22 



seem to be able U> remain a great length of time in the water, and when 

 left there they have sometimes drowned. 



I have often been surprised at the ability for climbing shown by these 

 animals. I have seen them climb up the corners of a zinc box six inches 

 high, and make their escape. Indeed, it is extremely difficult to keep 

 them imprisoned. 



The rfalaniander will soon learn to take food when it is offered. They 

 seize and swallow earthworms with great greediness. A worm several 

 inches long will he swallowed by installments. 



This species of Ambijstoma, even in its adult stage, enjoys a sort of 

 aquatic respiration. I have observed them, while under the water, to 

 draw in streams of water through the nostrils and to expel it at intervals 

 through the mouth. These expulsions of water by the mouth occur 

 every eight to twelve seconds. The animal will remain under the water 

 breathing thus for perhaps fifteen minutes. It will then appear to become 

 uneasy, bubbles of air escape from its mouth, and soon it comes to the 

 surface after air. In all probability oxygen is absorbed from the water 

 by the lining of the mouth, and thus the blood is partially purified. In 

 this way we may account for the long time that these animals can remain 

 in water under the ice. 



This salamander appears to enjoy having its back tickled with a straw. 

 It will often lift its tail high in the air and wave it to and fro in a ludicrous 

 way. It seems at times to make a low piping sound, and at other limes 

 produces a clucking noise. 



It is of interest to us that this species was first described by Dr. E. 

 Hallowell (1, 1856, 8) as Ambystoma jyorphynticum from specimens sent 

 him from Indiana. 



Ambystoma jeflfer&onianum, (Green.) 

 Jefferson's Salamander. 



Salamandra jeffersoniana, Green, 1827, 102, 4 ; Holbrook, 1842, J4> 

 5, 51, pi. 14; Ambystoma jeffersoniana, Baird, 1849, 2, 283; Amblystoma 

 jeffersonianum, Cope, 1867, 1,- 195; Boulenger, 1882, 2S, 46, pi. II, 

 fig. 2; Cope, 1889, 51, 101, with figures. 



A species with an elongated body and head. The distance from the 

 snout to the axilla considerably less than the distance from axilla to groin. 

 Tail equal to distance from snout to vent. There are twelve costal 

 grooves and a dorsal furrow. Skin smooth, but under the lens showing 

 numerous mucous i)ores. A line of th«se internal to the orbits. Head 

 .rather broad and depressed ; its width contained in length to groin from 

 four to five times. Cleft of mouth extending back more than half way to 

 gular fold. Eyes large and set far back. Gular fold prominent, but not 



