LIZARDS AND SALAMANDERS OP CANADA. 51 



competent authority. I have no knowledge whatever of the 

 species. 



Hemidactylium Tschudi. 



Toes rudimentary, one of the four nearly obsolete. Otherwise 

 much as in Butrachoseps. 



Hemidactylium scutatum Tschudi. 



This prett}' little salamander hears a general resemblance to 

 Plethedon cinereus in form and coloration, but as its generic name 

 implies the toes are reduced in number (4-4) and development. 

 Like the next species, too, it is terrestrial in its habits, never 

 depositing the eggs, as most salamanders do, in water. It is 

 rare. Not found in the Maritime Provinces. Ontario (Macoun). 



Plethodon Tschudi. 



Tongue attached by median line. Teeth on the vomer, the 

 two series separated medially. 



Plethodon cinereus (ireen. 



Tliis species occurs sparingly in the Maritime Provinces 

 associated with the more abundant and characteristic variety. 

 erythronotus. Apart from the color of the dorsal stripe, I find no 

 character distinguishing it from the latter, and the question 

 naturally arises, is this, generally a very unstable one in 

 creatures constitutionally sensitive in this respect, permanent, 

 or does one color variety puss into another? Specimens half- 

 grown, collected by the writer in the neighborhood of Kingston. 

 N. S., were typical cinerei with the dorsal stripe uniformly dark 

 brown, extending in decreasing intensity on the sides. On the 

 other hand, some taken in Restigouche County, N. B.. had the 

 corresponding parts of a light liver color. Forms intermediate 

 between this variety and erythronotus are rare, a strong presump- 

 tion in favor of the separation of the two varieties; and unless 

 experiment or new facts make out a very strong case in favor of 

 individualism or the influence of special physical conditions, 

 the ooiiclusinn ?eems to folbtw thnt the difiFerence is founded in 



