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Batraebians and Reptiles ||.
oF THE
STATE OF INDIANA.
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OLIVER PERRY HAY, Pb. D.
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INDIANAPOLIS: ae!
WM. B. BURFORD, PRINTER AND BINDER.
9 Say
IS ce Oe ERE he We Ye tp ee
THE
BATRACHIANS AND REPTILES
OF THE
‘
Boe Hh OB TNDEAN A:
—BY
OLIVER PERRY HAY, A. M., Ph. D,
INDIANAPOLIS:
WM. B. BURFORD, PRINTER AND BINDER.
: 1892
uP
Zani20Miq »
AUG 27 1955
LiBRaRY
PREFACE.
The Batrachia and Reptilia of the State of Indiana form the subjects
of the following pages. In the body of this work I have endeavored to
include all the species known to inhabit the State, and to exclude all
that are not known to occur within our limits. Since, however, there
are several species which are, judging from their geographical distribu-
tion, likely hereafter to be taken within the State, I have added their
names in an appendix.
Of all the species mentioned in this paper I have given as accurate
descriptions as I have been able to prepare; and I have endeayored to
state also the most important facts known regarding their habits. It is to
be hoped that this endeavor will incite others to study our lower vertebrates
with respect to their manner of life, since too little is known about even
the commonest species.
I am indebted to many friends for aid in preparing this work, so many
that I can not here mention all their names. Under each species I have
tried to give due credit for specimens and notes. I must here, however, -
acknowledge the liberality of Dr. Leonhard Stejneger, Curator of Rep-
tiles in the National Museum, Washington, D. C., in giving me free
‘access to the large collections there; also the kindness of Prof. B. W.
Evyermann, who allowed me to examine a considerable collection made by
himself, mostly in the vicinity of Terre Haute. This collection is the
property of the State Normal School. To Prof. S. S. Gorby I owe the op-
portunity to examine the specimens in the State Museum. Some years
ago I had occasion to study a collection made at New Harmony by the
late Mr. James Sampson, of that place. For the opportunity of doing this
I am indebted to Prof. John Collett. The writings of Agassiz, Cope and
other naturalists have been consulted in the earnest desire to obtain
a correct idea of our batrachian and reptilian fauna. Nevertheless, I
have at times doubtless fallen into error,
Hal”
. 3 é
§ if following is a summary of the species of each group known to
occur in Indiana:
Tailed Batrachians
Bee ee Dali Be eran 2 Pee ies 18 species.
Tailless Batrachians
Sy A hae eee eas - . . « . 12 species.
30 species.
MMMIE DN sfaeeis comet emt Mien a Gay. NS loin we ee2 ES 28 species.
am rgs. oo Lees aes ie ata earl aya, Ste ee 5 species,
SUMMER pen hPa eral Pp eS ase ol SE Ge eet pats 18 species.
mole teeptulenive t6i6 6.20 ae a de ve Sites ee sentetaie 51 species.
“Potalsof both,.classes <6... sre Ve te Ne 81 species.
THe AUTHOR.
TIrvincron, Inp., Sept. 1, 1892.
THE BATRACHIANS AND THE REPTILES OF INDIANA.
On the part of people who have not made a scientific study of animals
no distinction is made between the group of creatures here called Batra-
chians and that group called Reptiles. The amphiuma and the snakes,
the salamanders and the lizards, the common toad and the turtles are all
called ‘‘reptiles.’’ Nor is this strange when we consider how closely
members of both groups resemble one another in outward form and in
habits. If is indeed only recently that zodlogists, who endeavor to found
their systems on more important differences than appear on the outside,
have agreed to regard the frogs, salamanders, and newts, as fundament-
ally different from the lizards, turtles, and snakes. In reality, the ba-
trachians are more closely related to the fishes than to the reptiles, while
the latter are more nearly akin to the birds. The batrachians form a
class standing intermediate between the class of fishes and the class of
reptiles. .
Nevertheless, since zodlogists have almost universally associated the
two classes in their works, and since people do not usually distinguish
the one kind of animals from the other, they are here described together.
The batrachians differ from the reptiles in several important respects.
The skin of the former is usually smooth and moist, sometimes raised up
into warts, as in the toads, but never disposed in overlapping scales or
regular plates. Scales and plates, such as are seen in the lizards and
snakes, and tortoises, are almost universal among the reptiles No In-
diana reptile is without such a covering, except our soft-shelled turtles.
The life-history of the members of the two groups is also widely different.
The batrachians almost always lay their eggs in the water, and the young
pass their early days there as tadpoles. They respire by means of gills
until the time of their metamorphosis approaches, when lungs are de-
veloped, the gills are absorbed, and the animal leaves the water and
lives to a greater or less extent on the land. Reptiles, on the contrary,
lay their eggs on Jand, the young are hatched with the form of the
adults, and they never have gills. A few batrachians retain their gills
life-long, breathing both by means of these and their lungs. Other dif-
ferences exist, but since their determination would require dissections,
they are not thought suitable for consideration in a work of this kind.
ete
* ‘
ee Oe tt
Pye ee is
ey. 236
5
Since the animals herein described are a source of discomfort and
alarm to many people, it may be well to say here that of all the ba-
trachians and reptiles known to inhabit Indiana, but four, the yellow-
banded rattlesnake, the prairie rattlesnake, the coral snake, and the
copperhead, are poisonous. It is possible that the poisonous southern
moccasin, or cottonmouth, may yet be found in the southwestern part
of the State: if so, we shall have five poisonous species, and five
only.
. Kry TO THE CLASSES.
A. Skin usually smooth and soft, sometimes rough and warty,
never forming scales that overlap or are arranged in regular
rows; eggs usually laid in the water and giving origin to
tadpoles. (Water-dogs, salamanders, frogs and toads. )
Batrachia, p. 5.
AA. Skin usually having epidermal scales or large regular plates;
these usually arranged in a regular manner, often overlap-
ping. Eggs laid on land. Young with form of adults.
(Snakes, lizards, turtles, alligators, etc.) Reptilia, p. 79.
BATRACHIA.
The Batrachia include a great variety of animals that are found living
in all except the coldest parts of the earth and the salt water. As al-
ready stated, they are, with rare exceptions, hatched in the water,
where they spend at least a portion of their lives. A few forms retain
their gills throughout life, and seldom or never leave the water. Ina
few cases the eggs are laid on the land, under sticks and stones; the
young from such eggs may have very rudimentary gills and consequently
never enter the water. Such species closely approach, in their habits,
the reptiles. The gills may be either internal or external; usually they
are of the latter kind. The external gills are attached to processes of
the skin, and not to the branchial arches. The internal gills of the tad-
poles or frogs grow out from the branchial arches, as in fishes.
The skin of the batrachians is richly provided with glands. These
secrete a milky fluid, which is often acrid, and sometimes poisonous to
the enemies of the species producing it. It thus serves as a means of
defense to these animals, which are otherwise almost helpless, Often
the glands are collected into groups, as in the ease of those on the back
of the head of the common toad. In some species the skin forms a fin
on the upper and lower sides of the tail; but in such fins there are no
rays, such as are found in the fins of fishes.
6
When limbs are present they have the same skeletal elements as the
limbs of reptiles and mammals. Some batrachians are devoid of limbs.
All of our species have the anterior limbs present; most of them have
also the posterior pair. The anterior limbs never have more than four
fingers; the posterior may have five toes.
Not much can be said here regarding the skeleton. The vertebre are
usually either amphiccelous or opisthoccelous. Ribs are often absent;
when present they do not connect with a sternum below. In the lower
forms as many as four branchial arches may be present; in the higher
species the number is reduced. There may be teeth on the maxillaries,
premaxillaries, yomers, and dentaries; more rarely on the palatines,
the pterygoids and the splenials. A band of teeth may be found in
some cases supported by the parasphenoid. The teeth are almost al-
ways very simple in structure, pointed, and grown fast to the support-
ing bones.
Breathing is effected in the adult by drawing the air into the mouth
through the nostrils, then closing these, contracting the cavity of the
mouth, and thus forcing the air into the lungs. Hence, a frog may be
suffocated by holding its mouth open.
For additional information on the anatomy of the Batrachia the
student should consult Prof. Huxley’s article, ‘‘Amphibia,”’ in the En-
eyclopedia Britanica; also for the Urodela, Dr. R. Wiedersheim’s work,
‘« Kopfskelet der Urodelen.”’ 4
The living species of Batrachia have been divided by Prof. E. D. Cope
(51, 13) into four orders, viz: Proteida (Nectwrus), Urodela, Trachy-
stomata (Siren), and Salientia. I prefer here to retain the genera Nee-
turus, «roteus and Siren under the Urodela.
Key TO THE ORDERS OF Batrachia
A. Limbs present or absent; when present, the hinder pair not much
more strongly developed than the anterior. Tail developed or
not; present in all our species. Animals fitted for creeping on
or burrowing in the earth or for swimming in the water.
Urodela,-p. 6.
AA All four limbs present and the hinder pair greatly developed.
Tail wholly absent in the adult Aninaal, when on land, usu-
ally progressing by leaping. Salientia, p. 48.
Order URODELA
Batrachia having a lizard-like, eel-like, or serpent-like form. All limbs,
as well as the supporting girdles, absent in the extralimital Cecilide. At
least the fore limbs and the shoulder girdle present in all our forms; and
usually also the hinder limbs. Posterior limbs never conspicuously
7
larger than the anterior. Proximal elements of the tarsus not elongated.
Vertebree numerous, at least 14 in front of the sacrum; these either am-
phiceelous or opisthoccelous Ribs present, short. Maxilla present in
all except Necturus and Siren. Teeth present on maxillaries, vomero-pal-
atines, and on the*dentaries, except in Siren. No tympanic cavities or
eustachian tubes. Cloaca opening externally by a longitudinal slit.
The Urodela include about 133 species, distributed principally north ~
of the equator. North America furnishes 54 species, 18 of which, at
least, are found in Indiana.
The order as here defined contains 10 families. Of these, two, the
Ceecilidse and the Thoriidee, are not natives of North America.
Key ro toe N. A. Famiiies oF Urodela.
A. Maxillary bone wanting. External gills present at all times of
life.
a. Body eel-like. No posterior limbs. Sirenide, p. 8.
aa. Body lizard-lke. Two pairs of limbs. Proteide, p. 10.
AA. Maxillary bone present. No gills in the adult state. All four
limbs present.
a. Body extremely elongated. Both pairs of limbs very rudi-
mentary. Amphiumide, p. 12:
aa. Body lizard-like. Anterior and posterior limbs well devel-
oped.
b. A branchial slit on each side of the neck. Vomero-pa-
latine teeth close to and parallel with those of the
premaxillaries and maxillaries.
: Cryptobranchide, p. 15.
bb. No branchial slits on the side of the neck. Vomero-
palatine teeth considerably behind the premaxillary
teeth.
c. Parasphenoidal teeth present, forming two brush-
like bands along the roof of the mouth.
Plethodontide, p. 31.
ec. No parasphenoidal teeth.
e. | Vomero-palatine teeth in a transverse row be-
tween, or just behind, the choane.
Ambystomatide, p. 17.
ee. Vomero-palatines in two longitudinal rows
along roof of the mouth, on two prolonga-
tions backward of the vomers.
Salamandride, p. 44.
8
Family I. *SIRENIDE. — eo
Body elongated, eel-like. Posterior limbs wanting; the anterior mod-
erately developed, with three or four fingers. External gills present
during whole of life. One to three branchial slits on each side of the
neck. Premaxillaries and dentaries without teeth, and covered with a
horny sheath. Teeth on the splenials. Vomers provided with teeth,
which form two converging patches on the roof of the mouth. No maxil-
laries present. Contains two genera, each embracing a single species,
both confined to North America.
Key TO THE GENERA OF Sirenide.
A. Fingers four; branchial slits usually three. Siren, p. 8.
AA. Fingers three; branchial slit one. Pseudobranchus.
Pseudobranchus has not been found north of Georgia and Florida.
Genus SIREN, Linnaus.
Siren, Linneeus, 1765, 95; i, 311; Boulenger, 1882, 28, 86; Cope,
1889, 51, 225.
Hand with four fingers. Jaws with horny sheath. Vomerine patches
of teeth broad. Tongue broad, free in front. External gills and branchial
slits, threé. Eyes distinct, but without lids.
Siren lacertina, Linn.
Mud-eel. Stren.
Siren lacertina, Linnseus, 1765, 95, i, 311; Holbrook, 1842, 54, v. 101,
pl. 34; Boulenger, G. A., 1882, 28, 87; Cope, -E. D., 1889, 57, 226;
Barton, B. 8., 1821, 40.
Body long, slender, nearly cylindrical; about twelve times as long as
the head is broad. Head flat above, sides tapering to the blunt snout,
which overhangs the mouth. Gill slits three. External gills three
pairs; but these appear to be abortive in the young up to six inches in
length. Eyes small, without eyelids. Premaxillaries distinct, toothless,
covered with a black horny sheath. Vomers and palatines distinct, each
with several rows of small teeth. Dentaries also toothless, and covered
with a black horny sharp-edged sheath. Teeth on splenials (just below
hinder ends of dentary sheath). Tongue free on sides and in front.
Anterior limbs well developed, short, furnished with four digits each.
No trace of hinder limbs. Body and tail crossed by numerous furrows ;
about thirty of these from fore legs to vent. Tail compressed, with a fin
above and below; its length somewhat more than one-third the total
length, terminating in a sharp point.
eo
Color a bluish black, paler below. Sides of head sometimes with a
yellow band from muzzle to gills.
The length attained may be as great as thirty to forty inches.
Distribution from North Carolina west to Mexico, and up the Missis-
sippi Valley to Alton, Ill., and Lafayette, Ind.
~Indiana localities: New Harmouy (Sampson’s coll.); Mt. Carmel,
(Nat. Mus. eoll.); Terre Haute (B. W. Evermann); Lafayette (S. Coul-
ter); Washington, Daviess County (C. H. Gilbert).
Hasirs.—One of the earliest and best accounts that we have of the
habits of this curious animal was given by Dr. B.S. Barton, of Phila-
delphia, in a letter addressed to John Gottlob Schneider, the author of
‘‘ Historia Amphibiorum.” Schneider and some other authors supposed
that the Siren was only the larva of some yet undiscovered salamander.
Barton argues against this notion with ability. He states that the favor-
ite resorts of the Stren are the rice ponds and the adjacent muddy
grounds. It sometimes attains a length of 20, 30, or even 40 inches.
Where it abounds it is, according to Barton, called ‘¢ Alligator” and
_ ‘*Water-lizard.” He kept one for almost a year, and experimented with
it. During this time, it underwent little or no change in either size or
condition of its branchie. While in the water, the gills are incessantly
in motion. The animal appears to depend only partially on its gills for
oxygen, since various observers have noted its coming frequently to the
surface for air. Barton says that in warm weather it comes to the surface
every five minutes, while in colder weather it comes up about every fifteen
minutes. It has the power to remain under water for more than an hour
at least. It appears to spend a good portion of its time burrowing in the
mud of swamps. Barton thinks that it sometimes travels overland,
although its movements on Jand are slow. An earlier observer, Garden,
who corresponded with Linnzeus, declares that the Siren may crawl up
on the trunks and limbs of fallen trees, likewise that it sings with a
querulous voice similar to that of a young duck. This idea gave origin
to the name Siren. It possibly emits a shrill, somewhat hissing tone like
that of the Amphiuma. Barton appears to think that the Siren can take
water into the mouth through the nostrils; an interesting observation in
view of the fact that some salamanders do the same as a means of breath-
ing. Cope (57, 224) has recorded his observation that in small specimens
_ the branchiz are rudimentary and apparently functionless, and that it is
-are not “ strong.
only in the adult individuals that the gills are fully developed.
Linnzeus affirms that the Siren lives on serpents which it catches and
holds with its strong teeth. Barton doubts this, but considering the
great voracity of the Batrachia in general, and the large size reached by
some of the Sirens, it appears quite reasonable. Their teeth, however,
” Barton fed his specimen on angleworms, pieces of
10
meat, etc. It takes its food with ‘‘inconceivable rapidity.” It can en-
dure hunger for long periods. The one kept by Barton was exposed for
several days in water at a temperature of 33° or 34° F., and for a few
hours was ‘‘ locked up, as it were, in the ice.”
Holbrook (54, v. 101) says that this animal lives chiefly in the mud,
but this they sometimes leave and take to the water, in which they swim
with great swiftness. He says too that they are sometimes found on the~
land, but he did not know why they go there.
So far as I am aware, nothing is known concerning the breeding habits
of this species. It is so rare in our State that few opportunities are likely
to be offered to any observer to study such habits. This will have to be
done in the South, where it abounds. I have not seen mention made of
specimens having been found of less than three inches in length. Speci-
mens of this size are very desirable.
Family Il. PROTEIDZ.
Body lizard-like in form; limbs, four; external gills, three pairs,
present during whole of life; maxillaries, absent; teeth on premaxilla-
ries, vomers, palato-pterygoids, and dentaries. :
Only the genus Nectwrus is found in North America. Proteus is an in-
habitant of the subterranean waters of Austria.
Genus NECTURUS, Rafinesque.
Rafinesque, 1819, 97, 417; Boulenger, 1882, 28, 84; Cope, 1889,
51, 23.
Fingers 4; toes 4; permanent branchial slits 2 pairs; eyes exposed ;
tongue large; vomero-palatine teeth strong, in a single row; tail broad
and compressed. |
Premaxillary teeth 11-15; vomerines 12-16 ; spotted.
maculatus, p. 10,
Premaxillary teeth 6-8; vomerines 8-9; no spots. N. C.,8. C.
punctatus.
Necturus maculatus, Raf.
Water-Dog; Gilled Salamander.
Necturus maculatus, Rafinesque, 1819, 97, 417; Boulenger, 1892,
28, 84; Cope, E. D., 1889, 57, 23, with figures.
Triton lateralis, Say, 1823, 74, 5.
* Menobranchus lateralis, Harlan, 1825, 62, i, 221; Holbrook, 1842, 54,
115, pl. 38.
Necturus lateralis, Wagler, 1830, 75, 210. ;
Body moderately elongated, thick, cylindrical or moderately de-
pressed, and with a distinct dorsal groove. Head broad and flat. Snout
¥
11
younded. Labial folds well developed. A distinct gular fold. Eyes small.
The two series of teeth in the upper jaw near to, and parallel with, one-
another. Premaxillary series short ; the vomero-palatine series extending
back to the corner of the mouth. The mouth is large and extends back-
ward to under the eyes. Nostrils in the edge of the lips. Head con-
tained in the distance to the vent about five times; three-fourths as wide
aslong. Costal folds usually 14. Tail broad and compressed, one-third
the total length. Limbs well developed. Digits 4-4.
Skin smooth and furnished with numerous follicles.
Color ashy brown, palest below, and more or less mottled and spotted
with blackish, especially above. Young specimens with a lateral dark
band from the snout to the tail. Gills bushy, and in life bright red.
Prof. Cope (51, 26) mentions specimens from Ontario which were en-
tirely black.
This species reaches a length of 24 inches or more.
This is a widely distributed animal in Eastern North America, and in
places it is very abundant. It is recorded from the territory extending
from Montreal to Alabama, west to Wisconsin, Kansas, W. Arkansas,
and Louisiana. ;
It will no doubt be found in all parts of Indiana, but it is very common
in the numerous lakes of the northern portion of the State. I have
record of it from Lafayette (S. Coulter); Mt. Carmel, Ill. (National
Museum) ; New Harmony (Sampson’s coll.) ; Monroe County (Ind. Unv.
coll.); Franklin County (Hughes). I have found it common at Lake
Maxinkuckee, Marshall County. Prof. Blatchley reports it as very com-
mon at Terre Haute. Of 19 specimens sent me by Prof Evermann more
than half had the gills very short or almost wholly gone.
Hasits.—This species appears to be wholly aquatic, although it does
not depend on its gills entirely for the oxygen that it consumes. It has
been observed to come to the surface for air; and its gills are sometimes
missing, as though nibbled off. In such cases breathing must be accom-
plished by other means. They have quite well developed lungs, which
some observers have artificially inflated. The animal has seldom been
observed to goon land. (54, loc. cit.) In the water they progress either
by creeping along on the bottom or by swimming. The swimming is ac-
complished mainly by strokes of the large flat tail, and their progress is
-rapid. They are, for the most part, nocturnal in their habits.
The food of the Water-dog consists of insects, crustaceans, worms and
mollusks. They are frequently taken on the hooks of fishermen. They
will, no doubt, be found to be willing to eat almost anything that can
serve as food. They are not acceptable game to the fishermen, since the
latter regard them as very poisonous, and dislike to handle the creatures.
_ This notion is an erroneous one ; but a nip by their sharp and strong teeth
would no doubt be somewhat painful. Drs. Wilder and Barnard (22, 8,
Bre
12» ,
438) cooked and ate one, and reported if'as excellent. The animal |
might, therefore, possibly be made useful, if people could overcome their }
prejudices. ;
The Water-dog has the power of enduring long periods of cold and
hunger. Kneeland reports having specimens for three months in water
that froze more or less every night.
Dr. C. O. Whitman states that the egg of Nectwrus is about the size of _
a pea, and, unlike the eggs of most batrachians, it has no pigment to
obscure the processes of deyelopment. It forms an admirable object for
the study of batrachian development.
Large numbers of the Necturus are found in the streams emptying into
Lake Michigan and along the shores of the lake. At Ecorse, Michigan,
2,000 were taken in a minnow seine at one haul. It is stated that some
of these were so gorged with white fish spawn that when they were
thrown on shore the spawn flew out of their mouths. Another man,
according to Professor J. W. Milner (Report of the United States Fish
Commission, 1872-3, p. 62), had out, at Evanston, Dlinois, 900 fish- —
hooks, and from these, in one day, he took 400 of the ‘lizards.’
_ Milner states that they make no more attempt to bite than does a frog.
A full series was collected from the Detroit River of specimens ranging
from an inch and a half to full grown. About the middle of July eggs
~were taken.
