BATRACHIANS AND REPTILES OF ONTARIO. 



GENUS PLETHODON. 



(7) Plechodon cinereus. 



(Red-backed salamander.) 



Its habits are entirely terrestrial as it is never, even in the larval 

 stage found in water. The eggs are deposited in a little package be- 

 neath a stone, in a damp place. When the young emerge they are pro- 

 vided with branchiae, but these soon disappear. 



Common everywhere and may be readily found by turning over 

 logs or stones in the woods. 



FAMILY DESMOGNATHIDyE. 

 GENUS DESMOGNATHUS. 



(8) Desmognathus fusca. 



Rare ; has been taken in south-western Ontario. Aquatic. 



(*) (9) Desmognathus nigra. 



(Black salamander.) 

 Rare ; occurring in shallow stony brooks. 



FAMILY PLEURODELID/E. (THE NEWTS.) 

 GENUS DIEMYCTYLUS. 



(10) Diemyctylus viridiscens. 

 (Newt. Evet. Eft.) 



Common ; generally distributed through southern Ontario. 



Of this species there are two distinct forms, one entirely aquatic, 

 dark olive green above, lemon yellow below, and having on each side a 

 row of rather large vermillion spots each surrounded by a black ring. 

 The other and better known one, being the little red lizard (so calleidV 

 which is frequently found in woods after rain. The red coloration is 

 only assumed if the animal leaves the water and adopts terrestrial habits 

 and is again lost when it returns to the water. 



The red form was for a long time considered a distinct species and 

 has been frequently described as D. mineatus. 



Order SALIENTIA. (The Tailless Batrachians.) 



In the adults the body is broad and short ; the hinder pair of limbs 

 long and strong, adapted for leaping. Tail absent. The young (Tad- 

 poles) have the head broad, external branchiae, a long tail, no limbs and 

 no teeth ; the intestinal canal is very long, adapted to a vegetable diet. 

 As they develop the tail is absorbed and the legs gradually appear. 

 During this stage they are entirely aquatic, but upon attaining mature 



