240 VERTEBRATA: BATRACHIA OR BATRACHIANS. 



Spring, when the}' live in ponds and pools, where they go 

 to lay their eggs. 



The eggs of Toads are laid in long glairy " strings ; " those of Frogs 

 in large glairy masses. 



SUB-SECTION III. 

 THE ORDER OF URODELA OR SALAMANDERS, ETC. 



BATRACHIANS of this order have a tail at all periods 

 of their life, and in most species four feet. The name 

 comes from the Greek oura, a tail, and delos, manifest. 



The body of the TJrodelans is long, and more or less 

 lizard-like in general outline, and covered with a skin 

 which is adherent to the muscles. They have no sternum, 

 and the ribs are rudimentary ; and the fore feet of the 

 young are developed before the hind ones (see Fig. 266). 



In their adult state, most Salamanders proper live upon 

 the land, going into the water only at the season in which 

 they lay their eggs. Some kinds are terrestrial through- 

 out life, laying their eggs under stones and old logs, in 

 damp places. 



FIG. 278. 



Salamander, Amblystoma punctatwn, Baird. 



The Tritons are salamanders which have the tail com- 

 pressed, and which are aquatic ; yet, as they respire by 

 nieans of lungs, they come to the surface of the water 

 from time to time for atmospheric air. They have the 

 most wonderful power to reproduce mutilated or lost 



