FAMILY SALAMANDRIDjE. 85 



THE DUSKY TRITON. 



Triton nicer. 

 plate xv. fig. 35. — (state collection.) 



Salamandra niger. Green, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sc. Vol. 1, p. 352. 



S. id. Harlan, Med. and Phys. Res. p. 97. Eights, Zodiac, Albany, 1835. 



Triton niger. Holbrook, N. Am. Herpetology, Vol. 5, plate. 



Characteristics. Back black ; sides with small white spots. Tail compressed, as long as the 

 body. Length 4-6 inches. 



Description. Body smooth, tapering. Head large, broadly rounded in front. Eyes approxi- 

 mated, prominent. Two or three series of mucous pores between the eyes and nostrils. A 

 moderate fold under the neck. Toes unusually long. Tail sub-cylindrical at its origin, 

 becoming gradually compressed, and tapering to a point, with moderately acute edges. 

 Tongue with numerous papillae. 



Color. Uniform dark brown or black ; somewhat whiter beneath, especially on the lower 

 edge of the tail. Three or four obsolete whitish dots on the chin. 



Length, 5-0-6-0. Forelegs, 8*80. 



Headandbody, 3-0. Hind legs, 1 • 10. 



Tail, 2*8. Longest toe of the hind foot,. 0-45. 



Dr. Eights observed many of this species, " in wet springy places near running streams," 

 in the neighborhood of Albany. Prof. Green assigns shallow waters as their usual habitat. 

 The young are yellowish brown, especially along the back. This was noticed by Dr. Eights, 

 who observed them " to vary from the original description, being as universally yellowish 

 " brown as black." I am indebted to Prof. Emmons for specimens from Peru, Clinton county. 



THE GREY-SPOTTED TRITON. 



Triton poRPHYRiTicns. 



PLATE XVI. FIG. 37. — (STATE COLLECTION.) 



Salamandra porphyritica. Green, Maclurian Lyceum, Vol.1, p, 3, pi. 1. 

 S. id. Harlan, Med. and Phys. Researches, p. 98. 



Characteristics. Glossy black, slimy, with minute irregular greyish spots. Length seven 

 inches. 



Description. Body smooth, robust, and tapering insensibly to the extremity of the tail ; 

 covered with a viscid secretion. Head ovate, depressed. Rictus wide. Eyes very promi- 

 nent, and black. Anterior feet four-toed, half the size of the hind feet, which are furnished 

 with five. Tail cylindrical, scarcely compressed. 



