84 NEW- YORK FAUNA. 



THE CRIMSON-SPOTTED TRITON. 



Triton millepcnctaths. 

 plate xv. fig. 34. — (state collection.) 



Salamandra dorsalis. Harlan, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sc. Vol. 6, p. 101 ; Med. and Phys. Res. p. 99. 

 5. id. Holbrook, N. Am. Herpetology, Vol. 2, p. 57, pi. 10. 



S. millepunctata. Many-spotted Salamander. Storer, Mass. Report, p. 249. 



Characteristics. Olive, with crimson spots ; the two colors above and beneath distinctly 

 separated. Tail compressed, tapering. Length 3-4 inches. 



Description. Body cylindrical, granulated as in the preceding. Tail much compressed, its 

 edges almost membranaceous, longer than the body. Fore feet long and slender, with four 

 toes, one rudimentary. Hind feet more robust ; outer toes small. 



Color. Above, olive brown, varying in hue from light brown to deep olive green. On the 

 flanks, sometimes on the sides of the throat, and occasionally for some distance along the 

 sides of the tail, with a row of crimson circular spots bordered with black ; these spots vary 

 in number from two to ten, at least this is the greatest number that has fallen under my notice. 

 Beneath yellowish, punctured with black, and separated distinctly from the brown of the parts 

 above ; the punctures extend over the belly, inside of the legs, and upper parts of the body 

 and tail. In long preserved cabinet specimens, the line of separation between the colors 

 above and beneath become effaced, and the crimson spots change to white. 



Length, 3-0-4-0. 



This species had originally the misfortune to be so badly named, and the description, which 

 was taken from a changed cabinet specimen, gave such an imperfect and false idea of the 

 animal, that we have adopted the name originally applied by Dr. Storer, both as more descrip- 

 tive in itself, and as being the first true description of the species. We presume this to be a 

 case where the law of priority can have no force, and where the original describer we imagine 

 would cheerfully agree to the change. In some parts of the State it is called Evet, which 

 name is also applied to several other species, and is evidently a corruption of eft. 



I have met with this animal in brooks, and in every part of the State. It is capable of 

 withstanding a low temperature, for Holbrook saw them swimming about with great vivacity 

 under ice an inch thick. It feeds on insects, and, according to Dr. Storer, casts its skin in 

 June. 



