All the tailed salamanders seem to dislike greatly to be turned 
over on their backs. They struggle violently to regain their 
normal position. While thus fastidious about being " right side 
up," .some, at least, of the Amblystomas show extremely little 
intelligence in avoiding falls. They will crawl right off the hand 
or the table regardless of consequences. Very seldom have I 
seen my large tigrinum hesitate to walk off the surface on which 
he was resting. Even then had he been touched he would have 
rushed insanely over. Prof Samuel Garman has observed that 
the tail o{ A. pmtctatiim is somewhat prehensile, and is employed 
to prevent itself from falling. I have observed something of the 
same kind in this species, but not in the others. It may be per- 
mitted to notice here the highly developed prehensile power in 
the tail of Diemyctyhs. Its rough flat tail is always ready to 
catch on objects, if need be. I have kept it hanging for a quarter 
of an hour on a slender penstock. 
I have heard A. microstojuum make a variety of sounds. One 
is a low piping sound uttered apparently just as the animal comes 
to the surface and emits air from its lungs. It may be heard at 
a distance of at least three or four feet. It may not be produced 
voluntarily. Sometimes the animal will poke its head out of the 
water and make a low clucking sound, accompanying it with a 
sudden movement of the throat. It also often produces a grating 
noise, as if by grinding its teeth together. It may be made to 
produce this noise by teasing it. 
