der, and the upper joints of the legs are bronze. On either side of 

 the brown band, along the sides, are many black spots and small, 

 bluish white flecks. The blue flecks predominate on the lower sides. 

 The underside is bluish white with small, black spots. 



The larva is about 12.5 mm. long at hatching. Its broad head is 

 widest halfway between the eyes and gills, and ends in a blunt 

 snout. The forelegs are well developed and may have four toes. 

 The short hind limbs are directed backward and may be entirely 

 toeless. The tail is keeled above. This keel or dorsal fin extends for- 

 ward almost to the head. The lower fin runs forward only to the 

 tail constriction. 



The head of the larva is tinged with orange, green and yellow 

 marked with brown or black pigment spots which may form a Y 

 with the open end at the snout. The gills are black with orange 

 bases. The back is a light greenish yellow above, bordered by dark, 

 irregular markings. As the larva matures this coloring deepens. 



Transformation appears to be complete by the end of July. 



Size. Adult males about 65 mm. long; adult females, about 

 75 mm. 



Habitat. During the summer and fall they are commonly 

 found under stones and logs in woods adjoining their upland breed- 

 ing ponds. During the breeding season they are to be found with- 

 in about six inches of water, buried in the moss or moss rhizomes 

 and grass roots covering a rotten log. 



Breeding Habits. During the late summer and fall the male 

 nuzzles the head and sides of the female until he has stimulated 

 her interest. She then follows him about, her chin pressed against 

 the base of his tail. He deposits one or more spermatophores, one of 

 which she takes into her vent. 



In April the female migrates to the nesting grounds with her 

 fellow females. There, in a hollow some inches beneath the surface 

 of the moss, she lays her eggs. The female crawls upside down as 

 she deposits her eggs. Each is tucked among a few strands of moss, 

 but the complement of about fifty may form a single mass. The 

 female guards her eggs for the sixty odd days that are required for 

 hatching. 



[58} 



