TERRARIA AND AQUA-TERRARIA 



Desmognathus fusca (Raf.,) or Common Triton, Water Salamander, 

 has a rather large head, obtuse and rounded snout, rather long cylindrical 

 body, moderately long compressed and keeled tail. The limbs are rather 

 short with small digits. The colors are brown above, sometimes black, 

 with faint grey or purplish spots or shades, which become darker with age. 

 The lower side is marbled in dull greys and blackish tints. Length 4 

 inches. A very common and active form in springs and cold water 

 streams. Other species, are D. nigra, (Green,) having a stouter body and is 

 uniformly black in color, length 6 inches, found in mountain streams 

 and springs from Pennsylvania to Illinois and south, and D. ochrophaa 

 (Cope,) brownish-yellow, 3 inches long and may sometimes be found 

 under the moss on the banks of mountain streams and other cold water. 



Diemictylus veridescens (Raf.,) or Common Newt, Evet, Eft, has a 

 short and broad head, rather slender body, slender delicate limbs, and a 

 long, compressed tail. Three large pores are located behind the eye. 

 The colors of the upper surface of the adult are olive-green, sometimes 

 reddish of varying shades, with a number of scarlet spots on the sides, 

 and the lower side yellow with small blackish spots. Length 3 j^ inches. 

 Abundant over the entire eastern section of the United States in ponds 

 and streams. 



Diemictylus viridescens, {var. miniatus) (Raf,) or Red Eft, is similar to 

 the above, but of bright vermilion red, with a rougher skin. The larvae of 

 both species are similar in appearance and markings, and the difference in 

 color of the adult may be largely due to its life out of the water. Found 

 in the same localities but away from water under moss and stones. 



The two forms of salamander-like animals found in the eastern sec- 

 tion of the United States are: 



Necturus maculosus (Raf), or Mud Puppy, another of the Batrachia, 

 has a large flattened head with abrupt truncated snout, large bushy bright- 

 red gills forming three tufts on each side of the head; very short, weak 

 limbs, and a depressed and keeled tail. The colors are brownish or ashy- 

 grey with scattered darker spots, and the lower surface dusky-white. 

 Found over the eastern range of States, most numerous north and west of 

 the AUeghanies and the Great Lakes. It is sluggish in movement and 

 usually inhabits the greater depths, or is concealed in the mud and silt. 



Cryptobranchs alleganiensis (Daud.), or Hellbender, has a large broad 

 and flat head, with a short rounded snout, short neck, and a thick sub- 

 cylindrical body with thick folds of skin on the sides. The limbs are 

 short and weak, having short digits without nails. The tail is keeled and 

 very much compressed. The colors above are blackish, with darker in- 

 distinct markings, and paler below. Reaches a length of 18 inches. 



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