THE BIOLOGY OF THE RED-BACKED SALAMANDER. 343 



Miss Towle found that Plethodon cinereus had the regenerative 

 power also in the limbs. 



Of Plethodon oregonensis, Miss Hubbard says it practices 

 "autotomy only as a last desperate resource, and but in one 

 region (directly behind the anus)." But when in two or three 

 instances, the tail of a red-back has been held by forceps, the 

 tail has come off very easily and in no particular region. Those 

 found wild with incomplete tails appeared to have been broken 

 in no particular joint. This salamander has not been observed 

 thus far to snap or bite for protection. 



INTELLIGENCE. 



The red-backs are easily tamed, and will learn to eat food 

 when offered on a splint. They object to being handled even 

 after they have been in captivity a long time, probably because 

 of the unpleasant warmth and dryness of the hand. 



Cluster of eggs attached to a stone. (Two thirds natural size.) (Photographed 

 by Dr. Miller.) 



They appear to be very quick of hearing. Abbott, among 

 other statements about the salamanders, mentions "their 

 quickness of hearing." When undisturbed in their haunts, a 

 whistle, clap of the hands, or a speaking voice sends them away. 

 Abbott is of the impression that the salamanders give evidence 

 of greater intelligence than the toads or frogs. His efforts to 

 prove them possessed of cunning were not successful. 



REPRODUCTIVE HABITS. 



Baird writes of the genus Plethodon, "The eggs are deposited 

 in packages or aggregations, in moist situations, under stones 



