25 



<(Evermann, Blatchley), Crawfordsville (Beachler), Lafayette, very com- 

 mon (F. C. Test) ; in vicinity of Lake Maxincuckee ; Wabash County 

 (Ulrey). Probably to be found throughout the State. The specimens 

 that I have seen from the northern portion of the State have the upper 

 surface less spotted with yellow than usual. 



ThL< species has probably been more extensively studied than any 

 other of the genus, and this especially on account of the fact that the 

 gills and other larval structures are sometimes retained until the animal 

 has reached the full adult size and even is capable of breeding. Dr. 

 Elliott Coues (9, 4, 290), in speaking of specimens taken in North 

 Dakota, says: "In all the specimens observed, the metamorphosis from 

 the Siredon stage was comjileted at a length of four to five inches. In 

 other regions I have procured the same species, still in the Siredon stage, 

 but nearly twice as large." Some interesting observations have been 

 made on the larvte of this species by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt (50, 1885, 263 ; 

 SI, 453.) 



Dr. P. R Hoy (2:2, v. 578) states that the Tiger Salamander, e^rly in 

 spring, about April 1, in Wisconsin, repairs to the water for the purpose 

 of depositing its eggs. These are laid in packets of from twenty to fifty, 

 on blades of grass. The eggs, including the gelatine, are a half inch in 

 diameter, the yelk one-eighth. The tadpole emerges in twenty-five 

 days, and has at that time a length of one-half inch. On each side of 

 the mouth is a short "holder." By May 5 the "holders" are lost, the 

 fore legs have made their appearance, and the larva feeds voraciously on 

 aquatic insects. By the middle of August the gills have been absorbed. 

 Thus about 100 days are occupied in attaining the adult condition. Dr. 

 Hoy further says that when the feet and legs have been amputated, as 

 they may be by water insects, they are reproduced, and the digits in the 

 same order as originally. 



Though I have frequently taken this species about Indianapolis, I 

 have never been able to obtain its eggs nor to recognize the very young. 

 In Indiana the metamorphosis is undergone when the tadpole is about 

 four inches in length. I have seen many specimens taken at Irvington, 

 and these will illustrate the peculiarities of the young at a time just 

 preceding the metamorphosis. The entire length is 4.37 inches. There 

 are present three external gills, each with numerous flat filaments 

 arranged in two rows along the main axis. Three gill-slits are yet open, 

 and these are guarded by gill-rakers similar to those of fishes. The 

 teeth of the vomers and those of the palatines form separate patches, 

 and in a series parallel with those of the maxillaries and premaxillaries. 

 The tongue as yet shows no folds. The limbs are well developed. The 

 tail has a broad, fin like membrane above and below. The upper mem- 

 brane extends forward well toward the head. The upper surfoce is 

 extensively mottled and blotched with dusky. The color below is white. 



