506 PROCEEDINGS OF THE INDIANA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



Maxinkuekee, probably the soil is too sandy. One specimen was obtained 

 at Culver in 1906, and one captured under a chunk in Farrar's woods on 

 October .5, 1907. This one had a row of yellow spots along the middle of the 

 back. 



In spite of its rather handsome coloration, the Spotted Salamander, with 

 its blunt, stubby head and slimy body, is a rather unattractive creature. 

 They spend the day hiding under logs, chunks or stones, in moist cool ground. 

 They probably seek their prey at night. Although generally viewed "with 

 distrust, they are perfectly harmless, and probably do good by devouring 

 no.xious insects. 



Costal grooves 10 or 11, usually 11; sole with one indistinct tubercle, or 

 none; black above \\ith a series of round yellow spots on each side of the 

 back; body broad, depressed and swollen; skin punctuate with small pores 

 from which e.xudes a milky fluid; 2 or 3 clusters of enlarged pores on head; 

 a strong dorsal groove; tail 2I3 in length; length 6 inches. 



'.i. Ainbyslotna (igrinum (Green). 

 Tiger Salamander. 

 The Tiger Salamander does not appear to be common in this region. 

 Our collections contain only two specimens, one obtained in 1900, and one 

 in Farrar's woods, October n. 1907. 



4. Ambystoina jeffersonianum (Green). 

 Common Salamander. 



The Common Salamander is frequent from Virginia to Indiana and north- 

 ward. At Lake Maxinkuekee it does not appear to be common, only five 

 examples having been taken. These were obtained under logs in damp 

 ground on the east side of the lake in the autumn of 1906 (August 3 and 

 October 14) ; all had small pale blue spots along the lower portion of the sides. 



In .some parts of the country, one of the first signs of spring soon after the 

 ice has disapi)eared and the water is still frigid, and before the frogs have 

 yet begun to sing, is the sight of a number of these creatures in the bottom of 

 shallow pools, too stiff almost to move, prejjaring to lay their eggs. The 

 eggs are small .shot-like black objects, surrounded by a thick sphere of 

 clear jelly, a number cohering to form an irregular mass. As the water warms 

 up, the embryos develop rapidly, first lengthening somewhat, then bending 

 to a comma-like form, and finally the little fish-like larva, with gill-tufts on 

 each side of the neck, wiggles through the jelly. On April 23. 1901, some 

 larval salamanders were found swimming in Farrar's pond, which may have 

 belonged to this species. The creatures develop rapidly into the mature 

 form and leave the pool; in a few weeks none can be found there. The mature 

 form spends its days under chunks and logs in moist places, and probably 

 spends its nights in search of prey. 



