g4 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. 



ties. In Illinois, St. Clair, Madison, and Randolph coun- 

 ties. 



Habits. — This species resembles the variety laterale of 

 Ambystoma jeffersonianum, and to a less extent Ambys- 

 toma microstomum, but is distinguished from both by the 

 possession of parasphenoidal teeth. Like Plethodon 

 eryfhronotus this species appears to be wholly terrestrial. 

 It is found hiding in shady, cool places, where it haunts 

 rocky localities under logs and stones, whence at night 

 it comes to seek its prey. The food consists of insects 

 and other small animals that may fall within its reach. 

 It is especially remarkable for the development of pre- 

 hensile powers in its tail. It will wrap its tail around 

 one's finger and hang there for quite a while. It is one of 

 the most common species of Salamanders in Missouri. 



Genus spelerpes. 



Vomero-palatine teeth in two series, which either converge backward 

 without reaching the parasphenoids, or run transversely to the ante- 

 riorly prolonged parasphenoidal patches. These patches are either sep- 

 arated or joined along the middle line. Tongue small, supported on a 

 central stalk, mushroom-like. Premaxillaries ankylosed, their spines 

 enclosing a fontanelle. Limbs moderately well developed. Digits 4-5. 

 (Hay.) 



Key to the Missouri Species of Spelerpes. 



13 to 14 costal grooves. Body slender. Vomero-palatine teeth not 

 meeting the parasphenoidal patches. 



Tail considerably longer than the head and body. 

 Yellow, with black spots; tail with black cross-bars. 



longicandus. 

 Orange red, with black spots on body and tail. 



maculicaudus. 



Back raw sienna in color. Median line and a streak on 



each side of the back, a line from the eye back to above 



the hind limb, and the top of the tail free from spots. 



stejnegeri. 



Yellow, with a broad dorsal band and another on each 



side of back. guttolineatus. 



Tail not much longer than the rest of the animal. The 



sides of the head, body and tail black, belly white in 



life. melanopleurus. 



21 costal furrows; color dark. multiplicatus. 



