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THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 



is usually found hiding under flat stones in the beds of brooks, not 

 actually under water, but where the soil is thoroughly saturated 

 with moisture. When disturbed in its hiding-places, it does not 

 entirely depend upon its diminutive limbs for escaping from 

 danger, but makes surprisingly rapid progress by doubling its 

 body into a series of lateral undvilations and suddenly straighten- 

 ing it. The result is a number of bewildering jumps. This per- 

 formance is varied with a snake-like wriggling. Thus, with a 

 combination of agile motions, the little animal makes like a flash 



FIG. 9. THE TWO-LINED OR YELLOW-BACKED SALAMANDER 

 From specimen in New York Zoological Park 



for the water and secretes itself among the stones. It is seldom 

 seen except in the immediate vicinity of water, and the lar\'ae 

 attain nearly the size of the adult before they begin an air- 

 breathing existence. 



The Long-tailed, or Cave, Salamander, Spelerpes longtcaitda 

 Green (Fig. lo), resembles in form the Two-lined Salamander, 

 Long-tailed ^^^ ^^ ^ larger species and has a proportionately 

 or Cave, 'longer tail. The tail is much compressed and con- 

 Salaman- siderably longer than the body. The back is rich 

 ^^^' yellow, the sides paler. Scattered over the entire upper 



surface are coarse, black dots, which, on the sides of the tail 



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