176 BATRACHIA : URODELA. — XXVI. 
This group is divided by Cope into 7 families, all but one of these 
(Salamandride) being represented in our fauna. These families 
are based chiefly on technical characters, most of which can be 
ascertained only by a careful study of the osteology. “It may be 
stated as characteristic of the Batrachia in general that their char- 
acters cannot be determined without a study of the skeleton.” 
(Cope.) (ovpa, tail; d7Aos, visible.) 
Families of Urodela. 
a. Side of neck with a spiracle or rounded opening; no eyelids; vertebrz 
amphiceelian; teeth on front or outer edge of palatines. 
b. Limbs rudimentary; body eel-shaped. . . . . . AMPHIUMID.#, 99. 
bb. Limbs well-developed; body not eel-shaped. CrYPTOBRANCHIDs, 100. 
aa. Side of neck without spiracle in the adult; limbs well developed; eyelids 
present; teeth on posterior or inner edge of palatines. 
c. Palatine teeth in a transverse (or posteriorly converging) series, in- 
serted on posterior portion of vomer. 
d. Vertebre amphiccelian (double concave). 
e. Parasphenoid (behind vomer) without teeth; carpus and tarsus 
ossified ; tongue (in our species) large, thick, with radiating folds, 
its margin little free; digits 4-5. . AMBLYSTOMATID#, 101. 
ee. Parasphenoid with teeth; tongue small, and largely free. 
PLETHODONTID#, 102. 
dd. Vertebre opisthoccelian (concave behind only) ; teeth on parasphe- 
noid; palatine teeth often wanting; tongue moderate, largely 
free; toes 5. . . «> «©. «1 « » DESMOGNATHIDAL aua, 
cc. Palatine teeth in two longitudinal series diverging behind, inserted on 
inner margin of two palatine processes; parasphenoid toothless ; 
vertebrae opisthoceelian ; skull with a bony post-fronto-squamosal 
arch; tongue small, laterally free. . . . PLEURODELIDA, 104. 
Famitry XCIX. AMPHIUMIDA. (THE Conco SNaxzs.) 
Body elongate, eel-shaped; limbs rudimentary, with 2 or 3 toes 
each; a spiracle on each side of neck; tongue indistinct, wholly 
adherent; a strong series of vomerine teeth parallel with the teeth 
in jaws. Tail short, compressed. One species, inhabiting the 
ditches and streams of the S. U.S. 
252. AMPHIUMA Garden. (Name unexplained.) 
490. A.means Garden. Conco Snake. Blackish. L. 8 feet. 
Ark. to N. C. andS. (Lat., swift-moving.) 
Famity C. CRYPTOBRANCHIDZ. (Tue Giant 
SALAMANDERS.) 
Body robust, with well-developed limbs; an orifice on each side 
of neck usually persistent throughout life ; tongue covering floor of 
mouth; vomerine teeth strong; nostrils very small; no external 
