THE BATRACHIA OF NORTH AMERICA. 75 



tail, exteudiDg down on tlie sides as transverse ellipsoid bands of 

 large size, perhaps equal to the space between two costal grooves j the 

 blotches of opposite sides sometimes alternate, sometimes are opposite, 

 and are frequently confluent here and there, which is generally the 

 case on the tail, where they form yellow encircling rings, iuterruiJted 

 below. Along the sides of belly and lower part of the sides is a simi- 

 lar series of yellow ellipses, but usually larger; those of the same side 

 usually somewhat confluent, sometimes entirely so, leaving a dusky 

 central line of the belly. The limbs are blotched black and yellow. 



The yellow sometimes predominates so as to almost form the ground 

 color, encroaching largely, too, on the yellow of the belly. In general, 

 however, there is little or no tendency to an anastomosis or reticula- 

 tion of the dark interspaces, as in an allied species. Smaller, rounded, 

 irregularly scattered spots of yellow are seldom, if ever, seen as in 

 Eastern form. 



The ground color is sometimes uniformly dusky above, although the 

 lighter transverse ellipses can be usually made out ; perhaps they are 

 always appreciable in life. 



Dumeril and Bibrou have given a good colored figure of this form 

 under the name Amhystome a' bandes. The green is, however, too bril- 

 liant. 



In the preceding general description I have endeavored to represent 

 the distinguishing features of what I believe to be a single species vary, 

 ing very much in shape of palatine teeth, proportions, color, etc. From 

 the synonymy it will be seen that I combine under the oldest name of 

 mawrtium, proserpine and nehulosum also. Although the type speci- 

 mens of these supposed species differ sufficiently among each other, yet 

 there are sufficient connecting links in the large series before me, and it 

 would be no difficult task to pick out a dozen more specimens each as 

 distinct from the other and the above as the latter are among them- 

 selves. 



One great source of the diversity of character in different specimens 

 of this Protean species is to be found in the very different sizes of specir 

 mens in the same stage of growth, while in some the full metamorphosis 

 will have been accomplished with a length of three or four inches, in 

 others the branchite are still visible at a much greater size. In one 

 female specimen of 8 inches in length (4978), the branchise are still ap- 

 preciable, the fissures in the neck not being closed up, although the 

 ovaries and oviduct would indicate that it was captured when in full 

 breeding condition. This embryonic tendency is almost alwajs indicated 

 further by shorter gape of the mouth, the tongue smaller, flatter, more 

 adherent, not at all or very little free at the edges, and little or not at 

 all papillose, but exhibiting a cartilaginous surface. The palatine 

 teeth in the embryonic state are more arched anteriorly, more or less 

 parallel with the maxillary series, less prominent above the soft palate, 

 and extending a less distance laterally. The digits are more depresed, 



