Hurter — Herpetology of Missouri. 81 



logs, and says it is very quick in its movements. 0. P. 

 Hay in his report on the Batrachians and Reptiles of 

 Indiana, says: "When this species has been dropped 

 on its back, it will often lie for a time perfectly 

 quiet, as if feigning death. I have heard it give a faint 

 squeak like the scratching of a quill toothpick against 

 paper. It can readily climb a perpendicular surface, and 

 it can suspend itself by its tail. When thrown into water, 

 it may hide for a while at the bottom, but it soon en- 

 deavors to get out." The food is said to consist princi- 

 pally of worms and insects. 



Genus plethodon. 



Vomero-palatine teeth in two more or less oblique series which lie 

 behind the choanae. Parasphenoidal teeth present. Premaxillaries 

 separated. Digits 4-5. Tongue free laterally, but attached medially 

 in front. (Hay.) 



Key to Missouri Species of Plethodon. 



Costal grooves 16 to 19. Color above dark brown with a red dorsal 



stripe. erytlironotus. 



Costal grooves 14. Color above bluish black, with small white dots. 



fflutinosus. 



10. Plethodon erythronotus Green. Red-backed Sala- 

 mander. 



Salamandra erythronota, Ambly •stoma erythronotum, Salamandra 

 agilis, Plethodon einereus var. erytlironotus, Plethodon erytlironotus 

 car. erythronota, Plethodon einereus. 



Description. — This species is among the most elongated and slender 

 American salamanders. Head small, flat above, depressed. Mouth 

 large, the upper jaw slightly projecting over the lower one. Tongue 

 large, attached by a strip along the middle, slightly free behind. 

 Vomero-palatine teeth in tv/o short, arched, backwardly converging 

 rows, which do not extend beyond the choanae. Parasphenoid teeth 

 in two patches lying close together. Eyes prominent. Gular fold dis- 

 tinct, rising high on the sides of the neck, a distinct groove running 

 back from the corner of the eye to the gular fold, where it is met by 

 a vertical groove from the corner of the mouth. Neck distinct. 16 to 

 19 costal grooves. Limbs short and weak. Digits short, the inner ones 

 rudimentary. Tail round, pointed, equal to or longer than the head 

 and body. 



