VARIATIONS OF TIIK SPOTTED SALAMANDER. 337 



yellow, as 1ms been supposed, but: to the absence of pigment, the 

 pigmentless Hesh, highly Unshed with blood, being exposed on 

 certain patches and the grey colour resulting from the absence of 

 yellow combined with a small quantity of black pigment. 



The lai-gest specimen of the var. molleri examined by me 

 measures 109 mm. to the posterior extremity of the vent, the 

 tail measuring 73. 



III. Var. t.^niata. 



This variety differs from the typical form in the arrangement 

 of the dorsal spots, which are regularly disposed in two parallel 

 series continuous with the patches on the parotoids, and not un- 

 frequently form two uninterrupted stripes. Even when the tv.'0 

 stripes are broken up into as many as 12 spots, these still retain 

 their duplex disposition, not encroaching over the black vertebral 

 line (Area A), or if they do so, as is rai'ely the case, only on the 

 nape and the posterior end of the body, where they may be con- 

 nected in H-like fashion by a cross-bar. Although in this variety 

 the black often predominates over the yellow, it is not uiicommon 

 to find specimens in which the reverse takes place. In cases 

 where the yellow has so far invaded the upper surface as to actually 

 constitute the ground-colour, the black vertebral stripe may be 

 reduced to a mere series of spots, and Werner (31, p. 155, pi. vii, 

 fig. 23) even mentions and figures one in which the black is com- 

 pletely absent from the back. The upper eyelid and the parotoid 

 gland are entirely yellow (the yellow patch on the latter raxely 

 broken up), the two spots nearly always running together and 

 often also confluent with the markings on the back, which is rarely 

 the case with the typical form. The sides are usually devoid of 

 markings, and if present they only occur in small numbers. 

 Yellow markings are usually present on the snout, which is but ex- 

 ceptionally the case with the typical form. The spot situated at the 

 angle of the mouth is absent in about 35 per cent, of the specimens. 

 Gular region and lower surface of body with a varying amount of 

 yellow, sometimes entirely yellow with a, black spot or bar on the 

 gular fold ; the markings have often a tendency to dispose them- 

 selves in longitudinal series, thus the belly may be black with 

 a yellow lateral stripe or yellow with one or two black stripes in 

 the middle. Limbs with the black usually predominating ; a 

 characteristic yellow blotch near the base of the arm and thigh, 

 and a second on the forearm and leg being constant, and usually 

 larger than in the typical form. Hand and foot mostly black and 

 yellow, the yellow patches being nearly always confluent with those 

 on the forearm and leg. Nearly entirely yellow specimens have 

 likewise yellow limbs M-ith merely 2 or 3 black spots or cross-bars. 

 As on the limbs, the yellow may predominate over the black on the 

 tail and frequently extend to the lower surface, which is rai'ely 

 the case in the typical form. The two yellow dorsal bands often 

 fuse on the upper surface of the tail. 



The colour varies from sulphur- or lemon-yellow to a deep orange. 