4
“a
Family HI. AMPHIUMIDZE.
Body elongated and eel-like. Limbs two pairs, feebly developed.
No external gills in adult stage. Tail well developed. Skull long and
narrow. Maxillaries large, directed backward, toothed. Premaxillaries
united. Vomero-palatines narrow, directed backward nearly parallel
with axis of head. No true ethmoid.
A family containing a single genus.
Genus AMPHIUMA, Garden.
Amphiuma, Garden, 1821, 98, i, 599; Boulenger, 1882, 28, 82; Cope,
1889, 57, 215.
Limbs very feebly developed ; digits two or three on each. A single ©
branchial slit on each side the neck. Teeth of maxillary and vomero-
palatine in two parallel, backwardly directed series along each upper
jaw. Premaxillaries united; developed from a single center; sending
back two strong processes, one in roof of mouth, the other between
nasals and frontals on the upper surface of the snout.
Contains but a single species, confined to North America.
\
15
Amphiuma Means, Garden.
Amphiuma ; Congo- Snake.
q
. Garden, loc. cit. Holbrook, 1842, 54, 5, 89, pl. 30; Boulenger, 1882,
28, 83; Cope, 1889, 51, 216, with figures.
3 Body long and eel-like. Head narrower and more pointed than is
“usual among the batrachians. A single gill-slit on each side. Eyes
| extremely small, barely seen through the skin. Maxillary and vomero-
palatine teeth forming four nearly parallel rows in the roof of the mouth.
No external gills in the adults. Fore and hind limbs present, extremely
feeble in development. Digits on each somewhat variable, usually two
or three. Length of head (snout to gill-cleft), in length from snout to
vent about ten times. Tail about one-fourth the total length, com-
pressed, slender and pointed. Skin everywhere smooth.
Color dark slaty or reddish brown, paler below. Lower jaw and
edge of upper lip yellowish.
The amphiuma may reach a length of three feet. It is found from
the Carolinas west to Louisiana. The author has taken it at Little
Rock, Arkansas, and has seen a specimen in the National Museum at
Washington which was taken at Jeffersonville, Indiana, by Mr. George
Spangler. The specimen is fifteen inches long and was received at the
Museum Mareh 25, 1880. Careful observations along the Ohio and
Wabash Rivers will no doubt result in bringing additional specimens of
this interesting animal to light.
This, like the Siren, appears to be a mud-loving species. Its whole
structure appears to adapt it to burrowing about in the mud at the
bottoms of creeks and rivers and ditches.. Its head is long and pointed,
and the bones of the skull firmly bound together, as if to render the head
the point of a drill. The first instinct of the animal, when put into any
vessel, seems to be to burrow ont of sight. This habit of burrowing in
mud has been observed ever since the discovery of the creature. Har-
lan (39, 86) speaks of them as ‘‘ burrowing in the mud in swamps, or in
the vicinity of streams, where it searches for its food and hibernates,
occasionally visiting the dry land.” Other specimens are spoken of as
having been found several feet beneath the recent alluvial deposit, under
the decayed trunk of a tree. The same author (39, 188) states that he
‘had been informed that ‘‘ they are sometimes discovered two or three feet
under mud of the consistency of mortar, in which they burrow like
worms, as was instanced in digging near a street in Pensacola, when great
numbers were thrown up during the winter season.”
The food of this animal consists of a variety of aquatic animals. Har-
lan says that in the stomach of some were found small fishes and beetles.
Holbrook adds to their diet small mollusks.
14
Both Harlan and Holbrook note the habit possessed by this animal of
leaying the water occasionally, but the purpose of so doing was not
known. No doubt it passes from one water to another in this way, since
in can creep readily and does not depend on the water for respiration.
The writer has had the opportunity of studying the breeding habits of
the Amphiuma. At Little Rock, Ark., on the first of September, a female
was found lying in a small excavation underneath a fallen tree trunk in
a cypress swamp. The tree was at a considerable distance from any
water. Her body was disposed in a coil, in the midst of which was a
mass of eggs. In these eggs were young so far advanced that they would
soon doubtless have been excluded. The young, which constituted the
whole contents of the eggs, were surrounded by a transparent capsule
about as thick as writing paper. The eggs were a little more than a third
of an inch in diameter, and were connected by a cord of substance simi-
lar to that of the capsule itself. This cord varied in length from a fifth
to a half inch. ‘There appeared to be two strings in the mass, but of this
I was not certain. The whole mass of eggs resembled closely a string of
large beads. Of the eggs there were probably about 150.
Within the eggs the young were coiled in a spiral. Their length is
something less than two inches. Each had three pairs of conspicuous
gills, and, since they were evidently nearly ready to hatch, it is probable
that they would retain the gills for awhile after entering the water. The
gills consisted of a main stem, from which were given off eight or ten
branches. Three gill-slits remained open. The eyes appeared to better
advantage than they do in the adults. Though the gill slits are probably:
present in the just hatched animal, they certainly do not remain long,
since Harlan mentions (39, 189) having received specimens of only three
inches in length that did not exhibit the least appearance of gills.
Not only does the amphiuma exhibit to a remarkable degree, for so low
a creature, the maternal instinct, but it is an animal of a good measure
of spirit. Dr. Shufeldt (50, 2, 163,) experimented somewhat with the
living animal. Into the vessel containing the amphiuma he threw a
dead snake. This the amphiuma seized quickly with its jaws and extend-
ing itself, began to whirl around rapidly in the water. After the snake
had been released, it was again thrown to the amphiuma, and the
movements were repeated. When the dead ophidian was presented to
the amphiuma the third time no attention was given it. While the
female that I captured was still alive, I placed her on a floor and
poked her a little with a stick. This she seized, and springing from the
floor, she whirled round and round in a spiral form and turned the
stick in my hand unless I held it tightly.
These animals are remarkable for the size of their blood corpuscles,
the largest furnished by any vertebrated animal, since they can be seen
eo
4 15
_ by the naked eye. The number of their vertebre is also worthy of re-
_ mark, there being altogether about 110, of which sixty-five lie in front
of the sacrum.
Family IV. CRYPTOBRANCHID. |
Form salamandrine. Head broad and depressed, mouth wide.
Limbs four, well developed. Tail broad and compressed. Teeth on
the anterior edge of vomers, concentric with those of premaxillaries and
maxillaries, but not extending so far back as latter. No teeth on par-
asphenoids.
Contains two living genera, Megalobatrachus of Japan, three feet long,
and the following:
Genus CRYPTOBRANCHUS, Leuckart.
Cryptobranchus, Leuckart, 1821, 77, 260; Boulenger, 1882, 28, 81;
Cope, 1889, 51, 87; Menopoma, Harlan, 1825, 62, 221.
Tongue large, free in front One gill-slit on each side. Four
branchial arches. Maxillary row of teeth extending back to angle of
mouth; the vomerine to choane; the two series lying close together.
Tongue free in front; its upper surface with folds.
alleghamensis, p. 15.
Tongue not free; its upper surface with large papille. Tenn.
fuscus.
Cryptobranchus alieghaniensis, (Daudin.)
Alleghany Salamander; Hellbender.
Salamandra alleghaniensis, Daudin, 1803, 69, vili. 231; Cryp. salaman-
droides, Leuck., 1. e.; Menopoma alleg., Harlan, 1. c., with figures ; Hol-
brook, 1842, 54, v. 95, pl. 32; Cryp. alleg., Van der Hoeven, 104, iv.
384; Boulenger, 28, 81; Cope, 1889, 57, 38, with figures.
Size large, body heavy and depressed. Head broad and flat and snout
rounded. Tail broad and much compressed, and with a fin along its up-
per edge; its length equal to half the remainder of the animal. Skin
richly provided with mucous follicles, especially about the head. Sides
with a conspicuous, corrugated cutaneous fold, which extends from the
angle of the mouth to the middle of the tail.
Mouth large, the gape extending to behind the eyes. Nostrils small,
close to the edge of the lips. Eyes small, with no evident lids. Limbs
short and stout, bordered externally by a fold of membrane, which ex-
tends down to the outer toe. Hinder limb stoutest, and bordered behind
by a second fold, which, near the foot, passes into the external fold.
Digits 4-5.
16
The distance from the snout to the gill-slit is equal to about one-sixth
the total length. : hy
Color grayish to black, usually dark slate; sometimes mottled and
spotted.
A total length of two feet may be reached, though usually smaller.
Known to occur from Pennsylvania west to Iowa, south to South Car-
olina and Louisiana. Not yet known from Florida or Texas.
Indiana localities are: Evansville (Nat. Mus.); Whitewater R. at
Brookville (E. R. Quick); Ohio R. at Vevay and Madison (Hay.);.
New Harmony (Max. von Wied, 103, xxii. 136).
It appears strange that the occurrence of this animal has not yet been
reported from any part of the State except immediately along the Ohio
River, since its extra Jimital distribution indicates plainly that it must
be found in all the larger lakes and streams of the State.
The ‘‘ Hellbender” is a great coarse, sprawling, repulsive looking
creature. In the Ohio and its tributaries it is a common animal, and is
cordially despised by the fishermen, whose hooks are too often burdened
with it instead of: fish, and who regard it as also poisonous. The latter idea
is erroneous; nevertheless, its bite might be painful. They appear to be
exclusively aquatic, and yet are capable of living for a long time out of
the water. Mr. Charles H. Townsend (22, 16, 139), says that in Loyal-
hana Creek, Westmoreland County, Pa., shoals of them may be seen in
early spring moving sluggishly over the bottom. In August they appear
to hide away under rocks, but will come out after a bait of dead fish.
They are very tenacious of life. Mr. Townsend carried some of them in
a bag, on horseback, for five miles through a blazing sun, then put them
into a tub of water for five weeks without food, and they survived and
were vigorous. Mr. Wm. Frear, of Lewisburg University, in corrob-
orating Mr. Townsend’s account of their tenacity of life, states that a
specimen eighteen inches long had lain in the sun forty-eight hours, then
in a museum a day longer, before it was placed in alcohol. After being
submerged in this twenty-four hours it was taken out and was alive and
vigorous. On making cuts, in the attempt to sever the cervical vertebra,
it showed no anger or discomfort; but if only the tip of the tail was
touched, the animal would viciously snap its jaws and strike with its tail.
Two females of Mr. Townsend’s specimens spawned while in the tub
where he put them. The spawn is reported as similar to that of frogs,
but without the dark colors of the latter. The ova were exuded in
strings, and were farther apart than the eggs of frogs. The eggs were
of a yellowish color and surrounded with gelatinous matter, which swelled
greatly on coming in contact with the water. Professor Cope states that
the eggs are rather large and are attached by two strong suspensors at
opposite poles. They must resemble somewhat the eggs of the Amphi-
uma, but with soft gelatinous covering.
17
The very young have not yet been seen, so that it is not known
whether or not they possess gills. If gills are present on hatching, they
must be very transient, at most.
Maximillian, Prinz von Wied (103 xxii, 136), states that he found the
young of this species at New Harmony. They were about three inches
long, had two gill-slits yet open, and remains of external gills. These
gills were afterward gradually absorbed. It is possible, however, that
these were the young of some Ambystoma, as Professor Cope has suggested
to me. ;
The Hellbender is said to eat worms, crustaceans and fishes. It will
probably eat almost anything that presents itself.
Grote states that he has seen these animals with the shed skin rolled
up in their mouths, as if in the act of swallowing it. They were observed
during July and August to have a swaying motion of the body, but the
purpose of this was not discovered. The statement is also made that
during the time of pairing of the sexes the tail becomes broader and the
lateral folds undergo some changes. The eggs seem to be deposited in
the water during the month of August.
Professor 8. P. Gage and wife have made the observation that this
animal at times draws in water by pharyngeal movements and expels it
through the gill-slits.
Family IV. AMBYSTOMATIDZ.
No persistent gills or gill-slits. Limbs four; digits four to five.
Vomers broad, with the teeth on the posterior edge, the yvomero-
palatine teeth forming a nearly straight row across the roof of the mouth,
in a line just behind the choane. No parasphenoidal teeth. Tongue
large, with a narrow anterior and lateral free edge. Carpus and tarsus
ossified.
Of the Ambystomatide, as here defined, all the species belong to North
America, except a single one, and that occurs in Siam. Of the N. A.
forms Professor Cope recognizes four genera. Since these genera are
founded on peculiarities of structure of the hyoid apparatus, and these
require minute dissections, and since all known Indiana species belong to
the genus Ambystoma, the others are not defined. The genera recognized
by Professor Cope are Amblystoma, Chondrotus, Lingwelapsus and Dicamp-
todon.
Genus AMBYSLOMA, Tschudi.
Figure 1, Plate 1.
Ambystoma, Tschudi, 1838, 29, 92; Amblystoma, Agassiz, 1848, 100.
Larval forms.
Siredon, Wagler, 1830, 75, 209. :
(2)
18 | !
Samana Owen, 1844, 101, xiv, 23.
Vomero-palatine teeth in a nearly straight, epaieines interrupted,
row behind the choanze, Tongue broad, free margin narrow, the upper
surface with numerous narrow folds. Tail usually somewhat compressed.
As formerly defined, this genus would comprise about eighteen species.
As defined by Professor Cope, it will contain still about thirteen species.
Of these we certainly have in Indiana six, and possibly more.
The Ambystomas are familiarly known as ‘‘ Mud-puppies,”’ and are
frequently met with in the operations of plowing, digging ditches and
cleaning out cellars. They are often not distinguished from lizards, but
the latter are very active, while the former are extremely slow in most
of their movements. The Ambystomas, like all similar animals, are —
regarded as venomous and are usually destroyed on sight. On the con-
trary, they are the most innocent animals imaginable. They can not be
provoked to bite; and if they should do so, they have no poison glands
connected with their teeth, and the teeth are.so very short that they
“could scarcely penetrate the skin. :
The species appear to be mostly nocturnal in their habits. Their food
in the adult stage consists of insects, small mollusks, and more especially
of earthworms. Their winters seem to be spent near the borders of
ponds, and in these, as soon as the ice is broken up in the spring, their
eggs are deposited. These are surrounded by a mass of gelatine, by
means of which they cling to one another and to grass and sticks. The
tadpoles are slenderer than are those of toads and frogs, and they have
branching external gills. They look a good deal like small catfishes. In
due time these tadpoles lose their gills and betake themselves to the land.
The larve of some of the species attain a large size before undergoing
their metamorphosis, and one ees has been known to breed while still
possessing gills.
Key ro tHe N. A. Species or Ambystoma.*
A. ‘Tongue with a median crease from which the papillary folds di-
verge in a pinnate manner. Palatine teeth not extending be-
yond the choanz. microstomum, p. 19.
AA. Tongue with the papillary folds radiating from a point at the back
of the tongue. Palatine teeth éxtending laterally beyond the
choanee.
*Tn determining the species of Ambystoma great care should be exercised. Too much
reliance must not be placed on this key, but the descriptions must be appealed to, and the
animal in hand carefully compared with them. Those costal grooves are to be counted
which plainly lie between the fore and the hind legs. The number of these, in any species.
may occasionally be one more or less than here given. Examine both sides of the body,
The color and character of the spots may vary within limits.
— << »
al eat
aaa.
19
a. Costal grooves 12.
b. A single indistinct plantar tubercle or none. Black on
sides, with a yellow stripe along the back. Head
broad. Idaho. epixanthum.
Leaden brown, with a grayish-brown dorsal stripe.
Wyoming to Pacific coast. macrodactylum.
Lead color to black, sometimes with whitish specks
along the sides. jeffersonianum, p. 22.
bb. Two distinct plantar tubercles.
Lower jaw projecting beyond the upper.
wiphias. Appendix.
Lower jaw not projecting perceptibly beyond the
upper. Sides with vertical yellow spots. N. Mex-
ico. trisruptum.
Lower jaw not projecting. Spotted irregularly with
yellow. tigrinum, p. 23.
Costal grooves 11.
ce. Two distinct plantar tubercles.
Dark brown above, brownish yellow below. Tail equal
to rest of body. , copeianum, p. 26.
Dark above, with large, irregular yellow spots. Yellow
below. bicolor.
ec. No plantar tubercle, or one indistinct.
Lead color. Tail equal to distance from vent to gular
fold. Size small. Pennsylvania to Georgia.
conspersum,
~ Dark above, with a row of yellow spots of size of eye on
each side of back. punctatum, p. 27.
Black above, with cross bands of gray. opacum, p. 29.
Costal grooves 10.
Brown, with sprinklings of gray. talpoideum. Appendix.
Ambystoma microstomum, (Cope.)*
Small-Mouthed Salamander.
Figure 1, Pl. 1.
Amblystoma microstomum, Cope, 1867, 1, 206; Boulenger, 1882, 28, 50;
Chondrotus microstomus, Cope, 1887, 22, 88; 1889, 57, 101, with figures.
Body longest and slenderest of all the species of Ambystoma, the dis-
tance from the snout to the axilla being contained twice in the distance
from the axilla to the groin. Head small and short ; contained in length
*Although Prof. Cope has assigned this species to his recently proposed genus Chon-
drotus, I retain it in Ambystoma; since a careful examination of the tongue structures
has shown that there is no essential difference between these and those of other species
of Ambystoma. The otoglossal is identical with that of A. opacum.
20
to the groin 6 or 7 times. Snout rounded. Lower jaw slightly project-
ing beyond the upper. Mouth small. Torgue of moderate size, oval, the
papillary folds arranged pinnately on each side of a conspicuous median
groove. Palatine teeth extending little, if any, beyond the choane;
forming a nearly straight line across the palate, or with an obtuse angle
pointing forward.
Body with 14 costal grooves, and a slight dorsal furrow. Tail a little
longer than the distance from the fore to the hind limbs; nearly cylin-
drical at the base, becoming flattened toward the obtuse tip. Limbs
short and weak, failing much of meeting when laid along the side.
Skin smooth and slippery, and with numerous minute mucous pores.
The color above is a dark brown or black, paler below. In alcohol
there is sometimes a tinge of red. All over the body, but especially
along the sides, there are numerous mildew-like specks of gray.
The extreme length may become as much as six inches.
This species has been found inhabiting the country from Ohio to.
South Carolina, and west to E. Kansas and Louisiana. It has also been
brought from about Hudson Bay.
In some parts of Indiana it is an extremely abundant species. It is
the commonest species of Urodele about Irvington. I saw it in Mr.
Sampson’s collection at New Harmony. Dr. Ridgway collected it in
numbers at Wheatland. It has been taken at Terre Haute by Profs.
Evermann and Blatchley, and at Brookville by Mr. A. W. Butler.
One specimen in the Terre Haute Normal School collection from How-
ard County.
I have been enabled to study this species with some care, aid T shall
detail its habits somewhat, since they will illustrate the habits of other
species of the genus.
The Small-mouthed Salamander spends the winter months in and
about the borders of stagnant ponds. I have had it taken in midwinter
from under ice over which boys were skating. It was captured under
such circumstances on January 6, 1886, and again February 6, 1889.
These winters were rather mild, and the ice not thick. As soon as the
ice is melted they begin to lay their eggs, and it is no unusual thing to
have the ponds frozen solidly again after some eggs have been deposited.
Some specimens in captivity laid their eggs in the middle of January.
Ovoposition more commonly occurs during the month of March. It
may continue for a space of at least three weeks.
The eges proper are quite small, being about one-twelfth of an inch
in diameter. Each egg is surrounded with a capsule of gelatine, which
on coming in contact with the water swells up and becomes about as
large as a hazel-nut. By means of this gelatinous mass the eggs are
cemented to one another and to leaves of grass, sticks, and other objects
in the water. The eggs may be deposited singly, but more commonly
4
21
they occur in masses of from two to a dozen, and even more. This
gelatine no doubt serves to protect the eggs and the young. I do not be-
lieve that any animal will eat the gelatine.
Segmentation of the eggs begins immediately, and soon the young
salamander may be seen within the gelatine looking like a dark worm.
The development of some of the eggs appears to progress more rapidly
than that of others. The young escape into the water from the first of
April to the tenth. They are then about two-fifths of an inch long, are
of a bright olive color, with some squarish blotches along the back.
Three little gills stand out on each side of the neck, and on these may
be seen rudiments of lateral filaments. The fore-legs are seen as the
merest rudiments. I do not think that at this stage they have any
mouth. The body is covered with cilia. From the time of hatching
there is a club-shaped organ attached just behind each corner of the
mouth. These are the ‘‘balancers.’’ By means of these the little
animal manages to hang fast to the sides of the vessel, or to objects in
the water. They are lost before the tadpole becomes an inch long.
When the larva has become a half inch long, its gills have developed
two rows of filaments on each stalk. Through these the blood may be
seen circulating. Water enters the mouth through the nostrils and
passes out through the gill-slits, thus bathing the gills.
Larve two-thirds of an inch in length had their intestines filled with
the remains of small animals. These consisted principally of entomos-
tracous crustaceans. The stagnant waters where the salamanders lay
their eggs swarm with minute animal life, and the tadpoles have sharp
appetites and the ability to provide for themselves. Later on they
seize on small mollusks and insects.
When they have become an inch long, they may be seen to come to .
the surface after air. This happens more and more frequently as the
size increases. When they have attained a size of nearly two inches,
the gills begin to show signs of undergoing absorption. They seek the
surface oftener, and are inclined to float on the water. They will even
leave the water if allowed to do so. The time of completing their
change into the adult form is about the first of June. The gills are
lost ; the tail loses its fin-like border; the legs have become well devel-
oped ; and soon the only difference between the animal and its parents
is in size. They betake themselves to the banks, where they are soon
concealed among grass roots and earth.
About the ponds the adults may often be found concealing themselves
under sticks and pieces of wood which lie partly in and partly out of the
water. Here they can get an abundance of their favorite food, the
earthworms. After their eggs have been disposed of, they appear to
leave the vicinity of the water, and scatter out, so that they are only oc-
casionally found under logs and in the soil. At this period they do not
29
seem to be able to remain a great length of time in the water, and when
left there they have sometimes drowned.
