80 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



Color. Back cinereous (Green), brownish yellow (Harlan). Clear bright yellow or whitish 

 beneath. A broad black line on each side, extending from behind the eyes to the end of the 

 tail ; a narrow vertebral black line from the occiput to the base of the tail : this third line is 

 occasionally absent or nearly effaced. Iris yellow. 



Length, 3-0. 



Although this species is said to be very common, both by Green and Harlan, I have never 

 had the good fortune to meet with it, and have consequently been compelled to use their 

 description. It is said to be very active ; found in shallow water, beneath stones in moist 

 places, or on the borders of brooks in shady situations. Dr. Eights obtained several speci- 

 mens from the Dripping Well near Albany, while engaged in digging up a soft bed of earth, 

 marl and decomposed vegetable matter, which had accumulated beneath. He states that 

 some of them were beyond the usual size, and in these the longitudinal lines could scarcely 

 be detected. 



The geographic limits of this species, thus far ascertained, extend from New-York and 

 Pennsylvania to Ohio. 



THE RED SALAMANDER. 



Salamandra rdbra. 



PLATE XVII. FIG. 43. — (STATE COLLECTION.) 



Salamandra rubra. DauDIN, Hist. Rept. Vol. 8, p. 227, pi. 97, fig. 2. 



S. maculata et rubrivenlris. Green, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Vol. 1, p. 350 and 353. 



S. maculata et rubriventris, var ? Harlan, Med. and Phys. Researches, p. 96 and 97. 



5. maculata. Brown Spotted Salamander. Storer, Mass. Rep. p. 253. 



<S. rubra. Holbrook, N. Am. Herpetology, Vol. 4. 



Characteristics. Red, (in cabinets dull salmon,) with numerous black dots. Tail nearly as 

 long as the body, 4-6 inches. 



Description. Body robust, cylindrical, smooth, slimy. Head moderate, flattened above ; 

 snout rounded. Nostrils small, anterior. Tongue pediculate. Teeth diverging on the pala- 

 tines. Fore legs moderately robust, with four small subequal toes ; hind legs very stout, 

 with five toes, the interior shortest. Tail continuous with the body, rapidly diminishing 

 towards the acute tip, and compressed on the sides ; a prominent ridge on the upper edge, 

 which may be traced more or less distinctly to a point vertical to the vent. 



Color. In cabinet specimens, light brownish or dusky yellowish, sprinkled on the head, 

 body and extremities, with reddish brown spots. In the living specimens, the general color 

 above and beneath is red, more or less vivid, and the roundish spots are black ; these spots 

 are usually larger and more crowded on the summit of the head and along the dorsal line, 

 smaller and more scattered on the sides of the body and tail. Beneath almost immaculate, 

 except under the throat and breast. 



Length, 3-0-5-0. 



Tail, 1-3-2-2. 



