108 University of California Publications in Zoology [Vol. 27 
Comparisons. — Distinguished from other California salamanders 
except Plethodontidae by presence of naso-labial groove and para- 
sphenoid teeth ; from Batrachoseps by larger size, stouter form, 
presence of 5 digits on hind foot, 10 instead of 15 or more costal folds, 
and reddish instead of blackish body coloration; from species of 
Aneides by 10 instead of 12 costal folds, smaller size of maxillary 
teeth, double curved pattern of vomerine teeth, flat instead of swollen 
temporal region, and unspotted pattern of coloration ; from Plethodon 
elongatus by 10 instead of 15 costal folds, and absence of mid-dorsal 
stripe of light color along back; from Ensatina croceater by uniform 
instead of spotted coloration. 
Description. — Form moderate, head small, limbs well developed 
but slender, tail large ; head narrowly oval in outline from above, flat 
and thin in profile; end of muzzle rounded, lower jaw nearly terminal ; 
external nares small, nearly at tip of muzzle, internarial space about 
equaling interorbital space ; naso-labial groove present ; sides of muzzle 
slanting, no canthus rostralis; ante-orbital region slightly more than 
length of orbit ; orbit rather small ; width of interorbital space three- 
fifths or more of length of orbit ; interorbital and postorbital regions 
entirely plane; outline of lower jaw narrowly oval; angle of jaw at 
posterior margin of orbit; gular fold thin, very pronounced, extend- 
ing up on side of neck where joined to nearly straight groove proceed- 
ing posteriorly from behind orbit ; free portion of upper arm exceed- 
ing forearm ; palm short, narrow ; digits well developed, slender, 
narrowed at ends, third longest, second slightly exceeding fourth, first 
decidedly short ; mid-dorsal groove present in preserved specimens ; 
costal folds 10, grooves well indicated; hind limb half again stouter 
than fore limb ; free portion of femur equal to tibia ; sole narrow ; 
toes well developed, third and fourth nearly equal, second longer than 
fifth, first very short; tail oval at base, constricted just posterior to 
anus, conspicuously swollen at midlength, compressed oval in section, 
tapering to a compressed tip. 
Tongue thin, broad, and flat, oval in outline, anterior end rounded, 
greatest width about two-thirds that of mouth at angles of jaws, 
attached medially to floor of mouth for anterior two-thirds of its 
length; maxillary and mandibular teeth small, rounded, numerous, 
extending nearly to angle of jaw; internal nares moderately large, 
set in from margin of jaw; vomerine teeth in two long arcs, meeting 
medially, extending laterally nearly to margin of upper jaw, convex 
anteriorly where nearly reaching posterior margin of internal nares ; 
parasphenoid teeth in two distinct patches, juxtaposed anteriorly, 
divergent and separated posteriorly. 
Surfaces of body everywhere smooth; palms and soles slightly 
roughened. 
Coloration (in life) above dark red, without spotting; ventral 
surface and tips of digits, pink or pale red; (in alcohol) upper surface 
variously bluish black or dark reddish brown, undersurface pale 
yellow or whitish. 
History. — This species was originally described by Gray in 1850 
from a specimen collected at Monterey, being called Ensatina esch- 