I have often been surprised at the ability for climbing shown by these —
animals. I have seen them climb up the corners of a zine box six inches
high, and make their escape. Indeed, it is extremely difficult to keep
them imprisoned. ;
The salamander will soon learn to take food when it is offered. They
seize and swallow earthworms with great greediness. A worm several
inches long will be swallowed by installments.
This species of Ambystoma, even in its adult stage, enjoys a sort of
aquatic respiration. I have observed them, while under the water, to
draw in streams of water through the nostrils and to expel it at intervals
through the mouth. These expulsions of water by the mouth occur
every eight to twelve seconds. The animal will remain under the water
breathing thus for perhaps fifteen minutes. It will then appear to become
uneasy, bubbles of air escape from its mouth, and soon it comes to the
surface after air. In all probability oxygen is absorbed from the water
by the lining of the mouth, and thus the blood is partially purified. In
this way we may account for the long time that these animals can remain
in water under the ice.
This salamander appears to enjoy having its back tickled with a straw.
It will often lift its tail high in the air and wave it to and fro in a ludicrous
way. It seems at times to make a low piping sound, and at other times
produces a clucking noise. :
It is of interest to us that this species was first described by Dr. E.
Hallowell (7, 1856, 8) as Ambystoma porphyriticum from specimens sent
him from Indiana.
Ambystoma jeffersonianum, (Green.)
Jefferson’ s Salamander.
Salamandra jeffersoniana, Green, 1827, 102, 4; Holbrook, 1842, 54,
5, 51, pl. 14; Ambystoma jeffersoniana, Baird, 1849, 2, 283; Amblystoma
jeffersonianum, Cope, 1867, 7, 195; Boulenger, 1882, 28, 46, pl. II,
fig. 2; Cope, 1889, 57, 101, with figures.
A species with an elongated body and head. The distance from the
snout to the axilla considerably less than the distance from axilla to groin.
Tail equal to distance from snout to vent. There are twelve costal
grooves and a dorsal furrow. Skin smooth, but under the lens showing
numerous mucous pores. A line of these internal to the orbits. Head
rather broad and depressed; its width contained in length to groin from
four to five times. Cleft of mouth extending back more than half way to
gular fold. Eyes large and set far back. Gular fold prominent, but not
= es
25
meeting above. ‘Tongue large and with the papillary folds radiating from
behind. Choanz apart same distance as the nostrils. Series of palatine
teeth interrupted in the median line and behind each choana, thus making
four patches.
Limbs long and slender; in some specimens overlapping when laid
along the side; in others not quite meeting. ‘Toes long and slender.
Tail compressed, narrower above, but without a crest. The tarsal tuber-
cles are lacking, or there may be one indistinct.
The body varies above from Jead color to brown and black, paler below.
On the sides of body and tail, sometimes also on belly, there may be dis-
tinct or faint blotches of bluish, but often these are wholly wanting.
A length of five to six inches may be reached by full grown adults.
Of this species Prof. Cope recognizes three varieties, or subspecies, viz. :
Head broad ; its width in length to groin 4 to 4.5 times; lead colored
to brown, sometimes with whitish spots. jeffersonianum.
Head (as above) 5 times; black, with numerous white spots on sides,
belly and tail. laterale.
Head (as above) 5 times; uniform lead color. platineum,
A widely distributed species, but most common toward the north.
Hudson’s Bay south to Virginia and Southern Illinois. Indiana localities :
Hanover (Hallowell) ; Irvington (Hay); Franklin County (A. W. But-
ler); Wabash County (A. B. Ulrey); Monroe County (Ind. Univ. coll.) ;
Terre Haute (Blatchley) ; Lake Maxincuckee, Marshall County (the va-
riety laterale). The latter variety with black skin, relieved by numerous ©
bluish white spots on sides of body and tail and on the belly, and with
narrow head, may be expected throughout northern Indiana. It may be
distinguished from Plethodon glutinosus by the lack of parasphenoidal
teeth.
The special habits of this species have not, so far as I know, been
studied. These, however, we may be sure, resemble much those of the
other Ambystomas; but we may be as certain that they will present some
interesting peculiarities.
Ambystoma tigrinum, (Green.)
Tiger Salamander. ~
Salamandra tigrina, Green, 1825, 2, v, 116; Triton tigrinus, Holbrook,
1842, 54, v, 79, pl. 26; Ambystoma tigrina, Baird, 1849, 2, 284; Ambys-
toma mavortia, Baird, 1849, 2, 284; Amblystoma tigrinum, Cope, 4867, 7,
179; 1889, 51, 68, with figures; Boulenger, 1882, 28, 43.
This species, as now recognized, is one of the most widely distributed
of North American urodeles, being known from Maine to Florida, west
to California, and southwest to Mexica. In this wide extent of territory
the species has been subjected to a great variety of conditions, and the
24
result has been the production of numerous forms, which differ so much
that they have been described as distinct species under many names.
The discovery of intermediate specimens has resulted in bringing all the
forms under the earliest name, tigrinum. I describe the species as rep-
resented in Indiana. .
A large, heavily built species, with long tail, stout limbs gud a dark
color, varied with numerous yellow spots.
Head about as wide as the body, or somewhat narrower in large indi-
viduals; the width in the length to the groin about four times. Paratoid
region much swollen. Gular fold prominent, overlapping, rising on the
sides of the neck. A groove running back from the orbit to the gular
fold. Mouth large, reaching back half way or more to the gular fold.
Tongue large, with the papillary folds radiating from behind. Vomero-
palatine teeth in a straight or slightly curving series across the roof of the
mouth, just behind the choanze; occasionally the series projects forward
in an angle between the choanz.
The body is usually thick and depressed, and looks as if swollen. The
distance from the snout to the axilla is contained in the distance from
snout to groin two and a half times. There are twelve well marked cos-
tal furrows. The tail is commonly equal to the distance from snout to the
groin, but specimens are often found in which it is considerably longer.
It is flattened and the extremity has sharp edges above and below. —
The limbs are stout. There are two distinct tubercles on the sole of
the hind foot.
The ground color is a livid blue-black, brown, or black on the upper
side. Scattered over the body, limbs and tail are numerous spots of
bright yellow, which vary greatly in size, shape and arrangement. The
spots may enlarge and become confluent, so as almost to cover the upper
surface, or they may be almost obsolete. They are not limited to the
upper part of the back, as they are in A. punctatum. The belly is of the
same color as the upper surface, but it is usually wholly overlaid with
sulphur yellow, so as to obscure the ground color. Through this wash
of yellow may be seen the still brighter yellow of the spots. The chin
and throat are often almost wholly yellow, yet this does not conceal the.
still brighter yellow spots. Prof. W.S. Blatchley has shown me a very
large specimen from Terre Haute which is mostly yellow, but has on body
and tail rather broad anastomosing dark bands. It suggests Cope’s A.
ziphias, but lacks the projecting lower jaw and the very long tail.
This species is the largest of the genus, individuals sometimes reaching
a length of a foot. It is not uncommon to find them from six to nine
inches long.
Distribution from Maine to Florida, California and Mexico. Indiana
localities: Irvington and Indianapolis, rather common; Terre Haute
=
25
(Evermann, Blatchley), Crawfordsville (Beachler), Lafayette, very com-
mon (F. C. Test); in vicinity of Lake Maxincuckee; Wabash County
(Ulrey). Probably to be found throughout the State. The specimens
that I have seen from the northern portion of the State have the upper
surface less spotted with yellow than usual.
This species has probably been more extensively studied than any
other of the genus, and this especially on account of the fact that the
gills and other larval structures are sometimes retained until the animal
has reached the full adult size and even is capable of breeding. Dr.
Elliott Coues (9, 4, 290), in speaking of specimens taken in North
Dakota, says: ‘‘In all the specimens observed, the metamorphosis from
the Siredon stage was completed at a length of four to five inches. In
other regions I have procured the same species, still in the Siredon stage,
but nearly twice as large.’’ Some interesting observations have been
made on the larve of this species by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt (50, 1885, 265 ;
51, 453.) ‘
Dr. P. R Hoy (22, v. 578) states that the Tiger Salamander, early in
spring, about April 1,in Wisconsin, repairs to the water for the purpose
of depositing its eggs. These are laid in packets of from twenty to fifty,
on blades of grass. The eggs, including the gelatine, are a half inch in
diameter, the yelk one-eighth. The tadpole emerges in twenty-five
days, and has at that time a length of one-half inch. On each side of
the mouth is a short ‘‘holder.’? By May 5 the ‘‘holders”’ are lost, the
fore legs have made their appearance, and the larva feeds voraciously on
aquatic insects. By the middle of August the gills have been absorbed.
Thus about 100 days are occupied in attaining the adult condition. Dr.
Hoy further says that when the feet and legs have been amputated, as
they may be by water insects, they are reproduced, and the digits in the
same order as originally.
Though I have frequently taken this species about Indianapolis, I
have never been able to obtain its eggs nor to recognize the very young.
In Indiana the metamorphosis is undergone when the tadpole is about
four inches in length. I have seen many specimens taken at Irvington,
and these will illustrate the peculiarities of the young at a time just
preceding the metamorphosis. The entire length is 4.37 inches. There
are present three external gills, each with numerous flat filaments
arranged in two rows along the main axis. Three gill-slits are yet open,
- and these are guarded by gill-rakers similar to those of fishes. The
teeth of the vomers and those of the palatines form separate patches, —
and in a series parallel with those of the maxillaries and premaxillaries.
The tongue as yet shows no folds. The limbs are well developed. The
tail has a broad, fin-like membrane above and below. The upper mem-
brane extends forward well toward the head. The upper surface is
extensively mottled and blotched with dusky. The color below is white.
:
26
On the back are three or four faint cross-bands of dusky. No indica-
tions are present of the future yellow spots so conspicuous in the adult.
In Indiana this species appears to pass the winter hiding about the
margins of ponds, or, in some cases, away from the water, under logs
and such places. I have received specimens taken under the ice, in
company with A. microstomum, in January and February. Like the
latter species, it mostly leaves the water as soon as ovoposition is com- —
pleted. They may then be found burrowing in the earth, when they can
be found at all. However, this species, unlike A. microstomum, appears
to be capable of remaining indefinitely in the water during the summer
months and of enjoying its existence there. On the other hand, I haye
been told of a specimen that was taken in a dry corn-field on a hot day in
August. with
figures.
A species with broad head, stout body, black ground-color, and yellow
spots.
Head depressed ; widest at the swollen paratoid region. The greatest
width is contained in the distance to the groin from 4 to 4.6 times.
From the snout to the gular fold in distance from snout to groin 3.5 to
4times. Gular fold not prominent, but rising high on the neck. Another
fold from the angle of jaw running back to gular fold. Eyes of mod-
erate size. Mouth large. Tongue moderate, with the papillary folds
radiating from behind. Teeth of vomero-palatines in three portions, the
extremities of the series being separated from the median portion by in-
_ terruptions just behind the choane. The latter openings considerably
further apart than the external nostrils.
Body plump, with a dorsal groove and 11 (occasionally 10) costal fur-
rows. The distance from the snout to the axilla in distance from snout
to groin 2.5 times. Limbs moderately developed; when placed along
the side, just meeting or not quite. Toes rather short and depressed ;
28
the plantar tubercles indistinct. Tail thick at the base, becoming com-
pressed toward the tip, not high, and without a keel; a well-marked
depression along each side; usually shorter than remainder of the ani-
mal. Skin smooth, but well furnished with mucous pores. A row of
enlarged pores along the upper jaw, another inside the orbit, and another
on each side of the upper edge of the tail.
The general color varies from slate-blue to deep black. There is an
irregular row of spots along each side of the back and tail. Similar
spots are found also on the head. From head to tail there may be from
10 to 20 of these spots. In alcoholic specimens these spots are white,
but in life they are bright yellow. Those on the head are often bright
orange, at least in spring. The spots are usually the size of the orbit.
Under side of animal paler than above. May attain a length of seven
or eight inches.
It is distributed from Halifax, N.S., to Wisconsin and south to Geor-
gia and West Texas.
Indiana localities: Wabash County (Ulrey) ; New Harmony (Samp-
son’s coll.); Wheatland (Ridgway); Franklin County (Hughes) ;
Wayne County (Butler); Shelby County (G. H. Clark); Monroe
County (Ind. Univ. coll.); Irvington; Terre Haute (Evermann and
Blatchley). No doubt, exists throughout the State.
This species differs from A. tigrinum in haying but eleven costal
grooves, but a single series of yellow spots on the upper surface, in the
fading of these spots to white in alcohol and in having no plantar tuber-
cles, or but a single indistinct one.
Like its kindred, this species resorts in early spring to stagnant ponds
for the purpose of depositing its spawn. They have been found about
Irvington about the middle of March, hiding under pieces of fallen
wood, which lie partly in the water. Later they disperse and may occa-
sionally be found under logs. Dr. 8S. F. Clarke (122, 1880, No. 2) has
studied the development of this species. The’ eggs are laid in masses of
from 300 to 400. Each egg is covered with a thin coat of jelly, which
swells up when brought in contact with the water. This is supposed to
protect the eggs from fishes, but it probably protects them from many
other enemies, animal and vegetable. This mass of jelly is much more
solid than that of any other species of Ambystoma that Iam acquainted
with. While depositing her eggs, the female lies with her fore limbs
extended laterally and her hind limbs curved around the opening of the
cloaca, as if to assist in holding the eggs together. The male deposits
the sperm on the eggs and thus fertilizes them. The egg has a light and
a dark colored pole of equal size. Segmentation is most rapid in the
light-colored pole. In due time the balancers appear, and are again lost
on the thirtieth day. The larva has three pairs of gills, a tail with a
——
29
_ fin-like membrane, and soon develops fore and hind limbs. Its trans-
formation to the adult form occurs when a length of about two inches.
has been reached. (Cope, 51, 49.)
Like the related species, this salamander swims readily by vigorous.
strokes of its flat tail, while the limbs are held appressed to the sides.
They are often found floating on the water of the aquarium. When
disturbed they immediately plunge to the bottom and seek to hide.
Their food-habits are closely like those of A. tigrinum. They devour
with great greediness the angleworms that one offers them. The worms
are swallowed by a succession of gulps. One was observed to swallow
three inches of worm in five minutes. Prof. S..W. Garman has observed
that the tail is prehensile and employed to prevent the animal from fall-
ing. I have observed the same thing.
This species, like A. tigrinwm and
F
z
.
t
41
The tongue is free all round, as is the case with all of the genus, and
can be thrust far out of the mouth. The vomero-palatine teeth consists
of two short, curved series, which backwardly approach each other
without meeting, and which do not reach the parasphenoidal patches.
The latter are separated from each other by a narrow space.
The body is elongated and slightly depressed. The distance from the
snout to the axilla in distance to the groin nearly three times. There
are nearly always fourteen costal furrows, occasionally but thirteen,
rarely fifteen. There is a well-defined dorsal furrow. The limbs are
rather feebly developed, the outstretched hind limbs are contained in the
distance from the snout to the groin about 1.5 times The tail may be
a little shorter than the head and body, or a little longer. It is com-
pressed, keeled above, rounded below, and ends in a sharp point.
The color above is clear yellow, or yellowish-brown, sometimes merely
yellowish-gray ; below pale yellow, without spots Along the middle of
the back there is a row of small dark spots, and these may even become
confluent into a narrow line. Beginning at the eye, there is a dark-
brown line which runs backward on the body and tail. The lower barder
of this line may be continued down on the side, gradually fading out,
however, so that the whole side may appear to be occupied by a broad
dusky band. Just below the darkest upper edge of the band, in the
intercostal spaces, there may be spots of the ground color.
Size, usually about 3.5 inches, although a length of 4 inches may be
attained.
This species is very widely distributed, being known from Maine to
Florida, and west to Wisconsin, and possibly Louisiana.
Indiana localities are: Brookville ( Hughes and Butler); Monroe
County (Ind. Univ. coll.); Waveland, Montgomery County ( Butler) ;
Marion County, abundant at places along Fall Creek, (W. P. Hay);
Terre Haute ( Blatchley) ; Vigo County (Nor. Sch. coll.). Some speci-
mens from Vigo County have the ground-color, above, a gray merely
tinged with yellowish. The snouts of these specimens were also unusu-
ally blunt. Similar specimens have been taken in Marion County.
Mr. C. 8. Beachler reports the species from Waldron, Shelby County.
Like a number of other species, this seems to delight in living in close
proximity to the water without spending the whole of its time in that
element It is found hiding away under sticks and stones and among
dead leaves about shallow streams and rivulets issuing from springs.
It is very active and very slippery, so that when it starts away it is ex-
tremely difficult to eatch it. A number of adults and larvee were taken
June 1, by W. P. Hay, near Fall Creek, in Marion County. The adults
were concealed among the dead leaves on the borders of a spring, while
the larvee were found in a little pool not far away. The adults were ex-
tremely active, and ran rapidly by a kind of combination of wriggling
42
and jumping. The young, which had attained a length of one inch and
a half, had all the markings of the adults, except that the color was less
yellow. The limbs were developed as in the adults. There were three
pairs of gills, which the little animals held erect in the water. The tail
also had a broad membranous fin. When the young were disturbed,
they would dart through the water with a velocity that was surprising.
I was not able to determine what they eat. One of the adults, when
captured, had in its mouth the white larva of some dipterous insect.
The young show a decided disposition to leave the water long before the
gills are lost Both old and young have the ability to climb up perpen-
dicular surfaces, Some young were kept in a fruit jar in some water,
and it was found that they were dying. All the water was poured out,
except a very little, after which they fared better. One was found to
have crawled half-way up the side of the jar, and was resting there in
apparent content.
I have not been able to ascertain the character of the eggs of this sal-
amander, nor how they are disposed of. They must be laid in the early
spring.
Subfamily DESMOGNATHINE.
Vertebree opisthoccelian. Carpus and tarsus cartilaginous.
This subfamily contains only a single genus, Desmognathus, belonging
to which there are three species, only one of which is likely to be found
in Indiana.
Genus DESMOGNATHUS, Baird.
Desmognathus, Baird, 1849, 2, 285; Boulenger, 1882, 28, 77; Cope,
1889, 51, 194.
Vemero-palatine teeth in a short curved series behind the choanz;.
feebly developed or entirely wanting. Parasphenoidal patches present.
Premaxillaries ankylosed. Tongue extensively free laterally and behind,
little free in front. Digits 4-5. Vertebree opisthoccelian.*
Externally this genus has the characters of Plethodon. It is, however,
distinguished from the latter by its vertebree being convex in front, and
by the coalescence of the premaxillaries into one piece.
A. With 14 costal grooves.
«. Abdomen of uniform pale color. N. Y.and Pa. ochrophea,
aa. Abdomen marbled with light and dark.
fusca, p. 43.
AA. With 12 costal grooves.
Color black above and below. Va. to Ga. nigra.
*See foot-note page 439; p. 31 of author’s edition.
43
Desmognathus fusca, (Rafinerque).
Brown Triton.
Figure 5, Pl. 1.
Triturus fuscus, Rafin., 1820, 108, March; Salamandra quadrimaculata,
Holbrook, 1842, 54, 49, pl. 12; Desmognathus fuscus, Baird, 1849, 2,
285; Cope, 1869, 7, Shite Cope, 1889, 51, 194, with figures; Boulenger,
1882, 28, 77.
Body rather heat built and somewhat depressed. The distance from
the snout to the axilla in distance from snout to groin three times, or
nearly so. ‘There are usually 14, rarely 13 or 15, costal grooves. A dor-
sal furrow commencing at the nape and ending over the vent.
Head flat and the snout rounded. The gular fold prominent, rising on
the sides of the neck and the turning forward towards the eyes. Another
fold, starting on the under jaw, crosses the corner of the mouth and rises
on the side of the head. This furrow is crossed by one which starts be-
hind the eye and runs back to the gular.fold. The eyes are very promi-
nent. Tongue moderate in size, free at sides and behind, little free in
front. Vomero-palatine teeth not strongly developed, sometimes en-
tirely missing. When present they form only a short series on each side,
Parasphenoidal teeth in two patches which diverge backwardly. Lower
mandible somewhat undulate, especially in the males; toothed to near
the angle of the mouth. Width of head in distance to the groin about
five times. The limbs are feebly developed, the fore and the hind limbs,
when stretched along the side, not meeting by about four interspaces.
Fingers 4, toes 5, jomed at the bases by a narrow membrane. Tail about
as long asthe remainder of the animal, tapering gradually to a sharp
point; its section at the base circular becoming flattened further back on
the upper edge into a narrow fin.
The color of this species is quite variable. ‘The adults of full size are
usually dark above, with the belly paler, and with mottlings of brown.
Along with the brown of the upper surface are shades of gray and pink;
the young, and sometimes the half-grown, with ochreous spots along each
side of the back, and these bordered more or less with black. In some
specimens the whole middle line of the back is yellow or somewhat orange,
brightest along the outer border, and divided along the middle line by a
row of black spots. Such specimens resemble Plethodon cinereus erythyro-
notus. These bright colors are sometimes retained by the full-grown
specimens.
A variety of this species, awriculata, which bas not been recognized in
Indiana, is distinguished by having a series of small red spots along the
sides, and often a red spot from the eye to the corner of the mouth. Has
been taken near Cincinnati, Ohio.
4
The habitat of this salamander includes the territory extending from
Maine to Indiana, Georgia, Mississippi, and southwestern Arkansas.
In Indiana it has been taken, up to this time, only at Brookville (Hay-
mond, Butler, Hughes), and in Monroe County (C. H. Bollman); Rich-
mond (F. C. Test); Decatur County (W. P. Shannon).
Where found at all, this species appears to be one of the commonest.
