1925] Storer: A Synopsis of the Amphibia of California 
61 
fore limb; digits slightly more slender than those of fore limb, in 
order of decreasing length 4, 3, 2, 5, 1 ; two low tubercles on sole of 
foot, inner one slightly larger; body subquadrate at anal region, 
beyond which tail is abruptly smaller and compressed to end; dorsal 
margin of tail with fleshy fin in some individuals; lateral surface of 
tail near base with numerous vertical grooves; ventral surface of tail 
flattened near base, compressed distally. 
Tongue filling two -thirds or more of width of mouth, exhibiting 
numerous narrow lengthwise folds; internal nares slightly more sep- 
arated than external nares; vomerine teeth in two lines, originating 
laterally behind internal nares, extending forward medially to meet 
at an angle opposite or slightly forward of anterior border of internal 
nares. Whole body soft and smooth ; mucous pores very abundant. 
General ground color (in life) of upper and lateral surfaces of 
body and tail, chin and throat, and all surfaces of limbs and feet, 
black; lateral and ventral surfaces of body and of tail (less often 
dorsal surface as well) with large discrete spots of pale yellow; ven- 
tral surface of body, dusky yellow. (In alcohol the dark color fades 
in varying degree, some specimens becoming bluish black, others pale 
purplish brown.) 
Measurements of Adult Specimens of Ambystoma californiense from 
California 
Description of larva (from living specimens). — Head broad, flat 
in profile, snout truncate, sides of head nearly parallel posteriorly; 
greatest width of head about 1% times greatest diameter of body; no 
canthus rostralis; orbit situated about twice its diameter from end of 
snout ; interorbital width nearly twice diameter of orbit ; body broad- 
est just behind neck region ; costal furrows faint ; limbs and digits 
slender; digits and toes slightly exceeding length of palm and sole; 
dorsal fin high, commencing at posterior margin of head, deeper than 
body at base of tail, its free margin a smooth slight curve nearly to 
end of tail ; ventral fin beginning just posterior to anus. Gills about 
equaling head in length, with a double row of filaments along ventral 
side of each gill (pi. 7, fig. 15). 
