58 SALAMANDRA SYMMETRICA. 



short flexible toes. The tail is thick at the root, but soon becomes flattened, 

 small, and terminates in a point. 



Colour. The whole superior surface of the head, neck, body and tail, as well 

 as that of the anterior and posterior extremities, is brownish-red; the inferior 

 surface of the throat and abdomen is reddish-orange, with black dots; the inferior 

 surface of the tail is the same as the superior, but with a glow of orange. 



Dimensions. Length of head, 4 lines; length of body to vent, 1 inch 8 lines; 

 length of tail beyond vent, 1 inch 8 lines: total length, 3 inches 8 lines. 



Habits. Although placed by some among the aquatic Salamanders, the very 

 skin, roughened as it is, would seem to shew that this animal is destined to live 

 on land, and that it only approaches the water at certain seasons. I have always 

 seen it on land, but in damp places, as under fallen trees or rocks, from whence 

 it emerges after heavy rains, or in the dusk of evening, in search of insects, 

 earth-worms, &c. 



Geographical Distribution. The Salamandra symmetrica has a very wide 

 range; I have received it from Florida and Alabama, and have seen it in Carolina, 

 Virginia, and as far north as the Green Mountains of Vermont. Though abun- 

 dant in the upper parts of Carolina, yet I have never seen them in the flat country 

 around Charleston, or along the sea coast of the southern states. 



General Remarks. Harlan was the first who made this animal known to 

 naturalists. Previous to his description it seems to have been confounded with 

 the Stellio of Catesby, represented in the beak of the Ardea herodias. They 

 were no doubt deceived by the spots on the sides of the body, which should have 

 led them to a distinctive mark. The animal of Catesby differs from the one here 

 described in many respects: it has the skin soft and smooth; the colour brown; 

 the dorsal spots white; much less regular in size and disposition, and extending 

 on the tail. 



