1925] Storer: A Synopsis of the Amphibia of California 67 
The egg masses are rounded oblong or kidney-shaped. The largest measures 
3X2 inches, the average being about two-thirds of that size. The number of eggs 
is 30 in the smallest and 110 in the largest mass. . . . the egg masses of A. triginum 
[sic] represent one homogeneous mass of jelly, within which the eggs are dis- 
tributed irregularly. The eggs measure 3 mm. in diameter, the animal pole being 
dark brown and the vegetative pole light buff. They are closely surrounded by a 
clear cell 4 mm. in diameter. I can see no obvious difference between the eggs of 
this salamander and those of A. punctatum, except that the egg masses of the 
latter species average larger in size and usually contain considerably over 100 
eggs. 
These eggs were found on April 7. The probable date of depo- 
sition was inferred to be not earlier than April 1. Two larvae just at 
hatching on April 18 measured 13 mm. in total length. An estimate 
of 20 days for development in the field and laboratory was made. 
Additional egg masses, deposited after April 7, were found on May 9 
( Engelhard!, 1916). 
The early embryos of Ambystoma calif brniense are pale yellowish 
brown in color. As development advances and even before the em- 
bryos hatch the 'tiger 7 markings, characteristic of the later larvae, are 
in evidence. These are aggregations of melanin at regular intervals 
along each side of the tail. At the time of hatching the larvae measure 
about 7 millimeters in head-and-body length and 10.5 millimeters in 
total length. On the day of hatching they are very active, darting 
rapidly about and, like the older larvae, avoiding open spaces by 
taking shelter under any sort of cover afforded. Subsequent develop- 
ment is outlined in the paragraphs following, dealing with material 
collected in 1922 and 1923. 
Acting on general information furnished by Mr. H. J. Snook, the 
writer made a visit to Stockton and vicinity on April 8 and 9, 1922, 
in the hope of obtaining some data on the life-history of Ambystoma 
calif or niense. No material was found then at Stockton, but about 
18 miles east of the city, near the settlement of Bellota, a pool was 
located which contained numerous larvae of this species. These 
ranged from 47 to 58 millimeters in total length. Several of these 
larvae were taken to Berkeley and one was reared through the meta- 
morphosis; this change took place about May 8, 1922. Later the same 
season, about April 24, Mr. Philip N. Baxter of Stockton obtained 
several larvae, measuring 42 to 47 millimeters in length, in a pool in 
the western part of the city. One of these which was kept in captivity 
metamorphosed on June 1 and by July 7 had reached a total length 
of 60 millimeters. In 1923, I visited the Bellota pool on March 11, 
