FAMILY SALAMANDRID^. 79 



Tongue pediculate. Eyes prominent, with the upper margins of the orbits very projecting. 

 Gular fold very distinct. Fore feet " 5 in length, four-toed, very feeble in comparison with 

 the hind feet, which are 0'8 in length, and furnished with five toes. Tail long and slender, 

 very slightly compressed, and ending in a slender acute point. 



Color. Above, a lustrous dark-greenish slate of a uniform hue. Chin and abdomen mottled 

 with brown and grey. Lower surface of the tail uniform ashen grey. Gular fold soiled 

 white. Soles of the fore and hind feet white. 



Length of the head to the fold, .. 0'7. Length of the tail from the vent,. 3 "6. 

 From the cervical fold to the vent, 2 " 5. Total length, 6" 9. 



The colors of this species must be received with some reserve, as it was derived from a 

 specimen in spirits, sent to me by Dr. Emmons from the northern district of this State. That 

 gentleman, however, saw it alive, and the colors were little changed. In the same vessel 

 were specimens with a total length of 3 " 3, which I suppose to be younger individuals of the 

 same species. It had the same markings, and the same granulated appearance, although not 

 quite so obvious. The greatest observed difference was in the length and shape of the tail, 

 which was 1 -5 in length, compressed, carinate above, and pointed. 



It need scarcely be added, that a more extended series of observations, and a more thorough 

 knowledge of the changes effected by age, season and se.x, are necessary before we shall be 

 enabled to pronounce with certainty upon the specific identity of many of the animals of this 

 genus. 



This species is allied to the subfusca of Green ; from which, however, it may be distin- 

 guished by the length of its tail, and the absence of spots on the upper part of the body. 

 We believe, however, that subfusca was dropped as a species by its author. Dr. Holbrook 

 informs me that he has observed the granulata in Pennsylvania. 



THE STRIPED-BACK SALAMANDER. 



(Salamindra bilineata.) 



PLATE XXin. FIG. 67. 



Salamandra bisliTieata. Green, Joum. Acad. Nat. Sciences, Vol. 1, p. 352, 1818. 

 S. flavissima. Harlan, Am. Jour. 1825; Med. and Phys. Res. p. 98, 177. 

 S. bilineata. Holbrook, N. Am. Herpetology, Vol. 5. 



Characteristics. Cinereous or brownish yellow ; back with two or three black lines ; beneath 

 yellow. Tail longer than the head and body. Length three inches. 



Description. Body slender, elongate. Head broader than the body, rather depressed ; 

 snout oval. Eyes prominent. A cervical fold. Tail tapering, compressed, pointed, longer 

 than the head and body. 



