36 



Plethodon glutinosus, (Green). 



Slimy Salamander. 



Figure 2, PL 1. 



Salamandra glutinosa,- Gveen, 1818, 2, 357; Holbrook, 1842, 54, v. 39, 

 pi. 10 ; Plethodon glutinosus, Tschudi, 1818, 99, 92 ; Bouleuger, 1882, 28, 

 56 ; Cope, 1889, 51, 139, with figures. 



The body of this species is rather heavy for the genus. It is cylindri- 

 cal or somewhat depressed, and with a very shallow groove along the 

 back, but not extending upon the tail. Skin smooth and shining, pitted 

 with numerous minute pores, which secrete a white sticky fluid. The 

 length of the snout to the axilla in the distance from snout to the groin 

 2.75 times. Costal grooves 14. 



Head of moderate width, its width in the distance to the groin six 

 times. Snout rounded or truncate, the upper jaw projecting beyond the 

 lower. Gular fold not overlapping ; met by a groove from the eye. The 

 latter organs large and protruding. Tongue large, the posterior fourth 

 and the sides free ; the papillary folds radiating from behind. Vomero- 

 palatine teeth in two short, separated, anteriorly convex arches, which 

 laterally pass a little beyond the choanse. Parasphenoidal bands in close 

 contact throughout and anteriorly removed from the vomero-palatines. 

 The length of the parasphenoidal bands equal in length to the distance 

 between the pupils. Choause as widely separated as the external nostrils. 



Tail equal to or a little longer than the remainder of the animal ; cylin- 

 drical in section and tapering to a point. Limbs moderately developed ^ 

 the tips of the outstretched hind legs being contained in the distance from 

 head to groin 1 . 5 times. The digits are short and depressed ; the inner 

 on fore and hind legs are small, but distinct. 



The color above is black or blue-black. Along the sides are numerous 

 whitish blotches about the size of the eye, and these are sometimes more 

 or less confluent. On the back and upper head the spots are usually 

 smaller and less bright. Under surface of the head and neck paler ; of 

 the belly bluish, with minute dots of white, which are not always the 

 mouths of the mucous pores. Sometimes the posterior half of the tail is 

 of a reddish brown color. In some specimens, when living, there are 

 numerous spots of a brassy hue on the belly and under surface of the 

 head, the tail with rounded dots of yellowish. Rarely there are no white 

 spots anywhere on the body. 



The largest specimens of this species that I have seen are 7 inches long. 



The species is distributed from Maine to Wisconsin, and south to Texas 

 and South C arolina. Indiana localities are : Brookville (Cope, 51, 143, 

 specimens sent to Nat. Mus. by Dr. R. Raymond) ; Terre Haute (Ever- 

 mann and Blatchley) ; Monroe County (C. H. Bollman) ; Crawfordsville 

 (specimens shown me by Mr. Chas. Beachler). 



