REPTILES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 245 



transverse, upon the posterior. Fingers four in number, short, 

 free. Toes five in number, semipalmated ; the second, much the 

 longest ; a large tubercle beneath, resembles somewhat a sixth 

 toe. 



Salamandra. Brogniart. 



Generic characters. Body elongated ; tail long ; extremi- 

 ties four ; fingers four ; toes five ; no tympanum ; numerous 

 small teeth in the jaios ayid palate ; tongue as in frogs ; no 

 sternum^ ; ribs rudimental ; pelvis suspended by ligaments. 



S. erythronota. Green. The red-backed Salamander. 



Journal Acad. Nat. Sciences, vol. i. p. 356- 

 Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 95. 

 N. A. Herpet. vol. iii. p. 113, et fig. 



This beautiful and quite common species presents the follow- 

 ing characters. My description is drawn up from a specimen 

 between three and four inches in length. Tail rather shorter 

 than the body, cylindrical, gradually tapering to a sharp point. 

 On the upper part of the body, a broad band of a reddish brown 

 color, sprinkled with brown spots, extending from the snout to 

 the extremity of the tail, being less marked however upon the 

 latter. Beneath, cinereous ; much darker upon the sides. 

 Throat whitish, having a distinct fold. Upper part of the 

 head and tail, and also the sides of the body, presenting under 

 the microscope, a beautiful metallic lustre. Head wider than 

 the body, three lines in length, one and a half lines in width. 

 Eyes very prominent ; pupils black ; irides metallic-colored. 

 Anterior feet with four toes ; posterior, five toed. 



The motions of this species are very agile ; walking rapidly 

 when undisturbed, and running by sudden and irregular jerks 

 when taken. I kept specimens alive several weeks by allow- 

 ing them dead leaves, which were constantly kept moistened. 

 From correspondents, I have received them from Cambridge, 

 Roxbury, Milton and Amherst, at which places they were found 

 under stones and decayed wood. 



