ON THE BREEDING HABITS OF DESMOGNATHUS 



FUSCA. 



INEZ WHIPPLE WILDER, 

 BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY, SMITH COLLEGE. 



That the eggs of Desmognathus fusca are deposited under 

 terrestrial conditions, and are brooded by the mother during 

 their development, are facts already well known. In my account 

 of the "Life History of Desmognathus fusca" (I. W. Wilder, '13), 

 I made the following observation and suggestion: 'The eggs are 

 always found guarded by a female, undoubtedly the mother. 

 She usually so places herself among them as to bring practically 

 all of the eggs in contact with her body, which often extends 

 through the mass of eggs and is frequently bent sharply upon 

 itself as if the better to surround and protect them (Fig. i). 



FIG. i. Female Desmognathus fusca with eggs, showing the characteristic 

 brooding position, with the body coiled about the eggs. Drawn from life by 

 H. H. Wilder. From American Naturalist, Vol. XXXIII. 



When under observation, as in a terrarium, the mother frequently 

 leaves the eggs when disturbed, always retreating through the 

 same exit from the nest. After having been separated from the 



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