It is to a very great extent aquatic. Prof. Cope says that ‘‘ it lives chiefly
among the stones in the many shallow rivulets and springs of the hilly
and mountainous regions of the country. It prefers the rapid and shallow
streamlets. Here it may be found under every stone, or its delicate
larvee may be observed darting rapidly from place to place, seeking con-
cealment among mud and leaves.” My experience with them is that,
while in confinement, they do not, at least during the summer months,
remain wholly in the water, but prefer to lie hidden in their tunnels in
moss, with the head sticking out, so as to observe what is goingon. When
they are lying thus, if an insect is presented to them on the forceps they
spring swiftly forward and seize and swallow it. I have had them to
take flies and small spiders. One attempted to swallow a nearly whole
red-legged grasshopper. They are extremely active and vigorous, and as
slippery as eels, and it is with the greatest difficulty that they can be re-
tained in the hands. When one is put on the floor, it escapes rapidly by
a sort of combination of leaping and running. When held on the hand
they will leap from it in the endeavor to escape. The tail is to some ex-
tent prehensile, and may be employed to keep the animal from falling.
Prof. Baird originally observed that this salamander lays its eggs in a
string, and this is wrapped several times around the body of one of the
pair, which then retires to a spot of concealment while the eggs develop.
This curious habit, about which more needs to be known, has been con-
firmed by Prof. Cope. How long the care for the eggs continues is not
known. ‘The larve retain the gills for a varying period, but usually until
the animal is half-grown.
Family VI. SALAMANDRIDA,
Body salamandrine in form. No persistent gills or gill-slits. Vertebre
opisthocclous. Vomers each with a long palatine process reaching back-
ward over the parasphenoid, bearing along its inner edge a single series of
teeth. No parasphenoidal teeth. Carpus and tarsus ossified. Our single
species red or olive above, with a series of red spots on each side of the
back,
As here defined, including Professor Cope’s families Salamandride and
Pleurodelide. It embraces from six to nine genera, of which we have
only the following :
————
—
45
Genus DIEMYCTYLUS, Raf.
Diemyctylus, Rafinesque, 1820, 108, 5; Cope, 1889, 51, 202; Molge,
Merrem, 1820, 96, 1885; Boulenger, 1882, 28, 6.
Vomero-palatine teeth on inner margin of long backwardly projecting
palatine processes of vomers. No parasphenoidal teeth. Tongue small,
free only a little at the sides. An arch of bone connecting the squamosal
and frontal bones. Digits 4-5. ;
Diemyctylus viridescens, Rafinesque.
Green Triton; Newt.
Figure 6, Pl. 1.
Triturus (D.) viridescens, Rafinesque, 1820, 108, No. 22; Salamandra
symmetrica, Holbrook, 1842, 54, v, 57, pl. 17; Diemyctylus viridescens,
Cope, 1889, 51, 207, with figures; Molge viridescens, Boulenger, 1882, 28,
21; D. viridescens, Gage, 1891, 22, 1103, with plate and complete syn-
‘onomy.
Body usually rounded and full, without a dorsal crest, but with a dis-
tinct sharp vertebral ridge. Distance from the snout to the axilla in
distance to groin 25 times. Head longer than broad, its width in dis-
tance to the groin about 3.5 times. Outlines of head converging in front
of the eyes to the rounded snout. Skull flat above, with four ridges en-
closing three grooves; the outer ridge formed by the fronto-squamosal
arch, Sides of the head perpendicular. A row of three or four enlarged
pores behind the eye; these sometimes wanting. No gular fold. Tongue
small and fleshy, free a little at the sides Vomero-palatine teeth in two
rows, which meet between the choanz; then, diverging gradually, run
backward along the roof of the mouth to the back of the skull. Tail
constituting about one-half the entire length of the animal, more or less.
compressed, and tapering to a point; in the breeding season furnished
above and below with a membrane-like fin.
Anterior limbs slender, the inner finger rudimentary. Hinder limbs
stout, the inner and the outer toes small. In the breeding season, black
callosities appear, in the case of the mature males, on the inner side of the
hinder limbs, on the bottoms of the feet, and at the tips of the toes, those
above forming transverse ridges.
The coloration of this species is so different at different periods of its.
life that aspecimen seen while immature and again when full-grown
would with difficulty be recognized as belonging to the same species. The
gilled larvee are olive of various shades, with black specks above; below,
the color is almost uniform whitish. The metamorphosed, but still im-
mature specimens are, on the other hand, of an orange color, varying to:
46
vermillion. The belly is somewhat paler. There may or may not be
small black specks on the upper surface; while there are on each side of
the back about half a dozen crimson spots of the size of the pupil, each
surrounded by a black ring. Such young specimens are terrestrial in
their habits. The sexually mature individuals are generally of some
shade of olive, often having a reddish or yellowish tinge. The lower
surface is generally of a bright yellow. Both above and below are to be
seen numerous dots of black. In the breeding males some of these spots,
especially those on the tail, may enlarge and become more or less ocella-
ted. On each side of the ack are the red spots surrounded by a black
ring. The red, immature specimens are generally quite rough above and
often below through the development, all over the skin, of small, pointed
papillee.
The distribution of this species is from Maine to Hudson’s Bay, Wiscon-
sin, Texas, and Georgia. Indiana localities are as follows: New Har-
mony (Sampzon’s Coll.), Brookville, where it is common (Hughes), Mt.
Carmel (LL. M. Turner), Monroe County (Ind. Univ. Coll.), Terre
Haute (Evermann, Blatchley), Rochester, Fulton County (Dr. Vernon
Gould), Lake Maxinkuckee, Marshall County (Hay.) ;
The habits of this beautiful and interesting creature have been studied
by many naturalists, among them Dr. Hallowell, Prof. S. F. Baird, Prof,
E. D. Cope, Dr. Howard Kelly, Sarah P. Monks, Col. Nicholas Pike,
and Prof. 8. P. Gage. The red form is so different from the sexually
mature, ‘‘ viridescent” form that it was originally described as a distinct
species under the name miniatus, and indeed was put by Rafinesque in a
different subgenus. Prof. Baird placed the forms in the same genus as
distinct species, but he recognized the close similarity existing between
the two. Prof. Cope as early as 1859 (1, 59, 122-128), expressed the
opinion that miniatus is only a state of viridescens; yet in his check list of
1875 he gives the two forms as subspecies. Later (51, 207) he regards
them as ‘‘seasonal forms, which may be by reason of the environment
rendered permanent for a longer or shorter time.” Dr. Howard Kelly
kept a number of the red miniatus in a dark box filled with wet moss and
saw them transform into the olive state characteristic of viridescens.
Sarah P. Monks observed the same change. Col. Nicholas Pike kept a
number of the red ones where they could enter the water. After some
time they did this, and after about three months they lost the bright red
color, and in less than a year had the olive hue of viridescens. He, in
common with many others, believed that the viridescens form might
change back into the miniatus form.
Prof. S. P. Gage and wife of Cornell University have studied the
species most carefully. They have seen the eggs deposited, watched the
hatching of the larvee, their transformation into the red, immature, mini-
atus, and the change of other specimens of these into the viridescens.
47
‘They believe that the terrestrial life continues until the autumn of the
third or the spring of the fourth year after hatching, and that when they
have once entered the water they do not again leave it unless the pool
-dries up or there is a scarcity of food.
The eggs are fertilized internally, and, when laid, are glued to the
leaves of aquatic plants. Prof. Gage’s observations seem to show that
-only about’ six or eight eggs are laid after each pairing of the sexes.
After some days another batch may be laid. The time of deposition of
the eggs extends from the first week of April until at least the middle of |
June. Gage’s statements to the effect that the eggs are attached singly
to the leaves of plants is confirmed by the observations of Cope and
Monks. Prof. Verrill, of Yale College, and Col. Pike, on the other
hand, state that the eggs are laid in masses containing from 25 to 150.
‘The larve are active and timid. Their heads are not so broad as those of
the larvoe of the Ambystomas, with which they may be associated. Their
food consists of minute crustaceans, larval insects, and small snails. In
color and form they closely resemble the full-grown individuals, except
that they have three plumose gills, and the broad tail-fin extends forward
to the back of the head. The gills begin to be absorbed during the last
half of the August after hatching, the tail-fin is absorbed, and the larvee
then often comes to the surface to obtain air. About September 1 the
now transformed young leave the water, hide away in the dirt and among
leaves, and acquire the yellow or red color. During the metamorphosis
the body appears to shrink considerably in size. I have seen, in the Na-
tional Museum, a number of specimens, 2.25 and 2.75 inches long, with
remains of gills, while red specimens, 1.75 inches long, entirely without
any trace of gillsare common. Prof. Gage, however, finds that the larvee
are usually only about an inch and a half long at the time of their change.
Where found in abundance, the adult newts may be taken during all
the warmer months of the year; and it is probable that they are active
during the whole year, unless the cold is too intense. They have been
seen swimming under ice an inch thick. They delight most in pools
which are fed by perennial springs. Their habits are not so nocturnal as
those of many of their kindred. They may be seen at all times of day
swimming about, climbing on aquatic plants, floating on the surface of
the water, and basking in the sunshine. The food of the adults consists
of insects, tadpoles, worms and mollusks. In confinement they become
quite tame, and will take pieces of beef or insects from a wire, opening
the mouth slowly, protruding the tongue, and gently pulling off the mor-
sel. One has been known to swallow a piece of earthworm twice its own
length, and to use its hands in holding its prey.
During the breeding season the colors are most intense, and the sexes
are at their best. The spots along the sides become flame-color, the belly
orange, while the male acquires a broad spotted crest along both edges of
48
the tail. At the same time the black callosities appear on the hind legs.
In their courtship the males are very active and very ostentatious. When
success is won, they seize the female around the body and remain thus for
an hour or more. Prof. Gage finds that the sexes pair in the fall as well
as in the spring.
The outer skin is frequently shed. It is pushed back from the head by
rubbing against objects; sometimes the hands are employed to effect this
purpose. The process of moulting occupies about an hour and a half.
Samuel Lookwood (22, x, 11) has seen it free itself of the cuticle while
under the water; immediately the little thing turned around and swallowed
the whole skin. Prof. Gage has seen the terrestrial form pull the
exuvium off the end of the tail and swallow it. It is also interesting that
the Newt can utter a faint shrill cry. The tail is extremely prehensile,
and may be employed to suspend the animal for some time. It has been
observed by Prof. Gage that during the aquatic stages the epithelium of
the mouth is of the non-ciliated variety, while during the miniatus stage
the epithelium is ciliated. Furthermore, the adults, while living in the
water enjoy a form of aquatic respiration, water being regularly taken
into the mouth and again expelled.
Order SALIENTIA.
Batrachia having a frog-like, or toad-like form. All four limbs present,
the hinder greatly developed and fitted for leaping. Proximal elements.
of tarsus elongated, so as to form an additional limb segment. Vertebree_
in front of the sacrum not exceeding nine. Ribs rarely present. No
tail in the adult state. A tympanic cavity present.
This order includes the frogs and toads. With rare exceptions, the
eggs are laid, fertilized, and hatched in the water. The young are familiar
to all as tadpoles. These breathe for a short period by means of external
gills, and for a longer time by internal gills. The intestines are long, the
mouth furnished with horny sheaths, and the lips with several rows of
horny teeth. By means of these, the little tadpoles are enabled to sup-
port themselves by scraping off the minute vegetable matter which covers.
objects in the water. As growth progresses, the limbs develop; the fore-
limbs, however, are for a long time concealed beneath the skin, and when
they break through, they appear to be produced suddenly. As the period
of metamorphosis approaches, the horny jaws and denticles are shed, the-
mouth enlarges, the tongue appears, the intestine shortens, the tail is
absorbed, respiration by the lungs prevails, the gills disappear, and the
tadpole leaves the water and becomes a frog.
All regions of the world, except the very coldest and the very driest,
furnish representatives of this Order. Altogether there are about 800
49
species described. All our species come under Prof. Cope’s suborders
Arcifera and Firmisternia. Of the first, we have representatives of two
families; of the second, one family.
Key To tHe Famiures or Salientia.
A. Clavicles* and coracoids of each side connected by an arched car-
tilage; that of the one side overlapping that of the other.
(Arcifera. )
a. Upper jaw without teeth; digits without disks.
Bufonide, p. 49-
aa. Upper jaw furnished with teeth.
b. Form frog-like; toes and fingers with disks.
Hylide, p. 52.
bb. Form toad-like; digits without disks. Seaphiopodide-.
AA. Clavicles and coracoids of the one side firmly connected with those
of the other side by means of a narrow median cartilage.
(Firmisternia. )
a. Upper jaw with teeth. Ranide, p. 64.
aa. No teeth on upper jaw. Engystomatidce.
Family VII. BUFONIDZ.
Both upper and lower jaws destitute of teeth. Vomerine teeth usually
absent. ‘The diapophysis of the sacral vertebree more or less expanded.
Vertebre proccelous. Ribs none.
A widely distributed family, containing, according to Cope, fourteem
genera, of which we possess only one, Bufo.
Certain characters are very commonly possessed by the Bufonide.
Among these are a heavy squat form, short limbs, a rough, warty skin,
and a collection of integumentary glands lying behinh the head, and
known as the paratoids.
GENUS BUFO, Laurenti.
Laurenti, 1768, 109, 25; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 281; Cope, 1889, 57,
260.
No vomerine teeth. Tympanum distinct or hidden. Toes webbed ;
fingers free. Sacral diapophysis more or less dilated. Outer metatarsals
united.
*Tn order to understand the arrangements of the shoulder girdle on which the division
of the Salientia into Arcifera and Firmisternia is based, the student ought to dissect this por-
tion of the common Toad, as a representative of the Arcifera, and the same portion of the
Leopard Frog, as an example of the Firmisternia, The accompanying figures, 7 and 8, pl. 2,
will assist.
4
50
Bufo lentiginosus, Shaw.
Toad.
Buf lentiginosus, Shaw, 1803, 77, iii, 173; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 308;
Cope, 1889, 51, 277 and 289, with figures. B. musicus, Holbrook, 1842,
OF, V6.1; pi A:
Var. americanus. Bufo americanus, LeConte, 1838, 53, i, 75, pl. 9;
1342; /54,.'v,5 17, pl. 4: B. lentiginosus, var. americanus, Boulenger, 1882,
27, 309; Cope, 1889, 52, 284, with figures.
Var. fowleri, B. lentiginosus fowleri, Putnam, 1889, 51, 279, with figures.
Form of body heavy and awkward. Head furnished above with more
or less conspicuous bony crests. Of these, two, the fronto-parietal, run
backward from the snout to the back of the head and embrace between
them a furrow. Immediately behind the orbits each of these is met at
right angles by a crest, the postorbital, which runs outward ‘and down-
ward behind the eye. From the lower end of the postorbital, a ridge,
the supra-tympanic, may pass backward over the tympanic disk.
Snout short and blunt, the outline in front of the nostrils perpendicu-
lar. Tympanic disk distinct, oval, smaller than the eye. Upper jaw
notched in the middle line. Paratoids elliptical, about as long as the
distance from-the nostril to the postorbital crest. Heel reaching to the
eye or less. Toes half-webbed. ‘Iwo metatarsal tubercles; the outer
small, the inner large and with a cutting edge.
Skin on the upper surface everywhere provided with large and small
pointed warts; below rough with crowded, pointed granulations.
Color variable; usually olive to brown, with irregular blotches and
spots of dark brown; middle of the back with a light streak; below
dirty yellow. The upper surface is sometimes almost a uniform black ;
at other times ash-gray, showing the dusky spots with great distinctness.
Occasionally a specimen is found with the tubercles, and even considera-
ble portions of the skin of a beautiful pink color. Other specimens may
be of a uniform brick-color above, pink below.
Males provided with a large vocal sac, which communicates with the
mouth by a slit on each side of the tongue. The toad may reach a length
of as much as five inches, including head and body. Females larger than
the males.
Four varieties, or subspecies, of this animal are recognized by Prof.
Cope, three of which may be looked for within our borders. They may
be distinguished as follows:
Fronto-parietal crests lying closely together, parallel, posteriorily pass-
ing little if any beyond the postorbitals. No supra-tympanic crest; a pre-
‘orbital ridge. Heel reaching beyond the muzzle. Size rather small.
Color grayish-olive ; vertebral line yellow. fowleri.
51
Fronto-parietal crests diverging toward back of head, and passing some-
what beyond the postorbitals. The latter crests short; preorbital not
strong; no supra-tympanic. Heel reaching the front of the orbit. Our
common form. americanus.
Fronto-parietals diverging toward back of head, passing beyond the
postorbitals and expanding into a pair of knobs; supra-tympanic well
developed. Head from snout to ends of crests contained in length to
vent 3.5 to 4 times. Southern. lentiginosus.
The common toad in its various forms has an extremely wide distribu-
tion, being known to occupy the whole of eastern North America, west
to Montana, Arizona, and Mexico. In Indiana the variety americanus is
everywhere distributed. The variety lentiginosus has not been reported
from any locality within the State, but may be looked for in the extreme
southern portion. The variety fowleri is known principally from speci-
mens found at Danvers, Mass., but Prof. Cope reports a specimen from
New Harmony. (See 51, 279.)
The toad is with us an extremely common animal. It is almost a
synonym for ugliness, but its mild and inoffensive disposition has gained
for it some degree of toleration. Nevertheless, it still suffers much per-
secution, chiefly at the hands of untaught and thoughtless or cruel boys.
The toad appears in the spring when the warm days have fully come,
and it is seen until the approach of the cool days of the autumn. Soon
after emerging from its winter retreat, it repairs to the water for the pur-
pose of depositing its eggs. These are laid, not as those of the common
frog, in a shapeless mass, but in a long string, consisting of a double
series of eggs enveloped in a tube of gelatinous materials. Mr. E. E.
Crosby (22, vii, 574) says that the eggs of two specimens numbered re-
spectively 8,840 and 2,200. Prof. Cope states that the young hatch early
and are of a darker hue than is usual with other Salientia, but it is difficult
to see how they can be blacker than the larve of Rana pipiens. The
length of the young mature toads is about one-half inch; the color gray-
ish, with small dark-colored spots. The metamorphosis occurs about
July 10. The notes of the male toad are heard principally during the
breeding season. They may be represented by the syllables ur-r-r-r-r,
The habits of the toad are mostly noctural, although it is not uncom-
mon to see a toad hopping about in the daylight. Usually, however, they
hide away during the day in holes and obscure corners, and come forth at
evening to seek their food. This consists mainly of insects, and of these
enormous numbers are devoured. It is related (34, 73, 23) that one old
toad ate at one time twenty-three squash bugs, and on the top of these,
ninety-four caterpillars. On account of this propensity for devouring in-
sects, intelligent gardeners and farmers seek to induce toads to take up
their residence on their grounds. No boy should be permitted to destroy
this harmless animal. The prey is taken by suddenly projecting the
ay
tongue from the mouth, and then withdrawing it with the insect sticking
to it. Besides insects, toads will eat earthworms, and small crustaceans,
while it is said that one attempted to swallow a wounded humming bird.
When the prey is large and difficult to swallow, the toad is said sometimes
to push it against the ground or a stone. One is described as pressing its
hand against its stomach, in order to hold down an earth worm that.
threatened to escape. The toad is stated never to make leaps after its
prey, but to await until it has approached near enough to be reached by
the tongue.
The warty skin of the toad is full of large glands, which secrete a
thick whitish fluid. This has very acrid properties, and doubtless serves
to render the animal unpalatable to most of its enemies. It does not.
seem, however, to protect it from snakes. It is said that this secretion
will make the mouth of dogs sore, and even to cause some inflammation
of the human skin. This last is doubtful. The skin of the frog is shed
at intervals, and the statement has been made that this skin is immediately
swallowed. During the winter the toad hibernates in holes and in the
mud.
Dr. J. A. Allen, of Cambridge, Mass., tells of some toads that were
taken in a torpid condition from the mud at the bottom of an old well.
Some of them were buried in the mud two feet deep, and he supposed
that they had been there ten or fifteen years, and probably longer. On: °
being taken out, they soon revived and hopped away.
Family VUI. HYLID&.
Upper jaw with teeth. Fingers and toes furnished with disks; these
supported by the claw-like, terminal phalangeal bone. Transverse pro-
cess of sacrum expanded. Vertebrze proccelous.
According to Prof. E. D. Cope, this family contains 183 species, and
these he includes in 18 genera. They are distributed in all the great
faunal regions. Of these genera, we have only three.
Key To THE GENERA OF Hylide FouND IN INDIANA.
Fingers without a web. Toes fully webbed. Digital disks small.
Aeris, p. 53.
Fingers webbed or not. Toes fully webbed. Digital disks larger.
Hyla, p. 55.
Fingers not webbed. ‘Toes with little or no web. Disks small,
Chorophilus, p. 61.
53
Genus ACKIS, Dum. & Bib
Acris, Dumeril & Bibron, 1841, 74, viii, 506; Boulenger, 1882, 27,
336; Cope, 1889, 51, 324.
Fingers free; toes fully webbed, the tips of the digits with small disks.
Vomerine teeth present. Tongue with a notch behind. Tympanum
indistinct. Sacral process little expanded.* Closely allied to Ayla.
This genus contains but a single species, and this is abundant every-
where with us.
Acris gryllus, (LeConte).
Cricket Frog.
Rana gryllus, LeConte, 1825, 62, i, 282; Acris gryllus, Dum. & Bib.,
74, 507; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 336; Cope, 1889, 51, 324, with figures;
Hylodes gryllus, Holbrook, 1842, 54, iv. 131, pl. 33.
Variety crepitans.
Acris crepitans, Baird, 1855, 1, 59; Boulenger, 1. c. ; Cope, 1. c., 326,
with figures. '
Form frog-like. Length of head, measured to hinder edge of tym-
panic disk, in the length of body to vent three times. Snout pointed,
its length in length of body six times; projecting beyond the lower lip.
Vomerine teeth in two patches between the choane. Tongue broad,
ovate, with or without a notch behind. Males with a large gular sac,
which opens beneath the tongue. Tympanic disk seen with difficulty,
Skin of the back smooth, or with small or’ large tubercles. Belly and
thighs granulated; throat smooth. Legs long, the heel passing near to
or beyond the snout. Two large metatarsal tubercles. Subarticular
tubercles well developed. Fingers without web; toes webbed to near
the tips.
Color variable and subject to rapid changes. Usually the upper sur-
face is ashy-gray or brown. Occasionally green predominates, or there
is considerable of reddish, especially along the middle of the back.
