50 BULLETIN 34^ UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



the rami anteriorly, and more than half the width of the head. The 

 inner nostrils are quite lateral. 



The palatine teeth form a very obtuse angle anteriorly, reaobing to 

 about opposite the middle of the inner nares and extending laterally 

 beyond them by about one diameter. There is a slight interruption 

 along the median line, but no appreciable one elsewhere. The limbs of 

 the V are not entirely straight, but form a double curve (scarcely apj^re- 

 ciable) on each side. There are twelve costal grooves. The pelvic 

 grooves are not appreciable, and only those at the base of the tail. 



e "7 2 



FiCr. 14. — Amhbjstnm.a xiphiaR. No. 4135. Coli.mliiis, Ohio. 



The tail is very long, considerably exceeding the rest of the animal, 

 much compressed from the base, though not elevated ; oval in cross-sec- 

 tion, and only becoming sharp near the tip, without any crest. No 

 grooves are visible along dorsal or ventral outline. 



There do not appear to be any peculiarities in the feet distinguishing 

 it from other aquatic Amblystomas. 



The color of this species is a yellowish-olive; brighter yellow be- 

 neath, with more or less ana stomosing or reticulating bands of well-de- 

 fined brown on the back and sides, and a few rounded spots of the 

 same on the belly. These bauds in width average, perhaps, the diame- 

 ter of the eye, though variable in this respect. Compared with A. ti- 

 grinum, this species has a proportionally smaller head, more prominent 

 lower jaw, much longer tail, and different color; yellow predominating 

 in the one and brown in the other. The relationship, however, appears 

 to be very close. The digits, perhaps, are narrower, though also trian- 

 gular and depressed. 



The only specimen of the A. xipMas yet known is from Columbus, Ohio 

 (No. 4] 35). 



