EXTERNAL FEATURES AND VARIETIES 15 



taeniata, so called on account of the arrangement of the dorsal 

 markings in two parallel series continuous with the patches on the 

 paratoids, which not infrequently form two uninterrupted stripes. 

 This peculiarity distinguishes it unmistakably from the other two 

 types. Even when the two stripes are only quite fragmentary they 

 retain their individuality and parallel disposition, not encroaching 

 over the mid-dorsal line except occasionally above the occiput and in 

 the posterior region of the body, where they may be connected by 

 cross bars. Another point of difference is that the yellow markings 

 are usually present on the snout, while the spot situated above the 

 angle of the mouth in forma typica is frequently absent in taeniata. 

 On the limbs black usually predominates, and there is a similar 

 characteristic yellow patch in each variety near the base of the arm 

 and thigh, but the second patch on the fore-arm and leg which is 

 variable m forma typica is constant in taeniata^ and usually larger than 

 in the typical form. Not infrequently yellow is in excess of the black 

 and often extends to the ventral surface of the tail, which is rarely 

 the case in the other forms. 



The colour varies from sulphur- or lemon-yellow to a deep orange. 

 Fr. von Schweitzerbarth (1909) obtained some specimens near 

 Stuttgart with markings almost vermilion red in colour. She named 

 t\\Qm'var. coccinea but they clearly represent only individual peculiari- 

 ties. Albinism has been reported in several cases (see Schreit- 

 miiller, 1 909, and Wolterstorff, 1909). 



The habitat of var. taeniata is restricted — with the exception of 

 one doubtful specimen from Rome — to France, Spain, Portugal, 

 south Holland, Germany, and Switzerland (PI. XXV, fig. 84). 



Excellent accounts of the external characteristics as well as of the 

 life-history and ecology of the Salamander have been given by 

 Bruno Diirigen (1897) and by Schreiber (19 12). The arrangement 

 of the varieties adopted by these two authors is different in each case 

 and also differs from that adopted here, the last-named author 

 describing as many as thirteen varieties and sub-varieties. Such 

 elaboration seems unnecessary, since it concerns only the relative 

 amounts of the yellow and black pigments present and whether the 

 spots are confluent or discrete, and so on. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SECTION II 

 30, 31, 50, 67, 73, 76, 151, 155, 197, 217, 219, 301, 312, 357, 359, 360, 

 362, 363, 395, 436, 468, 558, 673, 677, 683, 688, 689, 692, 693, 710, 730, 

 734, 776,778, 779> 784, 821. 



