72 SALAMANDRA FASCIATA. 



the posterior are nearly twice the size of the anterior, and have five toes, the 

 third and fourth longest. 



Colour. The head is palest ash-colour above, with two or three bluish-black 

 blotches, the largest of which is about the occiput; the upper jaw is bluish-black, 

 and the lower is of similar colour, but of lighter tint. The body is also of 

 palest ash-colour above, marked with irregular blotches of bluish-black, placed 

 transversely; the abdomen is uniform indigo-blue, with a tinge of purple; the tail 

 is coloured like the back, but has transverse bars instead of blotches. 



Dimensions. Length of head, 5 lines; of body to vent, 1 inch 7 lines; of tail, 1 

 inch 4 lines: total length, 3 inches 4 lines. 



Habits. This is another true Salamander, and one of the most beautiful of 

 the genus. I have kept them alive for many months in a small box filled with 

 meadow moss, (Sphagnum,) which w^as occasionally moistened; and it was 

 observed that they always chose the superior surface of the moss for their 

 resting place, while their fellow prisoner, a Salamandra venenosa, was always 

 found deeply buried. 



Geographical Distribution. Professor Green first observed this animal in 

 New Jersey; Professor Hitchcock found it in Massachusetts, and furnished my 

 friend Dr. Storer, of Boston, with the fine specimen from which the accompanying 

 plate was taken; in the west it has been observed by Dr. Hildreth, near Marietta, 

 Ohio, who sent a specimen to the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia; 

 at the south Dr. Blanding saw it at Camden, South Carolina; I have found it near 

 Charleston, and lately Dr. Binney observed it in Georgia. 



General Remarks, The Salamandra fasciata was first accurately described 

 by Professor Green, of Philadelphia, who has done so much to elucidate the 

 history of this obscure family of reptiles; and it is remarkable that so large and 

 so beautiful an animal should so long have escaped the observation of our 

 herpetologists. 



