BATRACHIANS 313 



Of the salamanders, the Brown (Desmognathus fusca) 

 and the Two-lined {Spelerpes hislineatus) are the most 

 abundant. Both are semiaquatic, and always found near 

 brooks or ponds, frequently actually in the water. The 

 former is a dull brown in color, and reaches a length of four 

 inches. The Two-lined is much smaller and more slender, 

 brownish, with two yellow dorsal stripes. Both will thrive 

 in the terrarium, if it is kept moist, and feed freely on 

 earthworms, insects and raw meat. 



The Spotted Salamander (Amblystoma punctatum) is 

 a subterranean form, rarely found on the surface of the 

 ground except when it gathers at woodland ponds during 

 the breeding season. It is a brilliant creature, bluish-black 

 in color, thickly marked with small, round spots of yellow. 

 It is the largest of the eastern salamanders, reaching a 

 length of 6.7 inches. In captivity it is as hardy as the 

 other species. 



Amblystoma tigrinum, of the southern states and Mexico, 

 is of particular interest, as the adult form of the well-known 

 Axolotl. The larva is of large size, reaching a length of 

 six to eight inches. It is blackish in color, but albinos are 

 of very frequent occurrence. The species is peculiar, in the 

 fact that the larvae breed in their immature condition, and 

 not until careful experiments were undertaken was it found 

 that they metamorphosed into typical salamanders when 

 forced to breathe air. Axolotls thrive in captivity, and as 

 they are generally to be obtained from dealers, are excel- 

 lent objects for observation. 



