Congo Snare (Amphiuma Means Linn), one of the batrachian family of the amphiumida, destitute of gills except at the earliest periods of life, breathing by exposed spiracles or branchial openings on the sides of the neck, and undergoing, according to Holbrook, no metamorphosis. Its general aspect is snake-like; the head large, lips thick and extensile, snout depressed and rounded, neck contracted with a transverse fold at the throat; numerous small teeth on the maxillary and palate bones; a single spiracle on each side of the neck; limbs four, the anterior very small, with two fingers, and the posterior still smaller, with two toes. It is found in the southern and southwestern United States, attaining a length of 28 inches, of which the head is 2 and the tail 6 inches; deep bluish black above, tinged with violet, lips and throat lighter, and under surface dark purple. These animals live in muddy waters, or in the mud, burrowing in the ditches of the rice fields, and feeding on small fish, mollusks, and insects; they are sometimes found on land, apparently seeking a favorable locality.

They are considered by the southern negroes as highly venomous, but are really entirely harmless. - In the A. tridactylum (Cuv.), the anterior fingers are three and the posterior also; the different number of fingers is the principal distinction between this and the other species.