70 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. xxx. 



cause it to stir, the heat of a candle or occasional!}^ the near approach 

 of an object will arouse it to action. Its actions when touched are 

 almost galvanic; leaping a foot or more at the first move, it continues 

 to retreat for several feet b}' a series of leaps and wriggles. Having 

 placed some distance between itself and the cause of its fright it again 

 becomes quiet and is almost as hard to disturb as before. 



This apparent apathy even in the glare of a powerful light would 

 seem to indicate poor visual powers, but the e^'e of S. niacuUcaudus is 

 in nowise degenerate, being as well developed as in the closely related * 

 S. longicaudus^ a species almost entirely epigean. In this respect it 

 differs from all other salamanders known to be true cave dwellers. 

 TypJdotriton.^l^ehvvsoi southwestern Missouri has eyes well developed 

 when young, but somewhat degenerate when adult, while TypldoiDolge 

 rathhuni of the subterranean streams of Texas has exceedingl}^ degen- 

 erate eyes, surpassing- in this respect even the renowned Proteus of 

 Europe. 



Returning now to the subject of our sketch, we will continue the 

 discussion of the habits of the adult S. maculicaudns. It is not aquatic 

 to any extent; two or three specimens only have been found in shal- 

 low water during our collecting. In captivity, where choice is 

 afforded, it always prefers to remain in a damp place whether remote 

 from or near the water, rather than in that element itself. 



dp:vkl()p:\ient. 



In the l)reeding season, however, individuals of this species resort 

 to pools of water to deposit their eggs. The process of mating has 

 not been observed nor have the eggs been seen. The larvw have first 

 been found about Februar}' 5, and are at this time slight!}' under 18 

 mm. in length. Assuming Sjyelerjyes macidica\idus to have about the 

 same I'ate of growth as some common salamander with which we are 

 familiar, for instance, Amhhjstoma opacum^ these larvaj are about one 

 month old. This granted, it follows that the eggs are laid in the early! 

 part of Jaruiary. Small larva? have been found as late as March 20, 

 indicating a later period of oviposition, but there is no doubt that in 

 Maytield's Cave the bulk of the eggs of this species are laid at the 

 earlier date. 



At 17.5 mm. the larvae are fairly active. They have a full comple- 

 ment of digits showing that the first larxal stages are rapid, and that 

 perfection in larval /'^>/v>/ is reached comparatively early. The attain- 

 ment of larger size is, however, a slower process. Twenty-five milli- 

 meters is pro])al)ly the average maximum size reached the first spring. 

 Up to this time the larvai are fairly uniform in size, but by the suc- 

 ceeding autumn there is a great disparity to be noticed. Larvae measur- 

 ing from 31 to 56.5 nmi. have been taken in autunui, and some trans- 

 form at this season. Most of them, however, mature later, twelve to 

 fifteen months after their appearance in the cave. 



