BATRACHIA ; FISHES. 125 



The notes of Hyla versicolor Le Conte (Common Tree Toad) were 

 heard from the train on the way into the mountains, but this species 

 appeared to be absent from the higher parts of the region. 



Along the borders of Esopus Creek Spdcrpes bili7ieatus was found 

 to be common, and its larvae were numerous among the stones at 

 the shallow margin. One individual was taken at an elevation of 

 nearly 2,700 feet. Extending to a still greater altitude — nearly or 

 quite a thousand feet higher — occurred that high northwardly extend- 

 ing Salamander. Pldhodon crythronotus. of which several specimens 

 were unearthed. In one example the red color of the dorsal aspect 

 was of a brighter and more pink shade than is common, and seemed 

 to have burst out laterally from the conventional dorsal band, 

 invading the dusky color of the sides, running out on the limbs and 

 passing almost around the neck. That characteristic Alleghany 

 Mountain Salamander, DcsmognatJius ocJirophcea, was found in abun- 

 dance near Pine Hill exhibiting great variation in color. In some fresh 

 examples the yellowish-brown coloration of the upper surface had a 

 peculiar satiny or metallic lustre, closely resembling the color of old 

 gold. This same characteristic of coloration is often seen in Spdcrpes 

 bilineatuSy rendering- the sinofular oreneral resemblance between these 

 species still more close. 



The mountain streams abounded with Brook Trout, but no other 

 fish large enough to take the hook was noticed beyond, about. 1 ,600— 

 1,700 feet elevation, though, as no special search was made, small 

 species could easily have been and doubtless were overlooked. The 

 little Black- nosed Dace [Rhi?iichthys aironasiis) ascended however to 

 about the elevation named, and several common fishes were reported 

 from the stream in the main valley. 



Although it was intended to limit this cursory survey of faunal 

 characteristics to the vertebrates, we may pause for a brief glance 

 at the Molluscous Fauna of the region, which differs strikingly from 

 that of the Lower Hudson Valley at New York City. In general 

 it may be said that the more conspicuous species of land- shells most 



