BATRACHIANS AND REPTILES OF OHIO. 107 
remove the captured piece. Vecfurus is sometimes killed in num- 
bers by a fungus, Saprolegnia, which grows into the integument. 
The eggs are the size of peas and are laid in tin cans, sunken 
timber, etc., and crevices in still water. Lungs are functional at 
least, at times. The Mud-puppy may be found often under the 
ice in the coldest winters. Their food consists, as adults, of 
worms and small animals. The larvae feed on water plants. 
Aside from the following, this is the largest of our salamanders. 
From Cryptobranchus it may be told at once by the external gills. 
They are nocturnal in habits. 
Specimens in the U. S. Nat. Mus., recorded by Cope, from Toledo, 
Cleveland and Columbus. In the Cin. Soc. Nat. Hist., collected by Dr. 
Lindahl, Cincinnati; in Oberlin College, by Lynds Jones, in Lorain Co.; 
in O. S. U. Mus., by the author, from Sandusky. 
Order: WRODEL A: 
Family: CRYPTOBRANCHIDAE. 
Cryptobranchus alleganiensis (Daudin). Without external gills. 
Body flattened, sides extending in lateral folds. Neck wide, skin leathery, 
brownish in color. Toes 4-5. ‘Tail compressed. Length average 2 feet. 
The Hell-bender is a most dangerous-looking creature, but a 
more harmless one is difficult to imagine. It is extremely slug- 
gish in its movements save when in its normal habitat. In search 
of food its movements are accelerated. It is widely distributed 
over the State, but is seldom taken in any numbers. ‘They are 
very common in the Ohio River, where they are known as the 
‘* Little Alligator.’’ Their food as adults consists of crustaceans, 
mollusks and worms. 
Specimens in the U. S. Nat. Mus. recorded by Cope, from Poland. In 
the Cin. Soc. Nat. His., collected by Dr. Lindahl in the Ohio River, and by 
W. A. McCord in Hamilton Co.; specimens in O. S. U. Mus., by E. V. Wil- 
cox, at Westerville; by Otto Swezey, in the Scioto River; also reported 
from Columbus. 
family: AMBLYSTOMATIDAE. 
Amblystoma opacum Gravenhorst. Back black, crossed by a series 
of lighter bands. Sides plain. Below dark plumbeous, plain. Costal 
grooves1t. No dorsal furrow present. Body stout. Length 7% in. or 
under. 
This salamander is found under rotten logs in damp places, 
away from bodies of water. It is sometimes found in quite dry 
