78 TRITON DORSALIS. 



Colour. The whole superior surface of the Triton dorsalis, head, neck, and 

 body, as well as the tail and extremities, is of an olive-brown colour, with often a 

 tinge of green, and numerous small dots of black, most abundant on the tail; on 

 each side of the vertebral line is a row of bright or red spots, symmetrically 

 disposed; these spots vary a good deal in size in different individuals, but their 

 colour is almost always the same. The inferior surface of the animal, throat, 

 abdomen and tail, as well as the anterior and posterior extremities, is orange, 

 studded with small black dots, most numerous about the abdomen and throat. 



Dimensions. Length of head, 5 lines; length of body, 1 inch 41 lines; length 

 of tail, 2 inches: total length, 3 inches 9i lines. 



Habits. The Triton dorsalis is eminently aquatic in its habits; I have never 

 heard of its being found on land, and indeed, when taken from its native element, 

 its progression is difficult, its skin becomes dry, and it soon dies. In water it is 

 very hardy, supporting great cold, and is torpid only during the excessive cold of 

 winter; for I have frequently observed them under ice of an inch thickness, 

 swimming with great vivacity. 



Geographical Distribution. This animal is found from one end to the other 

 of the Atlantic States; I have seen it in Maine, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. 



General Remarks. The Triton dorsahs was first described by Dr. Harlan. 



