THE FISH-LIKE SALAMANDERS 



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border of the tongue being free. In general form this salamander closely resembles 

 its larger relative; the skin being porous and rather smooth, and the head covered 

 with scattered wart-like tubercles. The color is brown or grayish, with darker 

 blotches; but the tips of the toes are yellowish. In length this species, which is 

 the sole representative of its genus, reaches about sixteen or seventeen inches; and 

 it inhabits all the tributaries of the Mississippi, and ranges into North Carolina. 



In these streams it crawls or swims in a sluggish manner, seldom leaving the 

 water, although it can exist on land for twenty-four hours or so at a stretch, feeding 

 on crustaceans, worms, and fish, and being not unfrequently taken on the angler's 



THREE-TOED OR EEL-UKE SALAMANDER. 

 (One-half natural size.) 



hook. From the circumstance that the tadpoles have never been observed, it would 

 seem that the larval stage must be of very short duration; and the only thing known 

 about the development "of the species is that the eggs are of relatively-large size. 

 Although perfectly innocuous, the hellbender is regarded by American fishermen 

 as a most noxious and poisonous reptile. It was first taken alive to Europe in 

 1869, since which date it has been frequently exhibited; and if fed on meat or the 

 heads of fish will rapidly increase in size, although it appears to voluntarily under- 

 go long fasts. While in the water it has been observed to make the air from its 

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