98 Batrachians. REPTILES. Batkachians. 
gated and cylindrical in shape, and the tail, which is 
decaying trees, and they are frequently so numerous 
round, is nearly twice its length. The hinder extre- 
that many are found under the same tree. Fallen 
mities are nearly twice the size of the fore ones, and 
trees, indeed, seem to be the favourite residence of 
are terminted by five toes, while those of the front are 
these animals, probably, says Mr. Holbrook, because 
only four in number. It lives most of its time con- 
the insects they prey upon choose the same locality. 
cealed under rooks, or under the bark of fallen and 
F 
After rain, however, they emerge from their place of 
ig. 27, 
The Glutinous Salamander (Plethodon glutinosum). 
concealment, as also in the dusk of the evening, when 
after the manner of slewed eels, and served up with a 
they sally forth in search of food. Mr. Holbrook con- 
rich sauce. Hernandez, the Spanish historian of the 
siders the Glutinous Salamander to be the most com- 
conquest of Mexico, is the first writer who described 
mon of all the North American Salamanders, and the 
this animal. The Spaniards of that period found it in 
most widely diffused — fig. 27. The specific name has 
great abundance in the lake, and Hernandez expressly 
been given to it in consequence of the animal exuding 
mentions it as having been used by the ancient Mexi- 
from its skin a quantity of glutinous matter when it is 
cans as an article of food, and says it was considered 
taken up in the hand. 
by them as an aphrodisiac ; that its flesh was whole- 
Want of space prevents tis noticing other species of 
some and agreeable, and tasted like eel. Considerable 
this family ; hut we cannot dismiss this sub-order of 
difference of opinion exists among naturalists as to the 
Tailed Batrachians, or Urodeles, without particularly 
true nature of this curious animal. Some regai'd it as 
mentioning a curious animal, which, in the opinion of 
a perfect form, and include it amongst the Sirenidce^ or 
many naturalists, is only the immature form of a large 
those Amphibians which retain their gills throughout 
species of Salamander. This creature is the Axolotl 
their whole existence ; while others consider it only as 
of Mexico — represented in Plate 4, fig. 2. 
an immature form, the larva or tadpole state of some 
THE AXOLOTL {Axolotes Mexicanus) is distinguished 
hitherto undescribed and gigantic tailed Batrachian. 
by having gills formed of three long ramified or branch- 
Cuvier at first regarded it as a larva, but afterwards 
like processes on each side of the neck, teeth in both 
admitted it amongst the Perennibranchiate species. 
jaws and on the vomerine bones ; four toes on the 
As Dr. Gray, in his Catalogue of Amphibia, remarks, 
anterior, and five on the posterior extremities. The 
the skull differs veiy little from that of the young 
tail, which is nearlj' as long as the body, is compressed 
Triton marmoratus, which had not gained its second 
on the sides like that of the Water-newt, and keeled 
pair of legs. Dr. Baird also, an able American erpe- 
on both upper and under edges, the crest or keel on 
tologist, says that it resembles so much the tadpole of 
the upper edge being prolonged on the back as far as 
a species of the family Plethodontidce (the Ambystoma 
between the shoulders, but gradually becoming nar- 
Carolince), both in external form and internal struc- 
rower as it ascends from the tail. The head is broad 
ture, that he could not but believe it to be the larva 
and flat, the nose blunt, and the eyes situated near the 
of some gigantic species of that genus. True, it has 
muzzle. The largest specimens measure about eight 
been long known to naturalists, and the specimens 
or nine inches in length. The ground colour is a uni- 
collected, as well as those sold in the markets, always 
form deep-brown, thickly mottled both on the upper 
retain the same form and structure ; but, as Dr. Baird 
and under surfaces of the head and body, limbs, tail, 
justly observes, “ the non-discovery of the adult is no 
and caudal fins, with numerous small black spots. 
argument against its existence. I had caught hundreds 
The legs are short, and the toes are free and uncon- 
of the very remarkable larva of Pseudotriton {Spelerpes 
nected by intermediate membranes. The Axolotl is 
salrnonea) near Carlisle before I found an adult. Until 
very common in the Lake of Mexico, and is found 
then I knew nowhere to refer the animal, supposing 
also in mountain lakes at a considerable elevation 
this species to exist no nearer than the mountains of 
above the plains surrounding the city. At the present 
New York and Vermont.” 
day it is commonly sold in the markets of Mexico, and 
We must now pass on to the consideration of the 
is esteemed a luxury by the inhabitants. It is dressed 
second order of Amphibia, the False Lizards. 
