1889-] Notes on the Habits of Some Aniblystomas. 609 
Fearful lest some of them might escape, wire netting was laid 
over the box in such a way that it was thought that none could 
get out. Toward the last of June the dirt was carefully examined, 
and all of both species but eight specimens were gone. This 
will illustrate their ability to climb. They rely especially on 
climbing up the corners. I have watched them climb up the 
corners of a zinc box six inches high. They brace themselves 
on each side by pressing their feet against the walls. The tail is 
also brought into service, but when this was loosened the animal 
did not fall. 
Mention has been made of the food of the older larvae. The 
adults of the three species mentioned in this paper feed greedily 
on earthworms. When a worm is brought near the snout of a 
salamander, the latter may quietly observe it awhile ; or if the 
worm is crawling away, he may follow it for awhile. Soon, 
however, there is a sudden forward movement, the jaws open, the 
broad tongue is protruded ; and if the aim has been faulty, the 
jaws come together with a snap. If the worm has been caught, 
it is shaken as a dog shakes a snake; the part secured is held 
fast for awhile ; then another quick snap is made and a little 
more of the worm is taken in. In this way a worm several inches 
long may be swallowed. It is amusing to watch two large sala- 
manders try to swallow the same worm, one at each end. 
It is probable that earthworms furnish the bulk of the diet of 
the Aniblystomas ; but they are ready to eat almost anything of 
an animal nature. A year ago I put a tiger salamander, eight 
inches long, into a large case with glass sides, where I could 
watch him. It was occasionally convenient to put other things 
into the same receptacle ; and among them was a full-grown tree- 
frog, Hyla versicolor. Up to this time the salamander had not, 
so far as I knew, eaten anything for months. A few months 
afterward the salamander was found holding the frog by the foot, 
which on examination proved to be somewhat injured. During 
the day the frog kept out of the way of his persecutor ; but next 
morning it was missing, while the salamander lay in his box of 
sand blinking serenely, and showing a stomach that protruded 
like that of the proverbial alderman. A cricket-frog and a large 
