180 THE AMERICAN NATURALIST. [Vor. XXXIV. 
stopped. This is beautifully shown in the photograph (Fig. 1) 
where the large animal has the left legs near each other, and 
the right far apart. If the vessel contains, for example, water- 
cress, they crawl in among the branches, stop as when walking 
on firm bottom, with the legs in such a position as fits easiest 
for gliding in among the twigs. 
They are never seen to move faster than a slow, easy walk, 
except when disturbed by external stimuli! Then one of three 
methods of locomotion may follow. 
I. The walking speed may pass into a grotesque run by 
long strides and corresponding winds of the body ; or, 2. This 
passes into a combined movement of legs and tail, the last act- 
Fic. 1. — Photograph of a living salamander from the side. 
ing asfin. 3. Atits greatest speed the legs are laid lengthwise 
against the body, and the tail only used for locomotion. 
The legs are exceedingly slender and weak. If the animal 
is placed on a table out of water, the body falls to the floor, and 
at best the animal may wriggle a few inches. 
1 The motion in water is, for the most part, slow and cautious, the movement 
of the long legs being apparently calculated to produce the least commotion in the 
water. The motion suggests that of a cat creeping upon its prey, or the elephan- 
tine progression of the snapping turtle. The feet are lifted high in walking, and 
the body is kept from the bottom by the full length of the fore arm and leg. I 
ordinary progression the body slopes from the nose to the tail, which drags (Fig. 1). 
d of moving the limbs is as follows : Left hand and, when this is nearly 
ready to place, or usually when placed, the right foot. When the right foot is 
placed, then the right hand and then the left foot. As the hand of one side is not 
raised till the foot of the same side is placed, the enormous strides of the long- 
legged creature causes it to step on its hand or even beyond. Its natural gait is a 
deliberate progression by means of its feet with three feet usually on the ground. 
Any attempt at great rapidity by this means of locomotion results in a most undig- 
nified and futile wriggle. When going slowly the head is held sloping upward. 
When walking rapidly it is held sloping down, so that the snout is near the 
ground. 
