AMPHIBIANS 



361 



the United States and Mexico, also known as 

 the axolotl, is capable of reproducing while still 

 in the aquatic condition, with external gills. 

 It has, nevertheless, a mature, terrestrial stage, 

 in which it appears as a salamander with large 

 yellow spots or blotches. A remarkable newt, 

 the Typhlomolgfy is found in underground 

 waters in Texas. Being permanently in the 

 dark, it is colorless, and the eyes are hidden and 

 useless. 



Anura ("without tail"), the tailless amphibians; jumping 

 also called Batrachia Salientia, from their habit 

 of jumping. These are the frogs and toads, toads 

 well known to all. The species are numerous, 

 and differ much in details of structure. The 

 young are known as tadpoles, and undergo a 

 curious metamorphosis. The tail is not 

 dropped off, but absorbed. One group of 



Photograph by E. R. Sanborn, N. Y. Zool. Soc. 

 FIG. 140. Tadpoles of common frog. 



