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University of California Publications in Zoology [Vol. 27 
6. The important features discovered in the life-histories of the 
commoner California amphibia here studied are as follows: 
a. Triturus torosus. Most terrestrial of all the aquatic spawning 
salamanders, with a definite dermal specialization to resist desicca- 
tion. It spawns early, the larvae are secretive, inhabiting pools in 
canon bottoms, and metamorphosis occurs at about the time of the 
first autumn rains. 
b. Amby stoma calif or niense. A close relative of the wide-ranging 
Amby stoma tigrinum inhabiting lowland areas in central California. 
The adults take shelter in various subterranean retreats to escape 
death by desiccation during the daytime. Spawning is advanced into 
the ‘winter’ season when the ephemeral rain pools are first formed 
and the larval period is relatively short, transformation occurring in 
late spring or early summer before the pools dry up. 
c. Bicampiodon ensatus. This, the largest terrestrial salamander 
in North America, is confined to a relatively narrow strip of territory 
along the Pacific Coast where the ground is always moist and the 
atmosphere relatively high in moisture content. This species possesses 
a soft moist skin and can easily be killed by exposure to dry air. It 
spawns in large permanent pools on the courses of perennial streams 
and the larvae may continue in the water for more than one season 
before metamorphosis. Sexual maturity may be reached before meta- 
morphosis. In the northwestern humid coast belt the aquatic habitat 
is permanent and an amphibian which remains there is assured the 
three essentials for existence, food, shelter from enemies, and appro- 
priate breeding places. 
d. Batrachoseps attenuatus. This is a specialized form with a 
slender cylindrical body and reduced appendages, and is capable of 
inhabiting worm-burrows and other small cavities in the ground. It 
spawns at, or near, the surface of the ground during the winter rainy 
period and the young hatch before the surface of the earth has become 
dried out by the heat of late spring. In the long dry summer period 
it is seldom found and is believed to take refuge then below the surface 
of the earth. 
e. Ematina eschscholtzii. This is a strictly terrestrial, lungless 
salamander which lives in damp situations at or near the surface of 
the ground. It breeds in late spring or during the summer months, 
seeking cavities under logs, or in burrows in the ground, where there 
is a constant humid local atmosphere. The female parent guards the 
