BATRACHIANS OF THE VICINITY OF NEW YORK 169 



The Four-toed Salamander, Hemidactylium scutatum Tschudi 

 (Fig. 5), is small, with cylindrical body and very bluntly oval 

 tail. Color above, deep reddish brown; about the pour-toed 

 head, especially on the snout, there is a lighter shade, Salaman- 

 approaching bronze. Close examination of most speci- ^^^' 



mens will reveal the presence of numerous dark spots on the 

 upper surfaces. The sides of the body present a mottled ap- 



FIQ. 5. THE FOUR-TOED SALAMANDER 

 From specimen in Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 



pearance, and the ground color is much lighter than on the back. 

 The entire under surface is bluish-white, with a few, irregularly 

 placed dark spots, presenting a strong contrast with the principal 

 color. 



This small species somewhat approaches the Gray Salamander 

 in appearance, but may be distinguished therefrom by its very 

 blunt snout and proportionately shorter tail. The back and the 

 sides are strongly marked with furrows, a feature in which the 

 species is quite unique. The limbs are small and weak. There 

 are but four toes on the hind foot. Total length, 3 inches; 

 length of tail, i^ inches. 



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