8 [February, 



properly so called, for the Triton dorsalis and symmetrlcus of authors is ana- 

 tomically quite different from the Tritons of Earope. 



The tongue in the genera Spelerpes, Pseudotriton (Mycetoglossus, Bib., Bolito- 

 glossa, D. and B.) and Batrachoceps, Bonap., is bolitoglossal or mushroom- 

 shaped, being quite free and supported upon a central pedicel; but the arrange- 

 ment of the teeth is not the same, the transverse and longitudinal rows being 

 separated by an interval in Spelerpes and Batrachoceps, but, as before stated, are 

 in a continuous series in Pseudotriton. The only European genus whjch agrees 

 with the first named genera in the form of tongue and arrangement of teeth, is 

 Geotriton, the tongue in the Tritons proper being attached both in front and 

 posteriorly, and having no transverse teeth whatever ;* but in Geotriton the toes 

 are very distinctly palmated, which is not the case in either Batrachoceps or 

 Spelerpes, so that not only the species of Urodeles, now under consideration, are 

 different, but the genera also, no two being identical in both continents ; further, 

 if we restrict the families more fully than has hitherto been done, we might say 

 that the only sub-families of this group of reptiles common to both Europe and 

 America are the Bolitoglossidae, or the mushroom-tongued Urodeles, comprising 

 in the former several genera, in the latter but one, and the Tritonidai. 



It is also worthy of remark that, although these animals are known, (instead 

 of having the power to remain unharmed amidst the flames, according to the 

 opinion of the vulgar, or of " inhabiting the rivers of hell,"f ) to be capable of en- 

 during extreme cold, (the Salamandra atra existing near the region of snow in the 

 Alps,) they have not yet been discovered very far north. None of the American 

 species have been found north of Lake Superior except Plethodon erythrynotus, 

 and that at no great distance. In Europe the most northern limit is Sweden. 

 None of these reptiles, we believe, were observed in the recent expedition of Dr. 

 Kane to the Arctic regions.^ 



In making out a synopsis of the Urodele Batrachians in the collection of the 

 Academy, I had laid aside for future examination the Triton porphyriticus, of 

 which we have but a single specimen and which is really an Ambystoma. The 

 true position of this animal appears to have been quite doubtful. Prof. Green 

 describes it as a Salamandra, Prof. Holbrook, a Triton, Mr. Gray, a Spelerpes, 

 with a note of interrogation, and Prof Baird, in his valuable synopsis of the group 

 of reptiles to which it belongs, states that its place probably is among the Am- 

 bystomata, but previously remarks that Pseudotriton salmoneus and the Sala- 

 mandra porphyritica of Green will very probably turn out to be identical. Should 

 this be the case, Pseudotriton salmoneus becomes P. porphyriticus, and the 

 species now described will require a new name. 



Ambystoma porphyriticum. 



Syn. Sal. porphyritica, Green, Macl. Lyceum, p. 3. pi. 1. Sal. porphyritica, 

 Harlan, Med. & Phys. Res. p. 98. Triton porphyriticus, Holbrook, N. Am. Herp., 

 vol. V. p. 83. 



*Dr. Holbrook is in error in stating that Triton dorsalis has transverse teeth. 



j- In allusion to the Tartarean habitat of these creatures, a writer in the London 

 Quarterly Review remarks, that Scott's conversation " was rich in ease, sense and 

 humor, while theirs (certain smart and perverse, but unwholesome disputants) 

 was like the breakfasts in military novels, which seem to consist chiefly of 

 devilled kidneys, grilled bones, and other fierce and salammdrine elements." 



The Salamanders are covered with numerous pores, which exude an acrid 

 and glu'inous fluid, so that if thrown upon live coals thej' become blackened, 

 but nf course the animal is soon destroyed. 



J The most northern limit of reptile life observed by Sir J. Richardson, (see 

 boat voyage in search of Sir John Franklin,) was the north bend of Porcupine 

 River, within the Arctic circle, where a snake was found. The tortiises disap- 

 pear beyond the 51st degree, at the south end of Lake Winnepeg, (Emys geo- 

 graphica and probably the snapper,) the frogs at 68, (Bufo americanus and Hyla 

 versicolor ) 



