406 CLASS REPTILIA. 



TJie Common Salamander, {Lacerta, Salamandra, 

 Lin., Salam Maculosa, Laur. Lacep. II. pi. xxx.) 



Black, with great spots of a lively yellow ; on its 

 sides are ranges of tubercles, from which, in time 

 of danger, oozes a bitter milky fluid, of a powerful 

 odour, and poisonous to weak animals. This pro- 

 bably has given rise to the fable that the salamander 

 can resist the flames. It remains in humid places, 

 and retires into subterraneous holes ; feeds on 

 worms, insects and humus ; receives the seed of the 

 male internally ; produces its young alive, and depo- 

 sits them in marshes. In their early age, these 

 animals have the tail compressed vertically, and 

 gills.* 



In the Alps Is found a salamander, like the com- 

 mon, but entiiely black, and without spots. (Sal. 

 Atra, Laur. pi. 1. Laurenti pL 1. f. 2.) 



The Spectacled Salamander, (Sal. Perspicillata, Savi.) 



Has but four toes on the hind feet, as well as 

 on the fore. It is black above, yellow spotted 

 with black underneath, and has a yellow line across 

 over the eyes. It is a small animal of the Ap- 

 pennines.f 



* See, Ad. Fred. Funek. De Salem terresti. vita, evolutione, formatione, 

 Berlin, l827. 



f We have ascertained that the Said trois doigts,{L,aeep. II. pi. 36.) is 

 but a dried individual, a little mutilated, of the Sal. Perspicillata. Add 

 Sal. Savi. Gosse. 



