AMPHIBIA 267 



The Urodela may retain their gills permanently, lose them per- 

 manently, or may have a persistent gill slit. 



Family 1. Amphiumidae. — The hel/ bender {Cryptobranchus 

 allegheniensis) is possessed of two vestigial gill clefts, with no gills. 

 C. allegheniensis inhabits rivers and streams of North America and 

 reaches a length of over two feet. The eggs are fertilized internally, 

 as many as four hundred being produced in strings by the female. 

 The larvae have gills. Cryptobranchus has four fingers and five 

 toes. The skin is excessively slimy, being rich in goblet cells. 



The giant salamander of Japan {Cryptobranchus japonicus 

 maximus), between five feet and six feet in length, is found in the 

 mountainous regions of Japan and China where it is still feared 

 and even worshipped by natives. It has no gill openings and has 

 but three branchial vessels (thus resembling Necturus). It is 

 situated from 600 to 4,500 feet above sea level, and feeds on fishes, 

 amphibia, worms, and insects that it secures from the small streams 

 of mountain meadows. It is caught on the hook and eaten by the 

 Japanese. 



The " Congo snake ^' or " Congo eel'' {Amphiuma means) is an 

 eel-like salamander growing to a length of three feet. It is found in 

 the Mississippi rice fields and in swamps and muddy water. It lays 

 hard-shelled eggs and the female coils around them to protect. The 

 larvae have external gills with legs larger than those of the adult. 



Family 2. Salamandrinae (Salamandridae) . — The crested newt 

 {Ti'iton cristatus) is significant on account of its sexual dimorphism. 

 The male has a high crest on the head and trunk. The upper 

 surface of the head is black and white, while the under parts are 

 orange yellow with black spots. The female has no crest and gen- 

 erally has a median yellow line on the back. The crested newt is 

 found in Central Europe and the British Isles. It is not found in 

 Spain nor in Southern France. 



The vermilion spotted newt, Triturus (Diemictylus) vitidescens, 

 is interesting on account of its changes in color. It lives in the 

 water for the first three years, becoming green with external gills. 

 Leaving the water it becomes yellow with vermilion spots. Re- 

 turning to the water for the breeding season it again becomes green, 

 establishes pharyngeal respiration and lives in perfect aquatic 

 adjustment, only to return to the land again, re-establish oral cilia 

 and take on the vermilion and yellow of terrestrial life. 



The Alpine salamander {Salat?iandra atra) is a form that produces 