Between the eyes there is a triangular spot of dusky, bordered with
green in life. The middle line is usually pale. The upper lip is spot-
ted with black. There is a blotch of dusky from the eye to the shoulder,
and a stripe of the same above and behind the fore legs. Legs cross-
barred Color below, white; under jaw often dusky. The length of
large specimens is a little over one inch.
* Foor-NotE.—This character may easily be observed by making a transverse incision in
the skin of the back at the point where the iliac bones are connected with the vertebral
column; that is, where the frog’s back bends abruptly. The transverse process cleaned
of tissue, may then be compared with the same structure in the Common Tree-frog, Hyla
versicolor.
54
Two varieties, or subspecies, of this frog are recognized, as follows:
Skin of back nearly smooth; hind foot from metatarsal tubercles:
longer than half the length of head and body. gryllus.
Skin of back considerably tuberculated| Hind foot, from the meta-
tarsel tubercles, shorter than one-half the length of head and body.
erepitans.
The habitat of this species extends from New York to Florida, and
west to Nebraska and Texas. The variety gryllus is, for the most part,
Southern in its range, while crepitans is more Northern. In Indiana the
erepitans is found everywhere. The variety gryllus is in the National
Museum from Mt. Carmel, on the Wabash, and I have specimens taken
at Lake Maxinkuckee which correspond well to the descriptions of that
variety.
This little frog is one of our commonest batrachians. During the sum-
mer season it may be seen in numbers along all of our streams. I doubt if
it is often seen about the ponds or pools far from running water. It is
not thoroughly aquatic, but delights to spend its time amid the vegeta-
tion about the border of the water. When alarmed it will leap into the
water, but it often appears to become alarmed at its rashness and hastens
to reach the Jand again. When followed up, however, it will go to the
bottom and seek to conceal itseif for awhile. Though belonging to the
‘‘tree-frogs” it never ascends trees, and probably climbs only the shorter .
grasses.and water plants. It is a cheerful little creature, and on warm
days may constantly be heard executing its noisy song. This resembles
closely the striking together rapidly of two pebbles, and often, when
their singing has been interrupted by the passer-by, it may be started
again by clicking two stones sharply together.
This little chatterer appears very early in the spring, and it is my ob-
servation that it is to be found at all times during the summer. Numer-
ous specimens were found at Irvington on the 8th of March. The eggs
are probably laid about this time, although I do not know anything about
them. On the 16th of August I found numerous specimens of the tad-
poles of this species. They were found hiding in the vegetation at the
bottom of a small stream. They were in very different stages of devel-
opment, some with both the fore and the hind legs visible, others with
only short hind legs. The arrangement of the horny denticles about the
mouth of the larvee I found to be different from that of specimens of
Chorophilus triservatus. In both species there are two rows of horny den-
ticles on the upper lip. On the lower lip, there are in the Chorophilus
three rows of denticles, but in Acris only two. Furthermore, in Choro-
philus the denticles are finely serrated at their tips; in Acris this is not
the case. The teeth of the latter genus are less numerous than in the
former. The transformations occurred about September 1.
Dr. Holbrook states that the Cricket frog feeds on various kinds of
5d
insects, and makes immense leaps to secure its prey and to escape pur-
suers. He says that it can be easily domesticated, and takes its food
readily from the hand. He kept several of them for months in a glass
globe on a few sprigs of purslane, feeding them occasionally with flies;
their chirp was at times incessant, and sprinkling them with water never
failed to render them more lively and noisy.
Dr. C. C. Abbott (22, xvi, 707) has studied the habits of this species
in New Jersey. He found them extremely abundant along ditches
through meadows in the early spring, and very noisy. The eggs were
deposited in little masses about May 1, and attached to blades of coarse
grass. After the eggs were laid the number of frogs rapidly diminished,
and by June 10 all were gone. Dr. Abbott believes that all die, and
that those which appear later come from the transformation of the tad-
poles. This occurs late in August. The frogs seem to be moderately
abundant about the middle of September, but they are then found along
rapidly flowing brooks. He also thinks that the frogs do not eat during
the autumn, while in the early spring they are extremely voracious.
In this region I have found them during the whole summer, notably in
August before the tadpoles of the year have transformed.
Genus HYLA, Laurenti.
Hyla, Laurenti, 1768, 109,32; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 337; Cope, 1889,
51, 349.
Fingers wholly, partially, or not at all webbed. Toes more or less
webbed. The digits all provided with disks of larger or smaller size.
Vomerine teeth present. Tongue entire or notched behind. Tympanum
usually distinct, sometimes hidden. Sacral vertebrz, with its transverse
processes more or less expanded.
The essential difference between this genus and Acris lies in the amount
of expansion of the sacral diapophysis.
A large and widely distributed genus. North America possesses nine
of the species. Of these seven occur in the Eastern United States.
Key To THE E. U.S. Species oF Hyla.
A. Fingers one-third or one-fourth webbed.
Gray, olive, or green above; a V-like mark between eyes and a large,
dark blotch on the back. Thighs yellow inside, and with dark
mottling. Form stout. versicolor, p. 56.
Brownish or green above, without spots. A white line on upper lip
and along the sides. Thighs not mottled or spotted behind.
Form slender. carolinensis, Appendix.
56
B. Fingers webbed not at all, or only the outer with a narrow web.
a. Fingers entirely free.
Olive-brown above, green in life; a stripe from eye along the
side to femur. Toes two-thirds webbed. Tympanum one-
third the eye. Rare. N. J. and S. C. andersonii.
Olive or green above, with small, irregular dark spots. A V-
shaped mark between the eyes. Toes one-half webbed.
Tympanum one-half the eye. squirella, p. 58.
Gray or olive above, with a X-shaped cross on the back. Thighs
mot spotted behind. Tympanum one-half the eye. Toes one-
‘half webbed. pickeringti, p. 58.
b. Outer fingers with a narrow web.
Resembles H. versicolor, but with a web between the outer fingers
and with the thighs behind dusky and with yellow spots. S. C.
to Fla. femoralis.
Purplish ash above, with numerous irregular dark spots. Limbs
barred; thighs behind yellow, unspotted. Toes webbed to
penultimate phalanx. Tympanum one-half to two-thirds the
eye. Ga. to Fla. gratiosa.
Hyla versic>lor, LeConte.
Chameleon Tree-F'rog.
Hyla versicolor, LeConte, 1825, 62, i, 281; Holbrook, 1842, 54, iv,
115, pl. 28; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 372; Cope, 1889, 51, 373, with fig-
ures.
Form heavy and almost toad-like. Head considerably broader than
long; the snout rounded; the space in front of the eye concave. Eyes
Jarge and protruding. Tympanic disk about two-thirds the diameter of the
eye. Tongue large, circular, notched behind. Vomerine teeth in two
closely approximated patches lying between, or a little behind, the chone.
Chest crossed by a broad fold of skin. Fingers and toes with disks nearly
as large as the tympanum. Fingers with an evident membrane uniting
them. Toes webbed to near the tips. The first finger opposed to the
rest. On extending the hind leg along the side the heel attains the back
of the orbit.
Upper surface with numerous smooth warts; belly and under surface
of thighs granulated. Males furnished with a large gular sac which opens
on each side under the tongue.
The color in life varies from olive to dark gray and green, varying with
athe surroundings of the animal. Between the eyes there is a V pointing
(backwards. On the back there is a large, somewhat cruciform blotch of
dark color, and behind it another smaller blotch on each side. The limbs
57
are marked with broad bars of brown. The groin and the front and
back of the thighs are bright yellow, over which is a network of brown
lines. The gular sac of the males is often brown.
The length of a large specimen, head and body, is sometimes two
inches.
This species occurs from Maine to Minnesota, and south to the Gulf and
Texas. It is not necessary to specify localities in our own State.
Prof. Cope has recorded a variety of this species from Mt. Carmel, Ill.,
under the name of phwocrypta. ‘‘ The color is a dark brown, with three
rows of large approximated darker brown spots.” Thighs yellowish brown,
with little darker brown.
Hasirs.—This species is by far our commonest representative of the
Hylide. Although not often seen, it is heard by all, especially during the
early spring. The time of appearance in the spring varies with the lati-
tude and the weather. About Indianapolis I have heard them as early
as the middle of April, and they may come from their winter quarters
even earlier. Their breeding habits have been described by Mary H.
Hinckley, as they are displayed in Massachusetts (43, xxi, 104 and 309;
22, xvi, 636). The adults emerge from their places of concealment from
May 1 to 10. The eggs begin to be deposited immediately, and this pro-
ceeds until July 4. The eggs are attached singly or in small groups to
the grasses growing in the water near the shores. These eggs have ex-
tremely little gelatinous matter around them. The development of the
tadpoles goes on with great rapidity, being accomplished within forty-
eight hours. When hatched, the tadpoles are a quarter of an inch long,
and of a pale yellow color, dotted on the head and sides with olive. Later
the olive hue prevails, and there are markings of gold. The external
gills appear and are resorbed during the first week. The ‘‘ holders”
disappear within the first ten days. The tadpoles do not huddle together.
The hind legs appear at the age of three weeks. At that time the belly
is iridescent, the back metallic, and the tail may be of a bright red.
Soon, however, the color changes to a greenish, aud by the time the met-
amorphosis has been completed, the color is a bright green. The arms
appear during the eighth week. At this time they eat little food. They
abandon the water from the 19th to the 24th of July, and their size is
small. They betake themselves immediately to shrubbery and ascend it.
They were seen to catch small spiders and to eat plant-lice. Some that
were kept in a fernery gave evidence that they are nocturnal. Their
green color is retained for about three months, when the frogs become
gray. The black markings are not developed until after the young have
forsaken the water.
The Tree-frog has a loud voice and may be heard during damp
weather. It passes its time on trees, fences, and among vines, and it
has the power of adapting its colors to the objects among which it lives.
58
The changes are said to occur slowly. These changes of color enable it.
to escape the notice of its enemies. These frogs appear to hibernate
sometimes in the earth and sometimes in crevices in trees.
Hyla squirella, Bosc.
Squirrel Tree-frog.
Hyla squirella, Bosc, 1802, 57, ii, 181; Holbrook, 1842, 54, iv, 128,
pl. 80; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 398; Cope, 1889, 57, 363, with figures.
A species of small size, the length seldom exceeding an inch and a
quarter. The body and limbs slenderer than in either H. versicolor or
H. pickeringu. The snout is somewhat pointed; eyes prominent ;
tympanum about one-half the diameter of the eye. Vomerine teeth
between the choanz. Head broader than long. Fingers without web;
toes half-webbed. Heel reaching in front of the eye. Skin of the
upper surface smooth; of the belly, thighs, and sometimes of the chin
and throat, granulated.
Color above in life said to be green; below, white. In spirits, light.
brown or purplish. There is a V-shaped mark joining the eyes and
several scattered spots of the size of the tympanum on the back. A
dark band from the snout to the eye, thence through the ear to the
shoulder. Below this there is a narrow light line. Limbs indistinctly
barred.
The snout of this species is less projecting than in H. pickeringii; the
tympanum larger and more distinct.
Until recently this species has been known only from South Carolina
and west to Louisiana. Recently, however, a specimen was sent to
Professor Cope by Mr. Amos W. Butler, from Brookville, Indiana.
This gives a remarkable extension to the range of the species.
Of this frog Holbrook says that it is found on trees, often seeking
shelter under the bark of such as are decayed. It frequently chooses
old logs for the place of its hibernation. He had often seen them about
old houses and under logs and boards.
Hyla pickeringii, (Storer).
Pickering s Tree-frog.
Hylodes pickeringii. Storer, 1839, 58, 240; Holbrook, 1842, 54, iv,
135, pl. 34; Hyla pickeringit, LeConte, 1854, 1, 429, pl. 7; Boulenger,
1882, 27, 399; Cope, 1889, 51, 352, with figures.
Head a little longer than broad; snout rather pointed; the canthus
rostralis distinct; the loral region concave. Interorbital space wider
than the eyelid. Tympanum distinct, about half the diameter of the
59
eye. Tongue free behind, rounded and slightly notched. Vomerine-
teeth in two patches, a little behind the choane. Males furnished with
a large gular sac, which opens into the mouth by a slit each side of the
tongue. Fold of skin on the breast conspicuous or not. Fingers and.
toes with well-developed discs. Fingers entirely without webs. Toes:
half webbed. Hinder limb, when pressed to side, bringing the heel to
the eye. Two distinct tubercles on the heel; subarticular tubercles
present. Skin nearly smooth above, granulated on the chest, belly and
the under surface of the thigh.
Color above varying from ash to brown and reddish. On the back is
an X of narrow dusky lines, these beginning at the eyes and terminating
on the sides just before the insertion of the thighs. On each side of the
body, opposite the intersection of the lines of the X, begins another
dusky line, which runs parallel with the corresponding line of the X.
Between the eyes is a very open V. A dusky band runs from the snout
to the eye, and seems to be continued over the tympanum and the fore
leg, and fades out along the side. Edge of the upper lip pale, but
mottled with dusky. Some specks of brown on the breast and throat.
Gular sac of male brown, at least in the spring. Fore legs of the color
of the body, and with indistinct bars. Thighs mottled, tibie barred,
feet mottled. The young frogs, with bodies three-fourths of an inch im
length, are of a fine straw color, with the usual brown markings.
Length a little over one inch.
Known to occur from Maine (78, 707) to Manitoba and south to South:
Carolina and Indiana. Specimens of this frog have been taken in the
vicinity of Bloomington by the late Charles H. Bollman. Professor
Blatchley reports having taken four specimens at Terre Haute, and there
was a specimen from there in the Normal School collection. I have it
also at the hands of Mr. A. B. Ulrey, from North Manchester, Wabash
County. I have also received a specimen from Brookville, at the hands
of Mr. Ed. Hughes. It will, no doubt, be found ultimately in all por-
tions of the State.
Prof. Cope states that this is our most abundant species of Hyla, but
that it is more generally known by its voice than by its appearance’
“* After the rattling of the Acris gryllus in the marshes and river banks is
fairly under way, during the first bright days of spring, the shrill ery or
whistle of this little creature begins to enliven the colder swamps and
meadows of the hill country. Different individuals answer each other
with differently toned voices of a single note. This is exceedingly shrill
and loud; the muscular force employed in expelling the air from the
lungs seems to collapse the animal’s sides till they nearly meet, while the
gular sac is distended with each expulsion to half the size of the head and
body together. They are chiefly noisy in the end of the afternoon, but
in shady situations or on dark days may be heard through the morning
60
and noon. When the breeding season is over they may still be found,
but with difficulty, among fallen leaves in low places, where their color
admirably adapts them for concealment, or in cellars, or on the ground in
the woods. Not till the near approach of autumn do we have evidence
of their ascent into the trees. Then, when the wind is casting the first
‘frosted leaves to the ground, a whistle, weaker than the spring cry, is
heard, repeated at intervals during the day, from one part of the forest to
another, bearing considerable resemblance to the note of the purple finch,
uttered as it is while flying. These voices are heard during the same
season, that of the Hyla being distinguishable as slightly coarser, or more
like a squeak. Both are associated with the weak chirp of the late Den-
_dreca coronata as it gleans its insect food on its southern flight. These are
the latest sounds of autumn, and soon disappear before the steady advance
of the ice king.” (Cope, 51, 354.)
DeKay (30, 69) says that this species is abundant in the neighborhood
of New York, and that they are often to be seen on Indian corn and grape
vines, and in greenhouses, under the leaves of plants during the heat of
summer. He says that they feed on small flies; but it is not probable
that they restrict themselves to such small creatures. Mr. S. P. Fowler
sent the editors of the American Naturalist a beautiful fawn-colored spec-
imen, which he had found imbedded in a heap of grass in his garden on
November 25.
The eggs are laid in bunches of from 4 to 10, and are about one-twelfth
of an inch in diameter. The eggs and larve in various stages of devel-
opment are figured by Prof. Baird in Cope’s ‘‘ Batrachia of N. A.” He
states that the eggs are laid May 15. Smith says (18, 707,) that in
Maine the eggs are deposited in April. According to Prof. Baird’s state-
ments, the young are able to swim within four days. For further details
on breeding habits see Miss Hinckley’s paper in Mem. Bost. Loc. Nat.
Hist., vol. v, pp. 311-318.
Some larvee of pickeringii which I have examined in the National
Museum, at Washington, and which had the tail of full size, were a little
less than an inch in length. Other young which had just transformed
were only seven-sixteenths inch long. Prof. Blatchley reports finding
this frog at Terre Haute, April 8, at the margin of a pond, to which they
had evidently resorted in order to deposit their eggs. Two were kept in
captivity several weeks, and regularly at 8 p. M. they began their piping
notes, and kept them up about an hour. After this they were silent until
the next evening. The gular sac would be inflated until it was two-thirds
_as large as the animal itself, when the air would be forced out, pr oduetng
the notes. (94, 91, 27.)
61
Genus CHOROPHILUS, Baird.
Chorophilus, Baird, 1854, 1, 59; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 352; Cope,
1889, 57, 331; Helecetes, Baird, 7, 1854, 59.
Fingers free from web. Toes with little or no web. Digital diske
all small, but the phalanx with a strong claw. Vomerine teeth present.
Tongue round or oval, slightly notched behind. Tympanic disk distinct.
Sacral vertebra with its transverse process slightly expanded.
This genus contains some six species, all except one belonging to North.
America.
Key To THE NortH AMERICAN SPECIES OF Chorophilus
A. Upper jaw projecting beyond the rounded lower; profile pointed.
Width of head in length of head and body 2.5 to 2.66 times ;;
nostrils half way from tip of snout to eye. Texas. ornatus.
Width of head in length 3 to 3.5 times; nostrils nearer tip of
snout than orbit; nosubarticular tubercles. Georgia to Texas.
ocevdentalis.
Width of head in length 2.8 to 3.66 times; subarticular tubercles:
well developed ; upper surface usually with 3 to 5 dark stripes:
or rows of spots; nostrils nearer tip of snout than orbit-
Eastern United States. nigritus, p. 61.
B. Upper jaw not projecting beyond the almost V-shaped lower ;-.
profile truncated ; length two-thirds inch. South Carolina.
oculariss-
Chorophilus nigritus, (LeConte).
Striped Tree-frog.
Variety, nigritus. Rana nigrita, Leconte, 1825, 62, 282; Cystignathus
nigritus, Holbrook, 1842, 54, iv, 107, pl. 26; Chorophilus ngritus, Baird,.
1854, 1, 60; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 533 ; Cope, 1889, 57, 337, with figures.
Variety, feriarum. Helecetes feriarum, Baird, 1854, 1, 59; Chorophilus
feriarum, Cope, 1889, 51, 339, with figures.
Variety, triseriatus. Hyla triseriata, Wied, 1839, 63, 249; Chorophilus
triseriatus, Cope, 1875, 12, 30; 1889, 51, 342; C. septentrionalis, Bou-
lenger, 1882, 27, 335, pl. 23, fig. 1.
Length of head and body seldom exceeding an inch and a quarter.
Head having its length equal to its breadth or greater. Tympanum
distinct, about one-half the diameter of the eye. Tongue emarginate
behind. Vomerine teeth between, or slightly behind the choane.
Males furnished with a conspicuous gular sac, which is capable of con-
siderable inflation, and opening into mouth by a slit each side the base
62
of the tongue. A conspicuous fold of skin across the breast. Fingers
with, at most, a rudiment of a web. Toes with a slight web at their
basal joints. Disks of all the digits small. Limbs of quite variable
length, the heel reaching only to the tympanic disk, or to the nostril.
Skin almost everywhere granulated, finely on the back, more coarsely on
‘the lower surface.
General color, varying from light ash to fawn and purplish-brown ;
below, cream color. On the back and sides there may, in nearly all
specimens, be seen five dark stripes or rows of spots. One beginning
on the head, runs along the back, often forking on the urostyle. On
the head, this stripe may expand so as to involve the eyelids, or there
may be spots on the lids distinct from the median stripe. On each side
of this dorsal stripe is another, which begins behind the eye and ceases
just in front of the thigh. Another stripe begins on the snout, runs
through the eye, over the tympanic disk and the shoulder, and fades out
along the side. A whitish line runs along the upper lip to the shoulder.
Sometimes the median and the lateral bands next it may be broken up
into distinct spots, or these bands may be obsolete. The limbs are more
or less barred or spotted with dusky. _
Under the name nigritus I have included forms which are assigned by
Prof. Cope to three distinct species, nigritus, feriarum, triseriatus. I do
so because, at the present time, I do not think that the distinctions are
sufficiently constant to characterize species. That the student may
recognize the forms and accord them specific value, if he so desires, I
state the differences.
Snout acuminate; width of head in length of head and body 2.8 to 3
times; heel reaching in front of orbit; size larger; color leaden or fawn,
with three rows of dark spots above; these sometimes united into con-
tinuous bands. South Carolina to Mississippi. nigritus.
Snout shorter; width of head in the length 3 to 3.25 times; heel reach-
ing to front of orbit; length of body in total length of hind leg, from
1.40 to 1.70; color ash or brownish, eyelids involved in median stripe,
‘three parallel stripes above, seldom interrupted. Eastern United States
to Illinois. feriarum.
Snout drawn out; width of head in length 3.5 to 3.6 times; heel
reaching only to tympanic disk; length of body in total length of hind
leg, 1.24 to 1.50 times; color ash to brown, with three parallel dark
stripes, the median often forking behind; a distinct spot on each eyelid.
New Jersey to New Mexico and Idaho. triseriatus.
C. nigritus is chiefly or wholly southern, feriarum eastern, and triseria-
tus, the short-legzed and peaked-nosed form, mainly western, in distribu-
tion. All that I know of from Indiana belong to the variety feriarum.
These have been taken at Brookville (Ed. Hughes), Brooklyn, Morgan
County (W. P. Hay), Wheatland (Nat. Mus. coll.); Irvington; Terre
if
63
Haute (Blatchley), New Harmony and Mt. Vernon (Max. von Wied,
103, xxii, 118); Wabash and Kosciusko counties (A. B. Ulrey).
