24 



result has been the production of numerous forms, which difFer SO much 

 that they have been described as distinct species uuder many names. 

 The discovery of intermediate specimens has resulted in bringing all the 

 forms under the earliest name, tigrhmm. I describe the species as rep- 

 resented in Indiana. 



A large, heavily built species, with long tail, stout limbs and a dark 

 color, varied with numerous yellow spots. 



Head about as wide as the body, or somewhat narrower in large indi- 

 viduals; the width in the length to the groin about four times. Paratoid 

 region much swollen. Gular fold prominent, overlapping, rising on the 

 sides of the neck. A groove running back from the orbit to the gular 

 fold. Mouth large, reaching back half way or more to the gular fold. 

 Tongue large, with the papillary folds radiating from behind. Vomero- 

 palatine teeth in a straight or slightly curving series across the roof of the 

 mouth, just behind the choanse; occasionally the series projects forward 

 in an angle between the choanse. 



The body is usually thick and depressed, and looks as if swollen. The 

 distance from the snout to the axilla is contained in the distance from 

 snout to groin two and a half times. There are twelve well marked cos- 

 tal furrows. The tail is commonly equal to the distance from snout to the 

 groin, but specimens are often found in which it is considerably longer. 

 It is flattened and the extremity has sharp edges above and below. 



The limbs are stout. There are two distinct tubercles on the sole of 

 the hind foot. 



The ground color is a livid blue-black, brown, or black on the upper 

 side. Scattered over the body, limbs and tail are numerous spots of 

 bright yellow, which vary greatly in size, shape and arrangement. The 

 spots may enlarge and become confluent, so as almost to cover the upper 

 surface, or they may be almost obsolete. They are not limited to the 

 upper part of the back, as they are in A. pundatum. The belly is of the 

 same color as the upper surface, but it is usually wholly overlaid with 

 sulphur yellow, so as to obscure the ground color. Through this wash 

 of yellow may be seen the still brighter yellow of the spots. The chin 

 and throat are often almost wholly yellow, yet this does not conceal the 

 still brighter yellow spots. Prof. W. 8. Blatchley has shown me a very 

 large specimen from Terre Haute which is mostly yellow, but has on body 

 and tail rather broad anastomosing dark bands. It suggests Cope's A. 

 xiphicts, but lacks the projecting lower jaw and the very long tail. 



This species is the largest of the genus, individuals sometimes reaching 

 a length of a foot. It is not uncommon to find them from six to nine 

 inches long. 



Distribution from Maine to Florida, California and Mexico. Indiana 

 localities : Irvington and Indianapolis, rather common ; Terre Haute 



