BULLETIN 34, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



CHONDROTUS TEXAN US Mattbes. 



(Plate 51, fig. 19) 



Salamandra lexmia, Matthes, Allgera. deutsclie naturh. Zeituug, i, 1855, p. 266. 

 Amhhjstoma ti-xanum Baird, U. S. Mex. Bound. Surv., ii, Kept., 29, PI. 35, fig. 15; 



Cope, Proc. Ac, Phila., 1867, p. 204; Straucb, Salaui., p. 65 ; Boulenger, Cat. Batr. 



Grad. Brit. Mus., cd. ii, 1882, p. 50. 



The description of this species is taken from specimens which are 

 not fully grown. The proportions are, however, much those of the G. 

 microstomiis at the same age. This, with the large number of costal 

 grooves, renders it almost certain that the full-grown individuals are 

 much like those of the latter species, and very probably of near the 

 same size. 



Skin everywhere quite smooth ; no traces of pores on the head or paro- 

 toid region in many siDecimens. Costal folds fourteen, distinct ; head 

 folds slighth' marked, the gular slight. A median dorsal groove. 



Head oval, rather flattened and broad; canthus rostralis somewhat 

 marked. Mouth large; canthus behind eye, anterior canthus of latter 

 marking middle of margin. Nostril a little nearer eye-fissure than 

 length of latter, probably equal in older specimens. AVidth between 

 anterior canthus of eye double length of fissure ; external separated 

 by one length of same, which is less than the distance between inner 

 nares. 



Tongue small, as in other young, but not fissured or grooved, as in 

 those of the two preceding species. Palatine teeth forming an arched 

 series between nares, extending to their anterior border, and not beyond 

 their inner border in the lateral direction. From their resemlance to 

 those of A. microstomum of the same age I suspect they are similar 

 in old individuals. 



Body rather slender ; width of head at jaws four times in total length 

 to groin, and .75 length to gular fold. Tail short, longer when older, 

 equal from its basis to axilla. Limbs moderately stout; digits elongate; 

 third and fourth toes nearly equal then fifth, second, first. Fingers 



Fig. 20. Chondrotus texanus, young. No. 4044. San Antonio, Texas ; 



Above, light brown, with a series of light spots along upper part of 

 sides; these are small, and one is between each pair of costal folds. 

 Sides and belly yellow. 



