6 
blance, in several respects^ to tlie Siren licertana, 
and some other Sirens. This species to which I 
have given the name of horrida (Salamandra horri- 
daj) is occasionally seen two feet, or somewhat more, 
in length.^ I have carefully examined it 5 and I 
candidly acknowledge, that, on the first rapid glance 
of it, I thought it possible, that it might be the long- 
looked-for imago of the Siren. But a few minutes 
inquiries very fully convinced me, that the two ani- 
mals are so totally distinct from each other, that we 
cannot, on any solid grounds, refer them to the same 
Species. Besides, they inhabit (generally speaking, 
at least) very different parts of K orth America. The 
Salamandra horrida has never, so far as I can learn, 
been seen in any of those parts of Carolina or Greor- / 
gia, in which the Sirens abound. Moreover, the 
waters which it inhabits are, 1 think very different. 
It prefers the clearer creeks, and other streams, which 
fall into the lakes, rivers, &c. 
I have now before me a living Siren, which has 
been in my possession for almost one year. During 
this period, 1 have carefully inspected it, almost 
every day. But I cannot perceive, that any very ^ 
essential change has taken place, in the appearance 
of the animal. The figure, the structure, and the 
offices, or functions, of the branchiae continue to be 
the same. The two feet remain precisely as they 
were ; and no posterior set of feet has yet made its 
appearance. Now, if our Siren were nothing more 
♦ As this is the largest species of the genus, yet known, it may be 
denominated Salamandra gigantea, or S. maxima. The common 
names of this animal, in those parts of the United States, &c. in 
•Which it abounds, are “ Alligator,” and “ Water-Lizard.” 
