THE NEWT AND ITS ALLIES 



259 



attached to sticks at or near the surface of the water. 

 The larvae of the more southern species often reach a size 

 considerably larger than the adult, and breed before the 

 gills are absorbed. In a Mexican species the larval 

 state is never transcended. The larva of Amblystoma 

 (Fig. 243) was formerly described, indeed, as a distinct 

 species. 



The Plethodontidae a and Desmognathidae 2 include a num- 

 ber of small Urodeles, having a close general resemblance 



Fi<;. 244. Plethodon, the red-backed salamander. Slightly reduced. Photo. 



of living animal resting on a leaf. 



and similar habits. Plethodon, of the eastern United 

 States, is lead-colored above, very often with a broad, 

 red dorsal band (Fig. 244). It is found under logs, 

 and is very active. Spelerpes 3 is lemon-yellow and white 

 below, and Desmognathus is brown above, with gray or 



s, abundance ; odo^s, 656fTos, tooth. 2 5e<r/x6s, bond ; 



jaw. 3 (TTTTjAcuoj/, cavern ; epir-rjs, a crawler. 



