Dr. J. E. Gray on the Salamanders. 



293 



Having lately procured the skulls of several of the genera so 

 united, and also examined M. Gervais' and M. Duges' papers in the 

 ' Annales des Sciences Naturelles,' in which the skulls of several other 

 genera and species are figured, I am now induced to propose to di- 

 vide the genera into three sections or families as follows. 



In a group which offers so few permanent characters for the 

 separation of the genera and species, and which presents such differ- 

 ent varieties in the form of the dermal appendages, and in the colour 

 of the body at different seasons of the year, one is very glad to 

 seize on any part which appears to offer a permanent and tangible 

 character. 



Fam. I. Seiranotid^. 

 Seiranotina, Gray, Cat. B. M. 1850, 29. 



Skull very depressed, broad ; the fronto-temporal arch distinct 

 and united to the bones of the skull (figure 1). Tongue large, 

 hinder half free. Body granular. Palatine bones with a longitu- 

 dinal series of teeth forming two diverging series, angular in front. 

 Ribs well developed. Vertebrae crested above. Limbs and feet well 

 ossified. Toes 4 "4. 



1. Seiranota. 



Lateral line none. Skin closely and equally granular, granules 

 oblong. 



Seiranota perspicillata (skull, fig. 1). 



B.M. 



Fig. 1. 



Fig. 3. 



Fig. 2. 



Seiranota 

 perspicillata. 



Spelerpes 

 rubra. 



Caloiriton 

 pvnctulatus. 



Fam. IL PleurodelidjE. 



Skull depressed, broad, with a distinct fronto-temporal arch, 

 formed by the union of a process of the frontal and temporal bone 

 (fig. 2). Tongue moderate, attached ; hinder and side edges scarcely 

 free. Body granular. Palatine bone, with a longitudinal series of teeth 

 forming two diverging series, angular in front, llibs well developed. 

 Vertebra) crested above. Limbs and feet well ossified. Toes 4'5. 



