.398 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Family 1 CRYF>XOBRA.]NtCHIDA.E 



Giant salamanders 

 Represented by one species with the characters of the family. 



2 Cryptobranchus allegheniensis Daudin 

 • Hellbender 

 DeKay. Menopoma alleghanieusis, the Alleghany hellbender, p. 89, 



pi. 18, fig. 44 

 A large form, reaching at times, 2 feet. Generally lead-colored^ 

 -occasionally spotted ; head broad and flat ; body with a lateral fold 

 ■of skia. A veiy unprepossessing but harmless creature. Nothing 

 is known of its breeding habits. 



Probably found in the branches of the Alleghany river in the 

 western part of the state. Where it is common, it annoys fisher- 

 men by taking their hooks. It is remarkably tena'iious of life. 



Family 2 aivtblystomidae 

 Bluniruosed salamanders 

 Except for the two preceding forms the members of this family 

 are the largest and stoutest of our salamanders. They are almost 

 entirely land forms, except in the breeding season, the spring, when 

 tliey migrate to the ponds to lay their eggs. These are somewhat 

 larger and fewer than frogs eggs, and the jelly like mass surround- 

 ing them is whiter and more opaque. 



3 Amblystoma opacum Gravenhorst 

 Be Kay. Salamandra fasciata,' the blotched salamander, p. 77, pi. 17, 



fig. 40 

 Black above, with about 14 bluish gray bars running across ; belly 

 dark blue. 11 costal grooves between legs. Length Z\ inches; 

 very stout. 



Southern part of state. This species is found in dryer places 

 than the majority of salamanders, even on bare rocks in the sun 

 i(Mearn8) and in sandy places (Cope). 