This species appears to be rather rare in Indiana, but its rarity may be
more apparent than real, since many of these animals have the faculty of
effectually concealing themselves from the eye of the collector. In Indi-
ana the variety feriarum lays its eggs about the 20th of March. The
writer has described the life history of this little frog (22, xxiii, 770, with
plate). Its eggs were found in a small pool on the 22d of March. They
were attached to twigs in small and large bunches. Each egg was one-
third inch in diameter, including the usual coating of jelly. In the egg
the larva has a strong dorsal flexure, and has the tail thrown over the
back. The tadpoles were set free on April 5. They are slenderer than
the larvee of the Leopard Frog, and not so dark in color. They are dark
gray, rather than black. The external gills are small and quickly ab-
sorbed. They spend much of their time sticking to objects by means of
their ‘‘ holders,” but very soon these organs disappear, and they then anchor
themselves by means of their sucker-like mouths. The rudiments of the
hinder limbs appear about the 20th of April. At the same time two
rows of horny teeth appear on each lip, and a few days later an addi-
tional row on the lower lip. These teeth are minutely deticulated at
their tips, and they form an admirable apparatus for scraping off the
layer of nutritious slime that covers all objects in the water. There are
from 55 to 95 of these teeth in each row. :
As the tadpoles grow older the body becomes broader and the tail
acquires a broad fin. By April 20 the length has become one half inch,
and by May 4 about three-quarters. The body is of a dark color,
adorned with numerous blotches of gold. The belly is nearly covered
with a shimmer of gold and coppery. When three-fourths inch long the
young were observed to come to the surface and to take in air.
By the 20th of May the young have attained the total length of a little
over an inch. Many of them about this time succeed in releasing their
forelegs from the skin which has held them down. Now the tadpoles
grow smaller instead of larger. This is largely due to the shortening of
the intestine at this period of transformation. These four-legged tad-
poles are very lively and very timid. They show a great inclination to
get out of the water and to hop about. They soon lose their skill in
swimming, and if confined to the water too long will drown. The disks
are seen on their fore feet as soon as these feet appear. The tails are rap-
ddly absorbed, and by the 12th of June all have become little frogs like
the adults, except in size. At the time of transformation the length of
the head and body is less than one-half inch.
This species, though called a tree-frog, probably never climbs trees.
‘They seem to live on the ground among the fallen forest leaves and in the
grass. Prof. Oope states that it will leap into the water when alarmed,
64
but will not stay there long. He also describes the note of triseriatus,.
which I have not heard. It is said to resemble that of the Cricket Frog,
although not so loud. It may be imitated by drawing a point strongly
across a coarse comb, holding them at the bottom of a jar and bringing
them rapidly to the top. The same authority says that the note is
uttered in the hottest part of the day.
Family IX. RANIDZ.
Upper jaw furnished with teeth. Vomerine teeth present or absent.
Transverse process of sacral vertebra little or not all expanded. Verte-.
bree procoeolus. Ribs none. A large family, of some 20 genera and
about 250 species. They belong chiefly to the Old World. Our species
belong to the
Genus RANA, Linneus.
Rana, Linneeus, 1758, 64, ed. x, 354; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 6; Cope,
1889, 51, 393.
Teeth on upper jaw and on vomers. Tongue free behind and notched.
Tympanum usually distinct, sometimes hidden. Fingers free. Toes-
webbed. Outer metatarsals separated -by a web.
Contains more than a hundred species, living in all countries except.
southern parts of South America and New Zealand. Cope assigns thir-
teen species to North America.
Kry To THE E. U. S. Species oF Rana.
A. Without a black ear patch.
Dorso-lateral dermal folds present; heel reaching nearly to the muz--
zle or beyond it; back with well defined dark brown, pale edged
oval or round spots. pipiens, p. 6d.
Dorso-lateral dermal folds large, with smaller ones between; heel to:
front of orbit; tympanum one-half the diameter of eye; brown
spots so large as to reduce ground color to a net-work of narrow
lines; three phalanges of fourth toe without web.
areolata circulosa, p. 68.
Dorso-lateral dermal folds four; the quadrate spots of back in rows;
two phalanges of fourth toe free of web; heel to front of orbit, or
sometimes to muzzle. palustris, p. 67.
Dorso-lateral dermal folds present; tympanum one-half size of eye,
or even Jarger than eye; hind foot longer than tibia or femur;
large dark spots on back. septentrionalis, Appendix.
Dorso-dermal folds present; skin of back rough; tympanma nearly
as large as eye, or larger; toes webbed nearly to tips; heel not
reaching muzzle; dark blotches on back; size moderate.
clamata, p. 69.
65
No dorso-dermal folds; tympanum usually as large as eye, or larger ;
toes webbed to tips; usually some blotches above; size large.
catesbiana, p. 70-
B. Side of head with a black patch.
Head in distance from snout to vent 3.5 times; tympanum one-half
the eye; skin of middle of back smooth; heel to middle of orbit.
cantabrigensis. Appendix.
Head in length 3 times; tympanum two-thirds the diameter of eye ;
skin of middle of back rough; heel to muzzle or more.
sylvatica, p. 71-
Rana pipiens, Gmel.
Leopard Frog.
Rana pipiens, Gmelin, 1788, 123, 1052; Rana virescens, Cope, 1889,
$1, 397, with figures; Rana halecina, Schreber, 1782, 66, 185; Holbrook,
1842, 54, iv, 91, pl. 22; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 41.
A very common, widely distributed and variable frog. Head varying
in relative length, being contained in the length of head and body from
2.5 to 3.5 times. Vomerine teeth in two slightly oblique patches between
the choanze. Tympanum about as large as the eye. Heel reaching to
the muzzle or a little beyond. A pair of prominent dorso-lateral folds
starting behind the eyes and running to the end of the body. Between
these may be two or more thinner folds. None of these folds are as broad
as those of R. palustris. Another glandular fold runs from the corner of
the mouth to the shoulder. No, or an inconspicuous, branch meeting
this from the dorsal-lateral fold behind the tympanum.
Ground color ashy, olive or bright green above; below uniform white
or yellowish. The upper surface with a number of rounded or oval brown
spots of small to medium size, and these usually bordered with yellowish.
The spots between the dorso-lateral folds are larger, and may be arranged
in two or three rows, or may be irregularly placed. Outside these folds
are two or three rows of smaller spots. The upper surfaces of the limbs
are more or less conspicuously barred or spotted. Length of head and
_ body of full grown specimens three to four inches.
Most of the males of this species have vucal sacs, which open by #
small slit near the angle of the mouth. These sacs appear to be pro-
truded through the slits, and serve to render the voice more powerful.
Of this species Prof. Cope recognizes four subspecies, three of which may
occur in our region. It must, however, be understood that forms inter-
mediate are likely to be found.
Head long, contained in the length to vent 2.5 to 3 times; snout
long and pointed ; males with external vocal vesicles; heel reaching be-
yond tip of snout; web of foot leaving three phalanges of fourth toe
5
66
free; spots of small size, scarcely bordered with pale; no longitudinal
band on the front of femur. Mostly in Southern States. sphenocephala.
Head of medium length, contained in length 3 times; snout pointed ;
males with vocal vesicles; heel reaching tip of snout; web of foot leaving
two phalanges of fourth toe free; spots of medium size, bordered with
pale color; femur with a longitudinal band; tibial bars divided into two
rows of spots. Maine to Mexico, but mostly in E. U. S. pipiens.
Head short, contained in the length 3.5 times; snout obtuse; vocal
vesicles rudimentary ; web of foot leaving nearly three phalanges free;
spots larger and widely bordered with yellow; cross bars of tibia com-
plete; no longitudinal bar or femur. Maine to Oregon and Mexico, but
mostly Western U. 5S. brachycephala.
This species, as represented by its different varieties, is distributed all
over the eastern portion of the United States and west to Oregon, Nevada
and Mexico. The variety sphenocephala is chiefly southern in its range,
pipiens (virescens of Cope) eastern and northern, and brachycephala west-
ern. Neither is confined, however, to these limits. With us the common
form is pipiens, and it is everywhere abundant. Sphenocephala is in the
National Museum from Wheatland, Ind., and to this I refer one specimen
from Lake Maxinkuckee, which I find in the collection of the State Nor-
mal Schoo]. One specimen in the same collection and taken at Camden,
Carroll County, had some of the characteristics of brachycephala. The
head is contained nearly 3.5 times in the total length. Three specimens
brought from Wabash County have the length of the head in length of
head and body only 2.66 times. These might be referred to sphenocephala.
The Leopard Frog is our commonest, best known, and most beautiful
frog. It is likewise the one tliat first makes its appearance when in the
early spring the ice has relaxed its hold on the waters of our ponds and
streams. Its cry is one of the earliest of the vernal notes. Indeed, it is
no unusual thing, during an open winter, to hear its croak during the
warmer days of midwinter. Its notes are of a varied kind. Prof. Cope
says that its voice may be imitated by the syllables chock, chock, chock ;
but at times it has a cry that sounds like derisive laughter, and again, a
sort of low, querrulous tone. Dr. Garnier (22, ’83, 949) speaks of its
‘‘lugubrious and dismal love notes.” Soon after it leaves its winter
quarters, it proceeds to lay and fertilize the eggs. These are extremely
numerous, and are laid in great masses, consisting of the small eggs en-
veloped in a large quantity of jelly. One pole of the egg is white, the
other black. I have record of the deposition of the eggs at Irvington on
March 18, and of the escape of the larvee by April 1. The latter are five-
sixteenths inch long; of this one-half is the broad tail. The numbers of
these to be seen sometimes in ponds is astonishing. These tadpoles grow
rapidly and transform during the first summer of their lives.
67
This frog is exceedingly active, and is capable of making leaps of 8 to
10 feet. They frequent ponds and streams, but they also leave these and
‘travel to considerable distances in the search of suitable food. When
thus traveling about they are much exposed to the attacks of snakes.
“Their intense green color must serve them well as a means of concealment
from their enemies. Like other frogs they pass the winter buried in the
‘mud at the bottoms of ponds and streams.
Rana palustris, LeConte.
Swamp Frog.
Rana palustris, LeConte, 1825, 62, i, 282; Holbrook, 1842, 54, iv, 95,
pl. 23; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 42; Cope, 1889, 57, 406, with figures.
This species is very closely related to Rana pipiens, and especially re-
sembles the variety brachycephala The head is relatively longer than in
the variety last named, being contained in the length of head and body
3 times. The snout is usually obtuse, although not always so. Vomerine
teeth in two nearly transverse patches between the choane. The tym-
panum is about two-thirds the diameter of the eye. The males have no
external vocal vesicles, although Boulenger says that they have internal
vesicles. The glandular folds of the back are especially well developed,
being unusually broad. Of these the dorso-lateral are most conspicuous.
They begin at the upper eyelid and run back to the hinder end of the
body. Nearer the middle line and just behind the eyes two other folds
begin, but appear to die out near the pelvic hump. Their places are there
taken by two folds which lie close to the urostyle. All these folds are
breader than in specimens of Rana pipiens. Above the tympanum the
dorso-lateral fold gives off a branch which curves down behind the tym-
panum and meets another fold starting at the mouth and terminating at
the shoulder.
The hind leg contains the length of the body 1.66 times. When the leg
is pressed to the side the heel reaches the snout, or somewhat less. The
web is deeply scalloped, and on the fourth toe leaves three phalanges free.
‘The tubercles of the palm and of the sole are greatly developed.
The ground color is a pale brown or ashy above; below, yellowish
white. Nearly the whole of the upper surface is covered with squarish
spots of dark brown. The dorso-lateral folds are of the ground color.
Within these there are two quite regular rows of the quadrate spots; the
interspaces of these are much narrower than the diameter of the spots.
Sometimes two or more of these spots coalesce so as to make a band.
‘There is a spot on the snout and another on each eyelid. Outside ot’ the
dorso-lateral folds on each side is a row of spots like those of the back,
but somewhat smaller. Lower down on the side is still another row of
smaller and more irregular spots. On the upper jaw is a white streak
68
from the snout to the shoulder. Upper and lower lips are mottled. The
arms are spotted. The hind limbs are conspicuously barred from the
groin to the toes. The posterior surface of the thighs is bright yellow,
spotted with brown.
This species is found from New Brunswick west to Iowa, and south to:
Louisiana. It has been reported to me as occurring at Brookville
(Hughes), and at Bloomington (Bollman). I have not seen the speci-
mens from either of these places. In the State Normal School collection
are two specimens that were taken at Lake Maxinkuckee. I have two
specimens taken at Irvington, which I refer to this species with some
doubt.
I have been able to learn little about the special habits of this frog.
Prof. Cope tells us that it is a more solitary frog than R pipiens, that it
prefers cold springs, and that it is seen in the grass more frequently than
any others of our frogs. Its note is likewise said to be a low prolonged
croak, somewhat resembling the sound of tearing some coarse material.
Some authors tell us that it has a strong, disagreeable smell.
Rana areolata circulosa, R. and D.
Hoosier Frog.
Rana circulosa, Rice and Davis, 1878, 67, ed. ii, 355; Cope, 1889, 51,
413, with figures.
Rana areolata, as defined by Prof. Cope, is made up of four subspecies.
Of these three belong to the Southern States, the fourth, circulosa, was.
originally described from specimens taken in Benton County, Ind. The
species is characterized by a large, broad head, a short leg, imperfect pal-
mation, and its peculiar coloration. The length of the head is one-
third or more of the length, and its breadth is equal to, or greater than,.
its length. The leg, when pressed to the side, brings the heel only to the
eye. The web is deeply scalloped and leaves three phalanges of the
fourth toe free. Above, on each side, is a strong glandular fold, and be-
tween these there are several thin folds.
In circulosa the head is one-third of the length to the vent, and quite
flat. The tympanic disk is oval or circular and only one-half the diameter
of the eye. Between the dorso-lateral folds are six to eight narrow folds,
and these may disappear in alcohol.
The striking thing about these frogs is their coloration. The spots
found on the upper surfaces of their relatives, R. pipiens and palustris,
have here become so expanded that they cover nearly the whole area.
The ground color of yellowish is reduced to a network of narrow lines, or
circles. Posteriorly in large specimens the lines of the net-work are
broader and browner, and have a border of a lighter color. The spots.
themselves are of a reddish brown color. No light streaks about the
69
head. Upper lip marbled with brown and yellow. Fore limbs mottled.
Hind leg, including thigh, tibia, and foot, with wide bars of dusky and
very narrow interspaces. Below, the color is uniform yellowish.
Found in northern portions of Indiana and Iliinois. Described origin-
ally from a specimen which was found in Benton county, Indiana, by E.
F. Shipman. About the size of R pipiens, but one specimen in the
National Museum is nearly five inches long from snout to vent.
Rana clamata, Daudin.
Green Frog.
Rana clamata, Daudin, 1803, 69, 104; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 36; Cope,
1889, 51, 419, with figures; Rana clamatans, Holbrook, 1842, 54, iv, 85,
pl. 20.
Head broad and flattened, contained in the length of head and body
about three times. Snout rounded. Eyes large and _ protruding.
Vomerine teeth in two patches, the posterior edges of which project
behind the line joining the hinder borders of the choanz. Tympanic
disk usually as large as the eye, sometimes larger; occasionally,
especially in the females, somewhat smaller than the eye. A groove
passes from the back of the eye over the tympanic disk and downward
behind it, and terminates in front of the arm. There are present two
dorso-lateral glandular folds. These start at the upper eyelids and run
back to the pelvic region. Over the tympanic disk a branch is given
off which passes down behind the disk and terminates over the arm.
The groove described above lies between the disk and the branch. The
skin of the back and sides is more or less rough.~ This roughness is
produced by minute, sharp-pointed, wart-like elevations, those along the
sides largest.
Hind limb, when pressed to the side, bringing the heel between the
eyeand snout. Third toe longer than the fifth. Toes webbed nearly to
the tips. Subarticular and one metatarsal tubercles moderately devel-
oped.
Color above varying from greenish olive to brown; in life often bright
green toward the head. On the back there are usually numerous small
nearly circular blotches of dark brown, and larger ones on the sides.
These are not spots, light bordered and definite, as those of R. pipiens,
but look as if the color had run into the surrounding skin. The hind
legs are crossed by narrow bars or rows of spots. The hinder surface of
the thighs is granulated and of a yellow color, with spots and mottlings.
of black. The lower jaw and throat are marbled with brown, otherwise
70
pale below. This species may be distinguished from R. catesbiana by the-
presence of the two dorsal folds. The length of head and body may be: °
greater than three inches.
Distributed over the Eastern United States at least to the plains.
Found all over Indiana in abundance.
This frog is thoroughly aquatic and lives along streams, in pools and
in cold springs. It probably never leaves the water to travel any con--
siderable distance. It is rather solitary, never collecting in such
numbers as do the individuals of R. pipiens. They are timid, and when
surprised by the stroller they leap, with a cry, into the water. Its voice
may be represented by the syllable ‘‘chung.’’ DeKay states that its-
note is more sonorous and in a lower key than that of the Bull-frog. The
tadpoles of this species require two years for their development. Before
the tail has been absorbed this species may be distinguished from larvee
of the Bull-frog by the presence of the dorsal glandular folds. When the
fore limbs have appeared, the total length of the tadpole is about two.
and a half inches. The larve are stated to live on soft vegetable sub-
stances and never to be carnivorous.
Rana catesbiana, Shaw.
Bull-frog.
Rana catesbiana, Shaw, 1802, 77, iti, 106, pl. 27; Boulenger, 1882, 27,
36; Cope, 1889, 51, 424, with figures; Rana pipiens, Harlan, 1825, 47,
62; Holbrook, 1842, 54, iv, 77, pl. 18 (not of Gmelin).
Attaining the largest size of any of our frogs, the body becoming in.
some cases 8 inches long, and the length of head, body and legs 18
inches. Head contained in the length 3 times or less; usually somewhat
broader than long; sides of head sloping outward; snout rounded.
Vomerine teeth projecting little behind the choanze. Tympanic disk the
size of the eye or even larger. Skin of the back smooth or minutely
rough. Heel reaching to the front of the eye. Fourth finger slightly
longer than the first. Third toe longer than the fifth. Toes webbed to
the tips. There are no dorso-lateral glandular folds. A glandular fold
begins at the upper eyelid, runs over and behind the tympanic disk, and
in front of the arm, ending on the breast. Between it and the tympanic
disk is a sharp groove.
The color of the upper surfaces in aicohol varies from reddish to olive
and brown. In life the color may be pale yellow, green, brownish, or
even deep brown. Below, the general color is white or yellowish. On
the upper surface spots of brown may occasionally be almost entirely
missing, but generally there are blotches of brown varying in size and
number, sometimes running together. Their outlines are not well.
a .
71
marked. The sides usually with distinct marblings of brown. The
thighs may be spotted as well as the rest of the leg and foot. The lower
surfaces may be almost devoid of any brown markings, or they may be
conspicuously present on throat, breast, belly and legs. The hinder part
of the thighs is usually mottled and blotched.
Distribution, Eastern North America to the Rocky Mountains. Every-
where in Indiana.
This species lives in the waters of our brooks, rivers and lakes. It
probably never strays away from the vicinity of the water in the search
of food. Its loud voice has given it its popular name of ‘‘ Bull-frog.”
Prof. Cope says that its notes may be imitated by utturing a bass
‘‘br’wum” several times in a hoarse voice in front of an empty cask.
Dr. J. H. Gardnier (22, 1883, 954) says that he has heard the Bull-frog”
at a distance of 5 or 8 miles. Authors tell us that when this frog is
whipped it will cry much like a child; and Dr. Gardnier says that he
has known the Bull-frog to hold its mouth open and scream for more
than a minute, like a child in distress. These frogs are very voracious,
and seem to catch and swallow almost any living thing that they can pos-
sibly devour. They have been known to eat cray-fishes, small fish, insects,
worms, snails, mice, and even their own species. One was observed to
be trying to swallow another of about half its size. Prof. J. A. Allem
tells us that one seized and swallowed a cedar bird which he had shot,
although the wings and tail continued to protrude out of the frog’s
mouth. Dr: Jos. Jones, of Georgia, reports having found in the stom-
ach of one that he dissected a ‘‘ grass-snake” three feet long. Other
cases of the latter kind are on record.
The tadpoles of these frogs, like those of R. clamata, require two years
for their complete development. It is possible that in some cases @
greater number of years is passed in the larval state. A larva of this
species was found to have a total length of 4.5 inches, of which 2.8 was
tail. The general color above was dark olive green, below yellowish
white.
This species is the one that is most relished as an article of diet. The
frogs are often caught with hooks baited with red flannel.
Rana sylvatica, LeConte.
Wood Frog.
Rana sylvatica, LeConte, 1825, 62, 282; Holbrook, 1842, 54, iv, 99,
pl. 24; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 47; Cope, 1889, 51, 447, with figures.
A rather slender and graceful frog, with a broad head and long legs.
Length of head contained in the length of head and body from 3 to 3.5
times; its width greater than its length and contained in body and head
72
2.5 to 2.75 times. Snout rather pointed, the canthus rostrales distinct.
Eyes prominent. Tympanic disk about two-thirds the diameter of the
eye. A dorso-lateral glandular fold starts at the corner of the eye and
continues along the side to near the vent. Over the tympanic disk it
gives off a rather indistinct branch, which bends down behind the disk
and terminates over the arm. There are no folds between the dorso-lat-
erals. Another glandular fold begins at the corner of the mouth and
stops just over the arm. The skin of the back, the sides, and upper sur-
faces of the legs is provided with numerous minute sharp points, which
produce a slight roughness to the sight and touch. The hinder surface of
the thighs somewhat granulated. Other surfacessmooth. Legs long, the
heel reaching to the muzzle or beyond. Tibia longer than the femur.
One metatarsal present. The subarticular tubercles feebly developed.
Web leaving two phalanges of longest toe, and one of the others, free.
Length of head and body may be about 3 or 4 inches.
