REPTILES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 253 



only an inch and a half long, and having the branchias still 

 attached ; and as its colors have somewhat changed in the 

 alcohol, I extract Green's description from the Journal of the 

 Philadelphia Academy. " Length, fom* or five inches ; tail 

 about as long as the body, tapering, slightly compressed, and 

 pointed; snout romided ; back whitish, sprinkled with irregu- 

 lar, reddish brown spots ; beneath white ; anterior feet, four 

 toed, posterior feet five toed. 



Note. Individuals of this species vary much in size, and in 

 the number of spots. I have one about three inches long, with 

 the tail more compressed and obtuse, than the above." 



All the Salamanders here described, feed upon insects, which 

 they devour in very large numbers, and hence their utility 

 cannot be questioned. 



