44 SALAMANDRA ERYTHRONOTA. 



Colour. The head above is reddish-brown, the upper and lower jaw tinged 

 with yellow. The back is marked with a broad vertebral band of reddish-brown, 

 which extends to near the tip of the tail; below this the flanks are yellowish- 

 brown, as well as the sides of the tail. The anterior and posterior extremities 

 are yellowish-brown above. The whole inferior surface of the animal, body, tail 

 and extremities, is dusky-white. 



Dimensions. Length of head, 3| lines; of body to vent, 1 inch 3 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. 



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, in Kentucky. 



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 bavins first observed and described 

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

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