In alcoholic specimens the color of the upper surfaces of body and
limbs varies from pale reddish-brown to ashy or dark gray; the sides
may be pale yellow or brown; beneath whitish. There may bea few
indistinct spots on the pelvic region of the back, while the sides may be
somewhat mottled with dusky. Lower surfaces occasionally indistinetly
marbled. Limbs distinctly or indistinctly barred with brown. A dark
stripe at the base of the humerus in front. A black stripe from the
snout to the eye. A triangular brown ear patch. A white stripe from
the snout and along the upper lip to the arm. Upper and -lower lips
marbled with brown and whitish. One specimen in my possession, captured
at Irvington, has a light streak from snout to vent, reminding one of
R. catabrigensis. In life the colors are variable. One was gray above,
the back with a tinge of green, while the hind limbs had a tinge of
weddish. The dark ear-patch was overlaid with a tint of copper. Iris
golden. The glandular folds were golden-yellow, the flanks yellowish-
green. Another living specimen was of a reddish or pink color every-
where above. In life the color is liable to undergo rapid and consider-
able changes, according to the surroundings.
This species occurs from Maine to the Athabasca River and south to
‘South Carolina and Missouri. It is doubtless to be found everywhere
in Indiana. Localities which have furnished specimens are as follows:
Marion and Shelby counties (Hay); Franklin County (Hughes) ;
Monroe County (Ind. Uniy. coll.) ; Montgomery County (A. W. But-
fer); Hamilton County (F. C. Test); Terre Haute (Evermann and
Blatchley ); Wheatland (R. Ridgway ); Wabash County (A. B. Ulrey).
This, it appears to me, is our most delicate, beautiful and interesting
species of Rana. It is far less aquatic than the others, preferring to
spend its life among the fallen leaves of the forest. It is not often seen,
but occasionally occurs in enormous numbers. DeKay (30, 64,) says
73
that Dr. Kirtland informed him that they were so abundant in the
woods of Ohio that it was almost impossible to move without stepping on
them. With us, at the present day, they are far less abundant. They
are extremely active, and when pursued, they escape by making great
and quickly repeated leaps. They are very skillful in hiding, and the
close resemblance of their colors to the dead leaves and grass surround-
ing them renders it extremely difficult to find them. One that I was
after leaped into the water and hid along side of a stone, and although
I knew almost exactly where it was, it was some time before I could
recognize it.
Miss Hinckley has studied the habits of the breeding adults and of
the young (43, xxii, 91; 22, xviii, 151). These frogs congregate very
early in the spring for the purpose of ovoposition, although they are
not able to move in water below a temperature of 45° F. There may
be as many as 1,380 eggs in one mass. The time of development varies
greatly according to the temperature. The external gills were devel-
oped within two days after hatching, and in four more were wholly
absorbed. ‘The metamorphosis of the tadpoles was prolonged from April
12 to June9. Tadpoles, which on May 31 measured 58 mm. in length,
became reduced after the metamorphosis to 18 mm., about three-fourths
of aninch. It was first observed by Prof. S. F. Baird that the tadpoles
of this frog are carnivorous. He says that one way of preparing the skel-
eton of small animals is to put them in a vessel of water containing the
living tadpoles of some of our frogs. These will devour the macerating
flesh and leave the bones cleaned and hanging together by the ligaments.
The larvee of R. sylvatica are, he said, the most effective.
CLASS II. REPTILIA.
Members of the Class Reptilia pass their lives under extremely various
conditions and circumstances. Many, as the larger number of the turtles,
some snakes and the crocodiles, are given to haunting the waters of the sea,
or of the rivers, lakes and ponds. Others, such as most snakes, and many
tortoises, and the lizards, spend their lives on the land, and some of them
in the hottest and most arid situations. Their eggs, even those of the
most aquatic species, are always laid on the land; and the young, though
they may, immediately after they are hatched, betake themselves to the
water, never have gills, and depend wholly on their lungs for the oxygen
that enters their blood. Their form is from the first like that of the
adults.
In nearly all cases the epidermal layer of the skin of reptiles is disposed
in the form of scales or plates. These may, on the one hand, be so small
as to form mere granules, or, on the other hand, they may consist of a few
large plates, like those of most tortoises. The soft-shell turtles, however,
furnish us with an exception to the rule given. The epidermis of these
is soft and moist, and is not broken up into definite areas. When limbs
are present they are made up of the same elements as those of Batrachians,
Birds and Mammals. But many reptiles, such as the snakes and many
lizards, are entirely devoid of limbs. The blood of reptiles is cold, the
heart has only three chambers (except in the crocodiles), and the arterial
blood, as it is distributed to the body, becomes more or less mixed with
the venous blood. As to their reproduction, most lay eggs; others bring
forth their young alive, the eggs being retained in the body until the
young have reached a considerable size.
Key TO THE ORDERS OF ExisTiInG REPTILES.
A. Body covered with small, usually overlapping epidermal scales ;
these supported or not by bony plates of similar form and size,
which also do not articulate with one another.
a. Body usually extremely elongated; bones of upper jaws loosely
connected with the rest of the skull; rami of lower jaw
loosely connected at symphasis by elastic tissue. Serpents.
Ophidia, p. T&
75
b. Body shorter, but sometimes considerably elongated; limbs:
present or absent; bones of upper jaw firmly connected with
remainder of the skull; wami of lower jaw connected by
suture. Lizards. Lacertilia, p. 131.
B. Body more or less protected by an armor of articulating bony scutes ;
these usually overlaid by firm epidermal plates of similar or dif-
ferent shape; absent, however, in some turtles.
a. Body short and broad; encased in a bony shell formed above of
the expanded ribs, below of dermal bones; four limbs; jaws
covered by horny beaks; no teeth. Tortoises.
Chelonia, p. 142.
b. Body lizard-like; more or less protected by transverse series of
dermal bones; limbs four; jaws provided with teeth. Croc-
odiles and alligators. Extralimital. Crocodilia.
Order OPHIDIA.
Snakes,
Animals having a greatly elongated body and a tapering, pointed tail.
Limbs wholly wanting, except in the rare cases where hinder limbs are
believed to be represented by a pair of anal spurs. Vertebree many and
strongly articulated. Ribs movable and employed in locomotion. Brain-
case consisting of a reduced number of bones, which are firmly con-
nected and form an efficient protection to the brain. Bones concerned in
the seizing and swallowing of the prey—the palato-pterygoids, maxillee,
the quadrate and the squamosal—are loosely connected with the cranium
and with one another. Mandibles loosely joined in front by elastic tis-
sues. Gape of mouth usually large. No eyelids. Skin of upper sur-
face provided with small, usually overlapping scales; belly with larger
transverse scutes. Head usually covered with a few large, regularly
arranged plates. Vent a transverse slit.
The Ophidia form a large and important order of Reptiles. They
inhabit all the great faunal regions of the globe. They are few in species
in the colder portions of the globe, but swarm in the hotter and moister
regions. They are divided by naturalists into a large number of fam-
ilies, but of these we have representatives of only the following three:
76
Kry TO THE NATIVE FAMILIES OF OPHIDIA.
Maxillary bones elongated, with a row of several teeth in each; none
-ef these grooved or perforated; no poison glands or fangs present.
Colubride, p. 76.
Maxillary bones each with a single erect, immovable poison fang,
which is grooved in front. No pit between eye and nostril. Body with
wings of black, red, and yellow. Elapide, p. 121.
Maxillary bones much shortened, bearing each a large, erectile poison-
fang, with a few supplementary fangs; these perforated and the func-
tional fang connected with the duct of a poison gland. A pit between
the eye and nostril. Orotalide, p. 122.
Family I. COLUBRID.
Figure 9, Pl. 3.
Form elongated. Head more or less distinct from the neck. Tail
tapering to a point. Head covered with large epidermal plates.* Max-
illary long, furnished with a row of conical, solid teeth. No poison
fangs or glands. Pupil circular. No pit in front of eye. No rattle.
No anal spurs.
Key TO THE GENERA OF THE Famity Oolubride.
A. Anal plate divided.
a. Dorsal scales not keeled. +
b. Loral absent; anteorbital present. Tantilla.
bb. Loral present; anteorbital absent.
ce. Nasal single, pierced by nostril.
Rows of scales 13. Carphophis, p. 78.
Rows of scales 19; two prefrontals.
Abastor. Appendix.
Rows of scales 19; prefrontals united.
Farancia, p..79.
cc. Nasals 2, with nostril between them; rows of scales,
15 or 17. Virginia, p. 80.
*For plates illustrating the heads of North American species, see Volume X of the
Pacific Railroad Survey Report.
+Sometimes in Coluter only the scales of the upper rows have keels, and occasionally
all may be smooth,
ar
bbb. Both loral and anteorbital present.
d. Nasals 2; anteorbitals usually 2.
Adult size large; pairs of subcaudal plates
seldom fewer than half the number of ventral
plates. Bascanion, p- 8i-
Adult size small; pairs of subcaudal plates:
seldom more than one-third the number of
ventral plates. Diadophis, p. 84.
dd. Nasal single; anteorbital single; subcaudale
more than one-half the ventrals.
Cyclophis, p. 85.
aa. Dorsal scales more or less keeled.*
e. Rostral normal; not shovel-shaped or
keeled.
f. Three plates between the rostral and)
the eye.
Nasal single; anteorbital and loral
present. Phyllophilophis, p. 86-
Nasals 2; anteorbital present; loral!
absent. Storerta, p. 88-
Nasals 2; anteorbital wanting; loral
present. Haldea. Appendix.
ff. Four plates between rostral and eye
(2 nasals, anteorbital, loral). Some
of the outer rows of scales smooth ;
rows 25 to 29; ventral plates 200°
to 270. Coluber, p- 99.
All the scales keeled; rows 19 to»
33; ventrals 125 to 160.
Natriz, p. 95--
ee. Rostral expanded and shovel-shaped, with:
a median keel. Heterodon, p. 102.-
AA. Anal plate not divided.
g. Dorsal scales smooth.
h. _Rostral plate normal. Ophibolus. p. 107.
hh. Rostral enlarged, trihedral. Cemophora.
eg. Dorsal scales keeled, rostral normal.
i. Postfrontals two pairs; scales in 25 to 35 rows.
Pituophis. Appendix.
ii. Postfrontals one pair; scales in 17 to 21 rows; nasals-
divided. Eutainia. p. 112-
iii. Postfrontals a single pair; scales in 19 rows; nasals
single. Tropidoclonium. Appendix-
*See foot note on preceding page.
78
Genus CARPHOPHIS, Gervais.
Carphophis, Gervais, 1843, 72, iii, 191; Garman, 1883, 13, 99;
Celuta, Baird and Girard, 1858, 6, 120.
Small snakes with little heads and short tails. Head not distinct from
the neck. Crown shields 7 or 9, there being in some cases but a single
pair of frontals. Vertical broad. Loral present. No anteorbital.
Nasals single. Scales smooth and glossy, arranged in 13 rows. Anal
plates divided.
a. Color of the back descending below third row of scales.
amena, p. 78.
aa. Color of the back not descending below third row of scales.
vermis. Appendix.
Car¢hophis amcena, (Say).
Ground-snake.
Coluber ameenus, Say, 1825, 2, 237; Celuta amena, Baird and Girard,
1853, 6, 129; Cooper, 1860, 20, xii, pt. ii, 302, pl. 19, fig. 2; Carpho-
phis amena, Gervais, 1848, 72, iii, 191; Garman, 1883, 73, 100, pl. vii,
fig. 1; Carphophiops amenus, Cope, 1892, 3, xiv, 596.
Celuta helene, Kennicett, 1859, 7, 100; Carphophiops helene, Cope,
1875, 12, 34; Carphophis helene, Smith, 1882, 18, 699.
Head ata, the snout moderately Siepeuien and rounded. Vertical
hexagonal. Rostral convex. Postfrontals entering into the orbits, the
prefrontals small or absent. Postorbital single. Upper labials 5; . eye
over third and fourth. Lower labials 6. Ventral plates 112 to 131;
‘subcaudals 24 to 36 pairs. Scales smooth and glossy, arranged in 13
rows.
Color above, rich chestnut brown, below yellow to salmon. Length not
exceeding one foot. The specimens without prefrontals have been re-
garded as belonging to a distinct species helene. Prof. Cope has shown
recently, however (3, 1892, 596), that this is an inconstant character,
and that the forms must be united.
The species is distributed from Massachusetts to Georgia, and west to
Central Arkansas. Indiana localities are: Wheatland (Ridgway); New
Harmony (Sampson’s coll.) ; Monroe County (C. H. Bollman); Brown
‘County (Chas. Jameson) ; Crawford County (Hay), where in the vicinity
of Wyandotte Cave several specimens were found hiding under stones
and logs; Terre Haute (Blatchley). Some of the specimens from New
Harmony and those from Wheatland belonged to the form with pre-
frontals; all the others were without prefrontals.
79
Little is known about the habits of this innocent little serpent. DeKay
states that it is found hiding under logs and stones. Mr. Sampson, of
New Harmony, told me that he found it under the dead leaves in the
forests. Its movements are probably nocturnal. Holbrook adds that it
lives on insects. Dr. J. A. Allen states that it is decidedly subterrestrial
in its habits, and is more frequently turned up by the plow or hoe than
seen crawling on the surface. It seeks to bury itself when thus exposed.
‘Observations on the breeding habits are needed.
Genus FARANCIA, Gray.
Farancia, Gray, 1842, 73, 68; Baire and Girard, 1853, 6, 123.
Head slightly distinct from the body. Crown-shields eight, the pre-
frontals being united. No anteorbital, the postfrontal and the loral en-
tering into the orbit. Two postorbitals. Nasal single, grooved below
the nostril. Scales not keeled; arranged in nineteen rows. Anal plate
divided. Size large.
Farancia abacura, (Holbrook).
Horn-snake. Checkered-snake.
Coluber abacurus, Holbrook, 1836, 53, i, 119, pl. 23; Helicops abacurus,
Holbrook, 1842, 54, ili, 111, pl. 26; Farancia abacurus, Baird and Girard,
1853, 6, 123; Hydrops abacurus, Dum. and Bib., 1854, 74, atlas, pl. 65;
Garman, 1883, 13, 36, pl. 1, fig. 5.
A snake reaching a large size. Head scarcely distinct from the body.
‘Crown-shields normal, except that the prefrontals of the opposite sides
are fused into one. No anteorbital. Loral and postfrontal forming an-
terior border of the orbit. Rostral low. Nasal single, groove below the
nostril. Postorbitals two. Upper labials 7, the eye over 3d and 4th.
Lower labials 8 or 9. Scales smooth and shining; arranged in 19 rows.
Ventral plates 171 to 203; subcaudals 35 to 47. Anal plate divided.
The ground color may be regarded as blue-black. The sides are marked
with about sixty transverse bands or wedges of bright red, which in some
cases extend nearly t» the middle of the back. These bands sometimes
extend downward to the middle of the belly, and either join or alternate
those of the opposite side. Since the red has definite margins and con-
trast strongly with the black, the belly has a checkered appearance. The
head above is dark blue, with the plates tinged with red on their margins.
Upper labials red, with a blue spot on each.
This snake reaches a large size, contrasting in this respect with its rela-
tives, Carphophis and Virginia. One mentioned by Mr. S. Garman is
54 inches long, of which 5.6 is tail. This species is distributed from South
Carolina to Louisiana and Central Arkansas, and up the Mississippi Val-
ley to Knox County, Indiana. It and its eggs have been sent from
80
Wheatland to Mr. Robert Ridgway, of the National Museum. It, has alsc
been taken in Illinois just across the Wabash River from Indiana. Ihave
seen it at Little Rock, Arkansas, in a cypress swamp. Holbrook says of
this species that it is rare and shy, and that it lives in swampy ground
and in damp places. It is a beautiful snake, as beauty goes among
snakes,
Genus VIRGINIA, B. & @.
Virginia, Baird & Girard, 1853, 6, 127; Garman, 1883, 73, 96, in
part.
Small, slender, and feeble snakes, with small head and short tail.
Head narrow, rather high, snout pointed. Crown-shields 9. Postfront-
als large, entering orbit and suppressing the anteorbitals. Loral present.
Nasals 2, with the nostril in the anterior. Postorbitals 2, the lower
small. Scales smooth, or feebly keeled on the posterior of body ; ar-
ranged in 15 or 17 rows. Anal plate divided.
a. Scales in 17 rows. elegans, p. 80.
aa. Scales in 15 rows. valerie. Appendix.
Virginia elegans, Kenn.
Virginia’s Snake.
Virginia elegans, Kennicott, 1859, 7, 99; Garman, 1883, 13, 98.
Originally described by Kennicott from specimens obtained ‘‘ in heavily
timbered regions in Southern Illinois.” In my possession is a small spec-
imen that was taken by the late Charles Jameson, of Indianapolis, at some
point in Brown County. The total length is 5.75 inches. +From this I
draw a description.
Head small, narrow, and relatively high. Snout pointed, and the sides
of the head perpendicular. Vertical hexagonal, with its right and left
sides parallel. Occipitals large. Prefrontals entering the orbit and with
the lorals forming its anterior border. Upper labials 6, the eye over the
4th and 5th. Scales in 17 rows; smooth, except that those on the tail
are feebly keeled. Ventral plates 120; subcaudals 45.
Color gray, with a tinge of purplish, especially on the head. Below
yellowish white, possibly reddish in life. On the dorsal surface are to be
seen, here and there, small black dots. Those on the upper surface and
the sides of the head more numerous and resembling points made by a
fine pen.
From Brown county, Indiana, to Indian Territory (10, 84).
Nothing appears to be known about the distinctive habits of this deli-
cate little creature. It must live on the smallest insects and worm-like
creatures. Its subdued colors will undoubtedly enable it to escape the
notice of its enemies. Its near relative, Virginia valerie, has not yet been
found in Indiana.
—..
81
Genus BASCANION, B. & G.
Baseanion, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 938. Baseaniwm, Cope, 1875,
12, 40.
Size large, form elongated; head distinct from the body; narrow and
with sides perpendicular; tail long. Crown-shields 9. Vertical rather
long and narrow. Two pairs of frontals. Loral present. Anteorbitals-
2. Postorbitals 2. Nasals 2, with nostril between. Dorsal seales
smooth; arranged in 15 or 17 rows. Ventral plates 170 to 210; sub-
eaudals 80 to 150. Anal plate divided. Pairs of subcaudals seldom
fewer than one-half the number of ventral plates.
Bascanion constrictor, (Linn.).
Black-snake. Black-racer. Blue-racer.
Coluner constrictor, Linnzeus, 1758, 64, ed. x, 216; Holbrook, 1842,
54, ili, 55, pl. 11; Garman, 1883, 13, 41, pl. iv, fig. 3. Bascanion
constrictor, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 93.
A long, slender snake, with a distinct head and a slender, whip-like
tail, which constitutes about one-fourth the entire length. Head long,
pointed, high; crown flat, and with the face bent down in front of the
eyes. Eye in a groove which runs forward to the nostril. Snout
pointed and rather projecting. Rostral high. Upper anteorbital large,
the lower verysmall. Upper labials 7 or 8, the large eye over the third.
and fourth. Lower labials 8 to 10, sixth very large. Rows of dersal
scales in 17 (rarely 15 or 19) rows; the scales very smooth, the median
narrow, the outer broad. Ventral plates 171 to 190; subcaudals 80 to
110.
The color of the adults is uniform above, but varies according to age
and varieties from lustrous pitch-black to lead color and yellowish olive.
Length 6 feet or more. In its varieties or sub-species this species: has a
range from the Atlantic to the Pacific and south to Mexico.
Variety constrictor.
. Lustrous pitch-black above, varying to lead color. Below, the color is
greenish-white or slate color, with the middle line paler. There is more:
or less white on the chin and the lower jaw. Upper labials with some
white. Specimens from the prairies of the West and Southwest are of
an olive-green color, and such shade into the variety flaviventris.
The colors of the young Black-snake are so different from those of the
adult that one would hardly suspect it to be the same species. Instead
of being of a uniform color above, they are much blotched and spotted-
There is a series of reddish-brown blotches with black borders along the
middle of the back, but disappearing on the tail. The blotches are
about three scales long, and reach down to about the fourth row of scales.
6
82
on each side. The sides are furnished with many specks and spots of
brown. The intervals between the spots are grayish or olive. The head
is mottled and specked. Below, the color is greenish-white, with three
or four specks of brown on each scale. Specimens over 18 inches begin
to assume the coloration of the adult.
The range of this variety is from the Mississippi River eastward. It
is to be found in all portions of Indiana, and it is unnecessary to specify
localities.
No species of our snakes is, probably, better known, or, at least, more
talked about, than is the ‘‘ Black-snake’”’ or ‘‘ Black-racer,’”’ or, as it is
often called, the ‘‘Blue-racer.’? This is true probably because of its
abundance in all localities and because of its bold, active, and aggressive
disposition. It is, however, somewhat confounded with another common
Black-snake, Coluber obsoletus, which does not appear to be nearly so
active or so saucy.
The systematic name of this snake, constrictor, was given in allusion to
its supposed habit of entwining itself about the limbs and bodies of per-
sons whom it might see fit to attack. Gmelin, one of its early deseribers,
speaks of it as running with great velocity, biting without poison, attack-
ing men by entwining itself about their limbs and squeezing. This is a
widely spread idea concerning these snakes at the present day, and there
is no doubt some truth in it. However, their daring is greatly exagger-
ated, and the stories that we may hear everywhere about their squeezing
people to death are without sufficient foundation. If one of these snakes
were driven to bay, or were seized, there is little doubt that it would defend
itself with great vigor and promptness. These serpents are not without
wisdom, and it is a common reputation which they have that they will
sometimes pursue persons who are retreating, but when the latter turn
the snakes will seek safety in flight. They are evidently full of curiosity,
and will often follow persons or objects, apparently merely to observe
them. I have been told of one of these snakes which was in a meadow
where a mowing machine was at work. The noise of the mower appeared
to excite the reptile greatly, and it followed the machine around the
meadow several times. At last it became so wrought up that it sprang
over the sickle bar and was cut into pieces. It is possible that in this
case the animal had young ones in the vicinity. Prof. Blatchley says
(94, 91, 31) that they are vicious, and will hiss and strike at a trespasser
when they are seeking a hiding place for the winter.
