BATRACHIA. 



FAM. SALAMAKDRIDAE. 



PALATINE teeth extant, and disposed upon two diverging or else parallel 

 series, along the inner hinder edge of the vomero-palatine bones, 

 which are elongated. Sphenoid bone toothless. 



SYN. Salamandridae, GRAY, Ann. of Philos. 1825, 215. BONAP. Saggio Distr. 

 inetod. Anim. vertebr. 1831, 84. GEAY, Catal. Amph. Brit. Mus. II, 1850, 14. 



OBSEEV. All the genera which constitute the present family are 

 characterized by the peculiar disposition of the palatine teeth, which 

 are arranged upon two longitudinal series ; " one on the inner hinder 

 edge of each of the elongated triangular vomerine bones," as observed 

 by J. E. Gray. The sphenoid bone is toothless. The tongue is broad ; 

 free laterally, and more or less free also posteriorly. 



GENUS TARICHA, GRAY. 



GEN. CHAR. Head broad, depressed. Snout protruding slightly 

 beyond the lower jaw. Tongue rather small, rounded or elliptical, 

 attached by almost its whole under surface. Palatine teeth dis- 

 posed upon two longitudinal series, forming an elongated and very 

 acute angle. Maxillary teeth rather small. Tail very long and 

 compressed. Four fingers and five toes, entirely free, broad and 

 depressed. Skin either smooth or granular. 



SYN. Tariclia, GRAY, Catal. Amph. Brit. Mus. II, 1850, 25. 



OBSERV. With a general resemblance to Tritons, the species of this 

 genus may be readily distinguished from the latter by the inconspicu- 

 ousness of the maxillary teeth, by a much smaller tongue, and by the 

 absence of a series of pores on either side of the abdomen. 



Eschscholtz, in his " Zoologischer Atlas," has furnished us with 

 valuable information regarding the anatomical structure and zoological 

 characters of this genus. 



Two species of the genus Tariclia have so far been described ; both 

 inhabiting the western coast of North America. One of these was 



