Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 629 



In spite of its rather handsome coloration, the Spotted Sala- 

 mander, with its blunt stubby head and slimy body, is a rather un- 

 attractive creature. They spend the day hiding under logs, chunks 

 or stones, in moist cool ground. They probably seek their prey 

 at night. Although generally viewed with distrust, they are per- 

 fectly harmless, and probably do good by devouring noxious insects. 



Costal grooves 10 or 11, usually 11 ; sole with one indistinct 

 tubercle, or none ; black above with a series of round yellow spots 

 on each side of the back; body broad, depressed and swollen; skin 

 punctate with small pores from which exudes a milky fluid ; 2 or 

 3 clusters of enlarged pores on head; a strong dorsal groove; tail 

 2i in length ; length 6 inches. 



3. TIGER SALAMANDER 



AMBYSTOMA TIGRINUM (Green) 



The Tiger Salamander does not appear to be common in this 

 region. Our collections contain only two specimens, one obtained 

 in 1906, and one in Farrar's woods October 5, 1907. 



4. COMMON SALAMANDER 



AMBYSTOMA JEFFERSONIANUM (Green) 



The Common Salamander is frequent from Virginia to Indiana 

 and northward. At Lake Maxinkuckee it does not appear to be 

 common, only five examples having been taken. These were ob- 

 tained under logs in damp ground on the east side of the lake in 

 the autumn of 1906 (August 3 and October 14) ; all had small pale 

 blue spots along the lower portion of the sides. None has been 

 seen spawning here. 



In some parts of the country, one of the first signs of spring, 

 soon after the ice has disappeared and the water is still frigid, and 

 before the frogs have yet begun to sing, is the sight of a number 

 of these creatures in the bottom of shallow pools, too stiff almost 

 to move, preparing to lay their eggs. The eggs are small, shot-like, 

 black objects, surrounded by a thick sphere of clear jelly, a num- 

 ber cohering to form an irregular mass. As the water warms up, 

 the eggs develop rapidly, first lengthening somewhat, then bending 

 to a comma-like form, and finally the little fish-like larva, with 

 gill-tufts on each side of the neck, wiggles through the jelly. On 

 April 23, 1901, some larval salamanders were found swimming in 

 Farrar's pond, which may have belonged to this species. The 

 creatures develop rapidly into the mature form and leave the pool ; 

 in a few weeks none can be found there. The mature form spends 



