THE BATRACIIIA OF NORTH AMERICA 



53 



sion forward of tlie plain basal portion of the tongue, although there is 

 uo groove, and exhibiting two proQiinent cornua to the tongue proper. 

 The papillose ridges are longitudinal and nearly parallel. 



In alcohol this species is a light brown above, paler beneath, irregu- 

 larly sprinkled, blotched, and marbled witli silvery or plumbeous gray, 

 of a lichen-like character. Specimens when alive sliow the ground color 

 to be a dark brownish or liver black, more livid on the sides, and per- 

 haps lighter beneath ; everywhere sprinkled with the silvery-gray dots 

 of larger size on the back. The upper part of the tail is of a purer 

 brown than elsewhere, and is bordered by a series of obscure blackish 

 spots ; seen also near the lower margin.. A few similar dusky spots ap- 

 pear scattered on the back. The iris appears to be a dark brown with- 

 out metallic luster. 



A series of specimens from Prairie Mer Eouge, Louisiana, is quite 

 similar. Some of them appear to have just comi)leted the change from 

 the tadpole state, and the tail is higher, more compressed, and somewhat 

 crested ; the toes, shorter, flatter 5 the papillose folds of the tongue 



more indistinct. 



Measuremevts. 



Inches. 



Length from snout to transverse line of mouth 30 



Length from snout to gular fold 55 



Length from snout to groin 1.90 



Length from snout to behind arms y. 30 



Length from snout to end of tail 3. 80 



Length of tail L 50 



Width of head 52 



Length of fore-arm 46 



Length of hind leg from knee 50 



Extent of hind legs 1.70 



Greatest length of tail 31 



Greatest width at same place .15 



I found this species abundant in the high valley in southwestern 

 North Carolina in which the French Broad Eiver takes its origin from 

 mountain streams. Thence it extends through the southern Atlantic and 

 Gulf States to and including Louisiana, west of which it has not yet been 

 found. It is not aquatic, but lives in damp places below logs and stones. 



Fig. 7 .—Ambhfstoma talpoideum. No. B879. Prarie Mer Rouge, La. 



No. of 

 lino. 



Catalogue 

 number. 



3906 

 3879 

 3972 



No. of 

 spec. 



Locality. 



Liberty County, Ga . . . 

 I'raiiio Mer lioutje, La 

 Ncai Cairo, 111 



From whom received. 



Dr. Jones. 



I. Fairie. 



R. Konnicott. 



