NO. 1443. CAVE SALA3IANDERS—BANTA AND McATEE. 75 



These areas are roug-hlj^ circular to oblong, and are most prominent]}' 

 developed between the levels of the root of the fore limb and of the 

 cloaca, although each series ma}^ be traced more or less distinctly on 

 both the head and tail. Counting from the insertion of the fore leg to 

 the region which may be overlapped b}^ the hind one, there are in the 

 upper (first) series of areas about ten, in the middle or second series, 

 thirteen to tifteen, and in the lowest or third series from seven to 

 thirteen. 



The upper series is near the mid-dorsal line and in larvte from 17.5 

 to 21 mm, (tig. 2, Plates VIII and IX), is the most conspicuous of the 

 three, being made up of the largest areas. This series is first to dis- 

 appear in the development of the color pattern. The second series is 

 situated just above the middle of the side, being visible from above. 

 It is the longest lived of the series, sometimes remaining quite perfect 

 after transformation. The third and lowest series begins under the 

 fore leg and extends along the side toward the hind leg, sometimes 

 falling short of that point, sometimes surpassing it. This series is 

 the most variable and is not of nmch importance in the production of 

 the adult coloration. It is none the less an important larval character. 

 In some salamanders, notably various species of Ainhlystmna^ this 

 series exhibits metallic color. 



Returning now to the smallest of the larval stages (17.5 mm.) we 

 will trace the fate of the pigmentless areas and also of the abundant 

 pigment cells so uniformly covering the surface of the larvee of this 

 age. Besides the above-mentioned conspicuous immaculate areas, the 

 interstices of the pigment spots form a reticulation over the whole 

 body, which with the former makes the ground color of the larva. 

 In the stage at present under discussion this is light yellow." 



The ventral area in this as well as succeeding stages is pale. The 

 legs are covered above with a coarse network of pigment, generally 

 with an open space over the base of the toes, which is also a persistent 

 character in the larva. The particular feature to be noticed about 

 this larva, however, is the uniformity of coloration, especially of the 

 dorsal surface (fig. 1, Plate IX). At 21 mm. (fig. 2, Plates VIII and IX), 

 the principal differences to be noted are those due to growth. As a 

 result the only change in color is a general paling, due to the widening 

 of the spaces between the pigment spots. It is possible that this is 

 just a little more conspicuous in the area between the mid-dorsal line 

 and the first series of larval spots, beginning the most important change 

 of the next stage. 



At 31 mm. (not figured), the pigment on the dorsal surface on either 

 side of the mid-dorsal line begins to collect, forming nuclei for the 

 future spots. In this first stage of analj^sis the mid-dorsal region 

 retains its reticulated pigmentation. The 36.5 mm. larva (fig. 3, Plates 



" In formalin. 



