PLETHODONTINAE I O/ 



preys. When taken in the hand it gives off a great quantity of 

 slime. 



P. enjthronotus extends into Canada and is much smaller. 

 Brown or grey above, mostly with a broad, reddish-brown band 

 over the head, back, and tail. The under parts are white, with 

 grey and brown specks. 



Autodax s. Anaides. — The large tongue is attached along the 

 median line. The jaws are furnished with few, but surprisingly 

 large, knife-shaped teeth, about ten in the upper and fewer in the 

 lower jaw. The small teeth of the vomers form a chevron-shaped 

 series behind the choanae, those of the parasphenoid stand in one 

 elongated patch. The tail is round ; number of toes, five. Three 

 species in Western North America, from California to Oregon. 



A. lugnhris. — The eyes are very large and prominent. The 

 upper jaw shows a peculiar recess on either side for the reception 

 of the large lower teeth. The skin is smooth, devoid of parotoid 

 glands, Ijut has a strong gular fold. The upper parts are dark 

 brown or lead-coloured, with whitish dots on the sides ; under 

 parts white. Total length some 6 inches, about half of which 

 belongs to the tail. The fingers and toes are very rich in sub- 

 cutaneous venous sinuses. 



The habits of these creatures are in many respects peculiar. 

 Van Denburgh ^ says of A. iecanus " that it usually moves quite 

 slowly, moving one foot at a time, but is capable of motion 

 surprisingly rapid for a salamander. When moving rapidly, it 

 aids the action of its legs by a sinuous movement of its whole 

 body and tail. The latter is prehensile. Several individuals, 

 when held with their heads down, coiled their tails around my 

 finger, and, when the original hold was released, sustained them- 

 selves for some time by this means alone. One even raised 

 itself high enough to secure a foothold. This animal's tail is 

 also of use in another way. When caught, it will often remain 

 motionless, but if touched, will either run a short distance with 

 great speed, or quickly raising its tail and striking it forcibly 

 against the surface on which it rests, and accompanying this 

 with a quick motion of its hind-limbs, will jump from four to 

 six inches, rising as high as two or three." 



Hitter and Miller" have made extensive observations on the life- 

 history of A. lugubris. When wishing to pass from the hand to 

 1 P. Calif. Ac. (2) V. 1895, ji. 776. - Amer. Natural, .xxxiii. 1899, p. 691. 



