SIREN, in natural history, a genus of Amphibia, of the order Reptiles, or of the order Meantes, an order instituted by Linnzus on account of this genus of ani mals alone. Generic character : body naked, with two feet, and without a tail ; feet with arms and nails.
S. lacertina, or the eel-shaped siren, is most nearly allied to the lizard tribe, but differs from it in having only two feet, and those armed with claws; the body is shaped like an eel ; its colour is a dark brown, speckled with white ; it is often more than two feet long, and inhabits the stagnant waters of South Carolina; some times, however, quitting water for the land. This curious animal was discover ed by the ingenious Dr. Garden, who pre sented several specimens of it to Linnaus, and excited the attention and curiosity of that great man, on this particular subject, to so high a degree, that he asserted few things would more gratify him, than a par ticular knowledge of the nature and ha bits of a creature so extraordinary. The siren, if thrown with great force upon the ground, will break in several places, re sembling, in this instance, a species of the anguis. See Amphibia, Plate II. fig. 2.
S. anguina, or the anguine siren, is a native of a particular lake in Carniola, from which the water regularly drains of during the summer; during which time the bottom produces corn, or pasture.
In autumn, the water returns with consi derable rapidity, flowing principally from springs in the neighbouring mountains. In this lake, this siren is found of the length of eleven inches, and of a pale rose colour. It has both fore and hind legs. Its movements are extremely slow and weak when it is placed in a vessel, whether with or without water; but in its native situation it is far more active. It is, by some, supposed to be the larva of a li zard, and by others imagined to be a com plete animal. Its habits are predatory, and it subsists on the smaller inhabitants of the water.
S. pisciformis, or the fish-formed siren, is concluded to be a native of Mexico. In its general appearance it greatly resem bles the larva of the paradoxical frog ; it possesses, however, gills with outward openings, and thus resembles a fish. The feet are unfurnished with the slightest degree of web. Shaw appears strongly inclined to the idea of its being the tad pole, or larva of some large lizard.