and Structure of the Proteus Anguinus . 93 
a little transversely ; and the intestines are evidently divisible 
into large and small, and are, moreover, furnished with fatty 
appendages. A general idea of the relative size and position 
of these several viscera, is exhibited in Plate VII. Fig. 1. 
4. Of certain Opinions of MM. Schreibers and Cuvier , re- 
garding the length and figure of the Alimentary Canal. 
Before quitting these organs, it is proper to notice a difference 
of opinion between MM. Schreibers and Cuvier, with respect 
to the length and figure of the alimentary canal. The former 
exhibits figures, from which we learn that the intestines, before 
they open externally, make several convolutions ; the latter, on 
the contrary, affirms, that the alimentary canal proceeds almost 
in a straight line from the mouth to the anus. A simple state- 
ment of the appearances exhibited by the several protei examin- 
ed by the authors, and their observations thereon, will account 
for this disparity of opinion, and explain its cause. 
The three first protei they dissected, had been preserved 
about seven months in ardent spirits, (brandy,) and in all the 
three the intestines were convoluted. They then killed and 
injected a living proteus, and immediately afterwards opened the 
abdomen, and found the intestines, as in the former examples, to 
possess a convoluted form. The following summer they re- 
ceived eight other protei, five of which had died on the journey, 
and were put into spirits, and the three others arrived in a very 
lively condition. They proceeded at once to anatomise the five 
dead ones ; and found in all of them the intestinal canal almost 
strait, as described by Cuvier. Perplexed by these opposite 
appearances, they formed several conjectures as to their cause ; 
but these afforded little satisfaction to the mind, when, in the 
midst of their doubts, accident at length enabled them to dis- 
cover the truth. In the succeeding autumn, they obtained a 
fresh supply of living protei, similar in all respects to those 
which had arrived in May. One of these was killed and inject- 
ed ; and afterwards, on opening the abdomen, the intestines ap- 
peared convoluted, and similar in length to those of the protei 
first examined. These facts being observed and recorded, the 
animal was put into spirits for a second examination at a future 
