114 SALAMANDRA ERYTHRONOTA. 



Dimensions. Length of head to anterior extremities, 4 lines; of body to vent, 

 1 inch 2 lines; of tail beyond vent, 1 inch 2 lines; total length, 2 inches 8 lines. 



Habits. This is entirely a land animal, and is found under rocks and stones, 

 and decayed trees. 



Geographical Distribution. The Salamandra erythronota is, perhaps, the 

 most common species in the northern states, from latitude 44° to 39°; it is 

 abundant in the neighbourhood of Boston and Philadelphia; and if it be identical 

 with the Salamandra cinerea, of which I have no doubt, then is its range very 

 extensive, for Dr. Blanding has seen it as far south as Camden, in South Carolina, 

 and Say as far west as Louisville. 



General Remarks. The Salamandra cinerea is no doubt identical with the 

 Salamandra erythronota — its form, its proportions, its habits and localities, are 

 precisely the same, being often found in company under the same stone; its colour 

 is the same, except in having only a small remnant of the reddish-brown vertebral 

 band, or in wanting it altogether, which may be the result of old age. Dr. Green, 

 who first described the Salamandra cinerea, has, by further investigation, come 

 to the conclusion that these two species are identical; and in this he is supported 

 by Dr. Pickering. I have never had the opportunity of examining these animals 

 alive, as might be desired. 



To Professor Green belongs the merit of having first observed and described 

 the Salamandra now under consideration; for although he believed it was only a 

 variety of an animal described by Rafinesque, yet he informed me that Rafinesque 

 afterwards told him that the Salamandra erythronota was not the animal he 

 (Rafinesque) had in view, and which, indeed, he had pubhshed, under some other 

 name. 



