a strong, convulsive -like, collapse. D uring 
these more considerable movements, one can plainly 
discern the three pectinated apertures, under the 
branchiae, rapidly opening and closing. 
The under surfaces of the branchiae, especially 
when the animal throws them, in a curved position 
forward, exposing them more to the light and air, 
have a deep, or rather sublivid-red, colour.* I am 
pretty confident, that this colour is more conspicuous 
now than when 1 first received the Siren. Even this 
* 
* At particular times, the branchiae are disposed in such a man- 
ner, that they appear to be entirely of this colour ; we see nothing 
of the dark slate colour of their upper surface A naturalist who 
had not been in the habit of attentively examining, at various periods, 
the Siren, might, from this temporary appearance of the appenda- 
ges, seize upon the circumstance, and employ it as a permanent and 
specific character, in the description of the animal. — The bran- 
chiae of the Proteus anguinus are said to be “ of a deep blood co- 
lour.” Schreibers. “ A.ppeudiculis branchiarum corallinus.” Schnei- 
der. Perhaps, it viull be found that this is not the constant colour. 
9 . 
-y$r 
