THE BATRACHTA OF NORTH AMERICA. 79 



The characters of the variety califoriiieiise [AmMystoma californiense 

 Gray) are as follows: 



The proportions and general character of the glands, pits, etc., appear 

 much like those of A. ^n'm^w; in ^ome. \QS>\)QQ,i^ oi A. punctatum. I 

 do not detect any patches of large pores on the top of the head and 

 neck in one specimen, but in another a series of large whitish dots be- 

 neath the epidermis seems to indicate their presence. Of these one 

 patch is placed on top of the head, within the orbit; another on the 

 parotid region. Some pores, however, are distinctly visible behind the 

 angle of the mouth, sending forward a series along the margin of the 

 lower jaw under the chin. 



The head is broad, but also long,' the width being decidedly less than 

 the distance from snout to gular fold. The gape is very large, the 

 length nearly two-thirds the width. The width in seven specimens is 

 contained 4^ times in the distance from snout to groin ; in one specimen 

 4 times only. The eyes are separated only by 2^ lengths of the orbit. 



The tongue is very large, nearly filling the whole lower jaw. It is 

 three fourths the width of the head. 



There is quite a difference in the character of the palatine teeth of 

 the ten specimens before me. In both the central part of the series forms 

 a decided \J, the angle sharp, and reaching to the anterior margin of 

 the inner nos.trils. The limbs extend backwards, slight!}^ in an 3 shape, 

 a short distance behind the inner nostrils and in line with their inner 

 border, and then connect with the external segments of the palatine 

 series, which extend (nearly transversely, but a little obliquely back 

 wards) to a line with the outer margin of the inner nostrils. In both 

 specimens the two sides of the j3alatine series are not symmetrical and 

 of unequal length. One specimen shows a distinct interval between 

 the central V and the lateral segment, as well as at the angle of the V 5 

 in the other the four elements are continuous. 



There appear to be twelve costal furrows. The tail is compressed, but 

 not high; in one specimen it is as long as head and body; in another 

 shorter. Shows a sharp ridge above from near the base and for the 

 terminal half below in one specimen; not so much in another. 



The limbs are well developed, the digits depressed and triangular, 

 but less so than in many aquatic Amblystomata, 



The color of the species is blackish in alcohol; rather paler below. 

 On each side of the belly or lower part of the sides of body and tail is 

 a series of bright su!phur-yellow spots, mostly nearly circular, some- 

 times oblong, and varying in size, though generally larger than the 

 orbit. The spots are few in number; five or six from head to tail and 

 four or five on the side of tail. 



In one of the specimens are sojne smaller rounded spots on each side 

 of the dorsal line, three or four in each series. These are not sym- 

 metrically disposed, as in A. jmnctatum. 



As Dr. Gray remarks, this variety has a certain resemblance exter- 



