FAMILY SALAMANDRIDA. 75 
THE RED-BACKED SALAMANDER. 
SALAMANDRA ERYTHRONOTA. 
PLATE XVI. FIG. 38.— (STATE COLLECTION.) 
Salamandra erythronota et cinerea, GREEN, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Vol. 1, p. 356. 
S. erythronota. HARLAN, Med. and Phys. Researches, p. 95, 
WS. cinerea? Ib. Ib. 
S. erythronota. Housroox, N. Am. Herpetology, Vol. 3, p. 113, pl. 27. 
The Red-backed Salamander. Storer, Mass. Report, p. 245. 
Characteristics. Small. A distinct vertebral stripe, varying with age from scarlet to reddish 
brown. Length 2 - 3 inches. 
Description. Body slender, cylindrical. Tail cytindrical, tapering towards the extremity, 
where it becomes compressed, more particularly in the younger individuals, and pointed. 
Snout obtusely rounded, Eyes small, moderately prominent. Nostrils lateral, near the snout. 
Cervical fold indistinct. Legs feeble ; the fourth toe on the fore foot rudimentary. 
Color. Head above brownish; chin and throat whitish, (according to Green, with a few 
dots of crimson.) Sides dull white, thickly punctate with brown, and lustrous. Hyes black. 
A broad vertebral stripe extending from the snout (occasionally from the occiput) towards the 
end of the tail; this stripe is of a deep or lighter red color, varying with age. In very young 
individuals 0-8 long, this stripe is of a brilliant scarlet or crimson. 
Total length, 3°0 - 3°5. 
Prof. Green, after a careful revision and comparison of his cinerea and erythronota, came 
to the conclusion that the former was an aged individual of the latter, in which the dorsal 
stripe had become obsolete. 
The Red-backed Salamander is a very numerous and widely distributed species. It is 
among the first which appears in the spring, and I have seen it as early as the middle of April. 
It runs with great rapidity among the leaves, in moist wooded districts, and conceals itself 
under stones and decayed trees. It has been noticed by Dr. Blanding at Camden, South 
Carolina, and by Mr. Say at Louisville, Kentucky. 'The most northerly limit of this species 
observed by me, was on the islands of the Saranac lake. 
THE PAINTED SALAMANDER. 
SALAMANDRA PICTA, 
Salmandra picta. Haruan, Journ. Acad. Nat. Se. Vol. 5, p. 136. 
S. mtermixta, GREEN, Macl. Lyceum, Vol. 1, (fide Harlan.) 
S. picta, Harwan, Med, and Phys. Researches, p. 98 and 177. Srorer, Mass. Rep. p. 251. 
Characteristics. Dark slate or blackish; yellowish or orange beneath. Tail abruptly com- 
pressed towards the tip, slightly shorter than the body. Length four 
inches, 