DeKay states that it isa bold, wild, and untameable animal, and that it
climbs trees with great ease by twining itself around the trunk in a spiral
manner. This it does in quest of eggs and the young of birds. Hol-
brook says that it feeds on mice, toads, and small birds. It is bold and
daring, entering barns and outhouses without fear, and has been known
to destroy young chickens. He also reports it as very irascible during
83
‘the breeding season, and that it will attack persons who may pass it, even
-at a distance of several steps. Its tail quivers with rage, making a quick,
vibratory motiou, which among dry leaves sounds not unlike the whir of
the rattlesnake. It will even descend trees in order to attack an enemy
who may tease it. He never knew one to try to twine jet about the
legs, as it is commonly supposed to do.
Besides eating such creatures as have been already mentioned, the
black-snake sometimes attacks and devours other snakes. Mr. F. W.
Cragin (22, xii, 820) states that he found a black-snake swallowing a
striped snake, Eutainia sirtalis, which he had killed the day before. The
black-snake was 42, the striped-snake 22 inches long. This was a case in
which the reptile was driven to partaking of cold victuals. Prof. A. E.
Verrill, of Yale College, writes (22, iii, 158) that a student of Yale
caught a large black-snake, and in bringing it home alive by the neck
smothered it so that it became sick and vomited up a copperhead snake
two feet long and in a nearly perfect condition. Soon afterward this was
followed by a good-sized frog. Prof. Verrill supposes that the black-snake
-caught the copperhead while it was trying to swallow the frog; but this
supposition is by no means necessary. Black-snakes are known to attack
and destroy rattlesnakes in open fight. The black-snake is said to circle
around the rattlesnake until the latter becomes confused or thrown off his
guard, and then to spring suddenly upon the poisonous reptile, encircle
him in its folds, and squeeze him to death. Dr. Elliott Coues (9, 4, 269)
speaks of the hostility existing between the black-snake and the rattle-
snake. In one case reported the black-snake threw two or three coils of
its tail behind the rattlesnake’s head and several others further back, and
then, by a powerful muscular effort, tore the rattlesnake in two. When
the black-snake has thus triumphed he has a right to a full meal. They
are known to eat other species of snakes (22, ii, 136). When one snake
swallows another the head is taken into the mouth first. A snake can
swallow another almost as large as itself.
H. A. Brons, writing (22, xvi, 566) of the habits of some western
snakes, says that this species and some others have the habit of swal-
lowing whole eggs, and that it is no unusual occurrence to find such
‘snakes with the entire contents of quails’, prairie hens’, and domestic
fowls’ nests in their capacious stomachs.» With a little trouble they
may be compelled to disgorge the ingesta unbroken. Miss Hopley, in
her interesting book on snakes, says that these snakes will eat eggs, and
that they will drink milk and eat cream. But when people tell us that
they will suck the cows we must draw the line broadly and distinctly.
In the fall, and sometimes probably also in the spring, these snakes
collect together often in large numbers, and we hear occasionally of
“‘balls’’ of snakes having been seen. Brons, cited above, says that the
female of the ‘‘ Racer’’ is the larger, and not so graceful in form or
84
movements. During the season of love making she seems to toy with
the male, at times darting through the grass, among stones and into-
crevices to avoid him. On clear, level ground she is at a disadvantage.
There, if she attempts to quit him, a coil of his tail is thrown about her
body and his head laid upon her neck, and if it is removed, as promptly
replaced, in the evident endeavor to propitiate her. Later in the sea-
son they are solitary or live in pairs.
The eggs of the black-snake are an inch and a half long and an inch
in diameter. They are covered with a thick, tough skin. Out of such
an egg I took a young snake 10.5 inches long. The snout was blunt,
while a little sharp tooth projected from the middle of the upper jaw,
beyond the lip. (See Agassiz 4, 1, 288; Dr. Weinland, Proc. Essex
Inst. ii, 28.) This is an ‘‘ egg tooth,’’ and its purpose is to enable the
young to rip open the tough egg coverings when the time for hatching
has come. This tooth is shortly afterward shed. Just the time of lay-
ing the eggs and the special way in which the female disposes of them.
I have not been able to learn. They are in all likelihood hidden away
in soft earth or in rotten wood. In one female I found nineteen eggs,
of which seven were in the left oviduct.
Genus DIADOPHIS, B. & @.
Diadophis, Baird & Girard, 1853, 6, 112; Garman, 18838, 13, 60.
Small, slender snakes, with a distinct and depressed head and a tail of
moderate length. Crown-shields nine. Prefrontals two pairs. Loralk
present. Anteorbitals two. Postorbitals two. Nasals two, with the
nostril between. Scales smooth, arranged in fifteen or seventeen rows.
Anal plate divided. Ventrals 145 to 237. Subcaudals 36 to 60, sel-.
dom more than one-third the number of ventrals. Anal plate divided.
Diadophis punctatus, (Linn.).
Ring-necked Snake.
Coluber punctatus, Linnzeus, 1766, 64, ed. xii, i, 876; Holbrook, 1842,
54, iii, *1, pl. 18; Diadophis punctatus, Baird & Girard, 1853, 6, 112;
Garman, 1883, 74, 72.
A snake of small size, having a head distinct from the body, and a
tail about one-fourth the total length. Head flat, snout rather broad
and projecting beyond the lower jaw. Rostral low and broad. The
lower anteorbital small. Upper labials seven or eight, eye over third
and fourth, or fourth and fifth. Lower labials eight, fifth largest.
Scales smooth, arranged in fifteen rows. Ventrals 148 to 205. Sub-
caudals 36 to 60.
85
The color above varies in the subspecies, or varieties, from olive
through gray to blue-black; below from yellowish white to orange and
red, with more or fewer dark spots. There is usually a light ring
around the neck, close to the head.
The form usually found in Indiana is the typical punctatus The color
above is a bluish black or a dark ash, with a wash of bronzy that extends
down to the lowest rows of scales. Below, the color is orange or deep red,
somewhat palest in front. On the outer ends of each of the ventrals there
is a small black spot, and these are involved in the color of the dorsal
scales. Near the middle line of the ventrals may be two rows of dark
spots, or the spots on the ventrals may unite to form transverse bars.
The ring around the neck is orange, edged with black. It is one or two
scales in width. Upper labials yellow. The length may become about
fifteen inches. This form is distributed from Nova Scotia to Georgia and
the Mississippi Valley. Indiana localities are New Harmony (Sampson’s
coll.) ; Franklin county (Hughes); Monroe county (Bollman) ; Mont-
gomery county (a specimen brought me by Mr. Beachler); Terre Haute
(Blatchley); Shades of Death, Parke county.
Hasrrs.—Not much can be said concerning the habits of this little
snake. Holbrook says that it is a very timid animal, living a great part
of the time under the bark of trees, or old logs and stones. It emerges
from its hiding places toward the dusk of evening, or after rain, when
the insects on which it feeds have been washed from their hiding
places. DeKay tells us (30, 39) that it is perfectly inoffensive, and that
it emits a disagreeable odor. I can find nothing concerning its breeding
habits.
Genus CYCLOPHIS, Giinther.
Cyclophis, Giinther, 1858, 26, 119; Garman, 1883, 13, 39; Chlorosoma,
Wagler, 1830, 75, 185; Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 108.
Form moderately elongated and slender. Head distinct from body.
Tail long and tapering. Crown-shields 9. Loral present, small. One
anteorbital, high. Postorbitals 2. Nasal single, nostril in its center.
Eyes of moderate size. Mouth-cleft long and curved. Scales smooth;
disposed in 15 rows. Anal plate divided.
Cyclophis vernalis, (DeKay).
Smooth Green-snake.
Coluber vernalis, DeKay, 1827, 2, 361; Holbrook, 1842, 54, iii, 79, pl.
17; Chlorosoma vernalis, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 108; Cyclophis ver-
nalis, Giinther, 1858, 26, 119; Garman, 1883, 13, 39.
Body and tail rather long and slender, but less conspicuously so than
in Phyllophilophis estivus. Tail forming seldom more than one-third the
86
total length, usually one-third or one-fourth. Head narrow and mod-
erately high. Snout somewhat projecting beyond the lower jaw. Mouth-
cleft large, curved. Upper labials 7; the eye over 8d and 4th. Lower
labials 8; the 5th largest. Scales smooth; disposed in 15 rows. Ven-
trals 125 to 140; subcaudals 69 to 95; the latter seldom 70 per cent. of
the former in number.
Color above, grass-green, fading somewhat on the lower rows of scales.
Below greenish yellow. On the throat and upper labials yellowish white.
The green of the upper surface often changing in alcohol to blue.
Distributed from Nova Scotia to Wyoming and southwest to New Mex-
ico. Rare or not found in the Southern States.
In Indiana it is probably generally, but not abundantly, distributed.
Known localities: New Harmony (Sampson’s coll.) ; Brown county
(collected by Chas. Jameson).
This is a beautiful and inoffensive little creature. Its color indicates
plainly both that it lives among green plants and that it is little able to:
defend itself from the attacks of enemies. It must therefore depend on
concealment for safety. It probably lives almost entirely in the grass,
and rarely ascends trees and shrubbery, as does its relative, the Rough
Green-snake. Holbrook says of it that ‘‘it isa very gentle animal, and
can be handled with impunity; it seeks meadows of high grass, where
crickets and grasshoppers abound, on which it feeds. It is found mostly
on the ground, though at times I have seen it stretched on the branches-
of low shrubs, as the dwarf willow.” DeKay (30, 40) says of it that it.
is exceedingly quick and lively in its movements; that it is most abund-
ant in marshes, and that it is reputed to fight’ furiously with the Striped
snake. Prof. F. W. Putnam found in Massachusetts, on August 31, its-
eggs under the bark of an old stump. They were just ready to hatch
and one snake was already out. The eggs were an inch and a half long,.
and the young a little over 5 inches.
Genus PHYLLOPHILOPHIS, Garman.
Phyllophilophis, Garman, 1883, 13, 40; Leptophis, Bell, 1826, 120, 328 ;-
Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 106.
Body and tail very long and slender, and the body somewhat com-
pressed. Head distinct from the body. Loral present, small. One an-
teorbital. Postorbitals two. Nasal single, with the nostril in the center.
Eye large. Mouth-cleft deep. Scales keeled, except those of the outer
one or two rows; arranged in 17 rows. Anal plate divided.
This genus differs from Cyclophis only in having the scales keeled.
87
Phyllophilophis eestivus, (Liun.)-
Rough Green-snake.
Coluber cestivus, Linnzeus, 1766, 64, ed. xii, i, 387; Leptophis estivus,
Holbrook, 1842, 54, iv, 17, pl. 3; Baird & Girard, 1853, 6, 106; Phyllo-
philophis estivus, Garman, 1883, 73, 40.
Long and very slender; the tail whiplike, and constituting usually more
than a third of the total length. Head separated from the body by a
slender neck; narrow and high; swollen in the occipital region; the
snout projecting considerably over the lower jaw. Eyes large. Scales
keeled, except those of outer row and often some of the second row. Ven-
trals 150 to 165; subeaudals 110 to 135. The latter seldom as many as
70 per cent. of the ventrals.
Color grass-green above; below, greenish white. The green of the
upper surface fades somewhat on the lower rows of scales. In alcohol the
green changes to blue. The lower jaw and the upper labials are yellow-
ish white.
Maryland to Kansas, south to Florida and Mexico. Indiana localities :
New Harmony (Sampson’s coll.) ; Vigo and Parke counties (Nor. School
coll.) ; Dearborn county (A. W. Butler); Monroe county (Bollman) ;
Cloverdale, Putnam county (Test).
Hapsits.—This snake greatly resembles in general appearance and dis-
position the Smooth Green-snake. It may be distinguished readily from
the latter by its more slender form and by its keeled scales. It is equally
as harmless as the other snake, and makes no attempt to bite when taken
in the hands. It is given to climbing about on trees in search of the in-
sects and larve that constitute its food. I have taken it while thus
moving about on the branches of small trees. Of this species Holbrook
says: ‘‘ Perfectly harmless and gentle, easily domesticated, and takes
readily its food from the hand. I have seen it carried in the pocket or
twisted around the arm or neck as a plaything, without ever evincing
any disposition to mischief. In its wild state it lives among the branches.
of trees and shrubs, shooting with great velocity from bough to bough, in
pursuit of the insects which serve as its nourishment. Its green color,
similar to the leaves among which it lives, afford it protection against
those birds which prey upon it.”
Prof. Cope (22, vi, 309) says of one that he kept in confinement that
it manifested no disposition to climb over the ferns and plants among .
which it lived, but that it lived mostly underground. It had a habit of
projecting its head and two or three inches of its body above the ground
and holding itself for hours rigidly in a single attitude. In this position
it resembled very closely a sprout or shoot of some green succulent plant,
and might readily be mistaken for such by small animals.
88
Genus STORERIA, B. & G-
Storeria, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 135; Garman, 1883, 13, 29, in
part.
Serpents of small size. Head distinct from the body. Tail only of
moderate length. Crown-shields nine. No loral. One or two anteor-
‘bitals. Two or three postorbitals. Nasals two, with the nostril be-
tween. Scales keeled; arranged in fifteen or seventeen rows. Anal
plate divided.
Scales in seventeen rows. dekayi, p. 88.
Scales in fifteen rows. occipitomaculata, p. 89.
Storeria dekayi, (Holb.).
DeKays Snake.
Tropidonotus dekayi, Holbrook, 1842, 54, iii, 53, pl. xiv; Storeria dekayi,
Baird and Girard, 1855, 6, 185; Garman, 1883, 73, 31, pl. i. fig. 1.
Head somewhat larger than the neck, flat above, and rather high. Ros-
tral as high as wide. Snout projecting beyond the lower jaw. One an-
teorbital, high. No loral. Two, sometimes three, postorbitals. Upper la-
ibials seven; eye over third and fourth. Lower labials seven; fourth
and fifth large. Scales distinctly keeled; in seventeen rows. Ventrals
120 to 145; subcaudals 40 to 60. Tail one-fifth the total Jength.
The color of the upper surface is yellowish or reddish-ash, brownish-
olive, or even chestnut. The middle of the back with a paler, clay-col-
ored, dusky-edged band, three or four scales wide. On each side of this
wertebral band is a row of brown or black dots about the length of two
scales apart. These sometimes extend themselves and meet across the
dorsal stripe. Occasionally the dots, and sometimes the band itself, are
wanting. In such cases the color above is uniform. Below the dots
mentioned, other dots are occasionally seen. The color of the lower
surface is whitish or yellowish in alcoholic specimens, but in life the
color is often salmon or red. The ventrals with one or two dots of
brown at their outer ends. Plates of the head brownish, with some
minute dots. In highly colored specimens, there is a large brown spot
just behind the head on each side; another spot on side of head and
‘across the corner of the mouth, and a small blotch under the eye. The
Jength of grown examples is from twelve to fifteen inches.
Distribution from Maine to the Mississippi Valley, and south to the
Gulf and to Mexico. Probably occurring in every township in Indiana.
Known localities are: Wheatland ( Ridgway); Lebanon (Nat. Mus.) ;
IWew Harmony (Sampson’s coll.); Harrison county (specimens from
Sse
89
Prof. Hallett); Monroe county (Bollman); Irvington; Terre Haute
(Blatchley); Denver, Miami county, (Nor. Sch. coll.); Wabash
county ( Ulrey ); Franklin county ( Butler ).
The colors of this little serpent are such as harmonize well with its
usual surroundings, the soil and dead grass, leaves, and slender, broken
branches of trees. I have observed no evidences of its being aquatic,
but some observers make such statement. DeKay reports that all that
were seen by him were either in the water or in the vicinity of it. One
taken by him was swimming across a bay of Long Island Sound.
All that Holbrook has to say about it is that it frequents meadows and
places where the grass is of luxuriant growth, and feeds on various
insects, as crickets, grasshoppers, etc. They are ovoviviparous.
A female, taken at Cumberland Gap, Tenn., and in midsummer, con-
tained eleven eggs. The eggs were .37 inch by .25.
Storeria occipitomaculata, (Storer).
Storer’s Snake.
Tropidonotus oceipitomaculatus, Storer, 1839, 76, 230; Storeria occipito-
maculata, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 137; Garman, 1883, 13, 30, pl. 1,
fig. 2.
Averaging smaller in size than S. dekayi, which it resembles in propor-
tions and in coloration. Snout short and blunt. Anteorbitals 2. Pos-
torbitals 2. Nasals 2, with the nostril mostly in the anterior. No
loral. Upper labials 5 to 6, growing larger posteriorly, the eye over
third and fourth. Lower labials 6 or 7. Scales keeled; arranged in
fifteen rows. Ventral scales 117 to 128; subcaudals 48 to 50.
Color olive to reddish gray or chestnut brown. Along the back there
is a paler stripe about three scales wide, and this is usually edged with
dusky. Bordering the pale vertebral band and situated in the dusky
border in each side is a row of brown dots. The vertebral band and the
dots may all be faint or entirely absent. Often there is a yellowish stripe
on the lowest row of scales. Head like the body, but mottled with brown.
Behind the occipital plate is a spot of yellow, salmon in life, and a sim-
ilar spot on each side just behind the corner of the mouth. The fourth
and fifth labials with a small spot of similar color. Below, the color is
yellowish ; in life salmon or brick-red. The ends of the ventrals mottled
with dusky.
Length of grown specimens about one foot.
The territory occupied by this animal extends from Maine to Wiscon-
sin and south to Georgia and Texas. In Indiana it is doubtless to be
found everywhere. It has been collected at the following localities: New
90
Harmony (Sampson’s coll.) ; Montgomery county (A. W. Butler); Leb-
anon, Boone county (S. F. Baird); Irvington, where it is less common
than S. dekayi; Terre Haute (Blatchley).
I know little about the habits of this snake. Smith (28, 698) states
that they are somewhat nocturnal, and live chiefly under logs and stones.
They are in all probability ovoviviparous. In the stomach of a specimen
taken at Irvington I found a slug.
Genus COLUBER, Linn.
Coluber, Linnzeus, 1758, 64, ed. x, 216; Scotophis, Baird and Girard,
1853, 6,73; Hlaphis Garman, 1883, 13, 53.
Snakes attaining a large size. Head distinct from the body; rather
narrow and long. Crown-shields 9. Vertical broad. lLoral present.
Anteorbital 1, large. Postorbitals 2. Nasals 2, with the nostril be-
tween. Mouth deeply cleft, the outline nearly straight. Dorsal scales
keeled, except some of the lower rows, which may be smooth; arranged
in 23 to 29 rows. Anal plate divided. Ventral plates 200 to 240.
Subcaudals 63 to 95.
(In rare cases, especially specimens of C. guttatus, all the scales may be
smooth. ) ;
ANALYSIS OF THE SPECIES OF Coluber.
A. With longitudinal bands of brown. N.C. to Fla. quadrivittatus.
AA. Blotched above or uniform black.
a. Scales in 25 (rarely 25 or 27) rows; with chocolate blotches.
vulpinus, p. 90.
aa. Scales in 25 to 29 rows.
Seales in 27 rows; blotches red. guttatus, p. 92.
Seales in 27 (rarely 25 or 29) rows; upper surface nearly
uniform black, or grayish, with black blotches.
obsoletus, p. 93.
Scales in 29 rows; color ash-gray, with about 70 blotches of
brown. Kansas to Mexico. emoryt:
Coluber vulpinus, (B. & G.).
Fox-snake.
Scotophis vulpinus, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 75; Cooper, 1860, 20,
xii, pt. ii, 299, pl. 22. Elaphis guttatus var. vulpinus, Garman, 1883, 13,
56; Coluber vulpinus, Cope, 1875, 12, 39.
Form elongated and rather slender. Tail tapering, and forming
about one-fifth the total length, ending in a hard, straight spine. All
the cephalic plates behind the prefrontals large. Postfrontals bent down
‘ok
on the sides of the face. Vertical varying from narrower than long to
wider than long; shorter than distance from its anterior border to snout.
Upper labials 8 (rarely 7), eye over fourth and fifth; sixth and seventh
largest. Lower labials 10 or 11, the sixth largest.
Dorsal seales in 25 rows (rarely 25 or 27); the carination feeble, on
the outer rows and on the tail obsolete. Ventral plates 200 to 234.
Subcaudals 68 to 85.
This is a distinctly spotted serpent. The ground color above varies
from gray to brown and reddish, many of the scales having a broad edge
of cream color. There is a dorsal series of broad blotches of a brown or
chocolate color, and these are edged with black. These blotches, about
60 from head to tail, are from three to six scales long and extend down
on the sides to about the sixth row of scales. They are separated on the
back by two scales’ length. Alternating with these blotches is another
series on each side, situated on the third to the seventh rows of scales.
Below these is a third series, smaller and usually less distinct. They
alternate with those of the second series, and lie opposite the dorsal.
spots. Sometimes they lie on a level with the second series, but are
smaller. The under surface is yellowish, with large squarish blotches of
black. The head sometimes with a dark streak from the eye to the cor-
ner of the mouth, and another downward from the eye.
This snake may attain a total length of five feet, and even more. Its
geographical range appears to be altogether northern, from Michigan to
Minnesota and south to Southern Indiana. New Harmony (Sampson’s
coll.) ; Wheatland (R. Ridgway); Hamilton County (Hay). This last
mentioned specimen has 85 subcaudals.
This snake appears to be the northern representative of C. guttatus, a
species that is at home in the Southern States, but which also is found in
Indiana. By some authors, as Mr. Samuel Garman, vulpinus is regarded
as only a variety of guttatus. The latter may be recognized as a redder
snake, with fewer blotches along the back (about 45, instead of 60), and
with 27 rows of scales.
The Fox-snake appears to be moderately common in some localities. It
is often known as the ‘ Pilot-snake,” and is supposed to have some mys-
terious connection with the rattlesnake. It is a wholly innocent snake,
although,.as it seems, a little inclined to be pugnacious. Dr. Suckley
(20, xii, pt. ii, 300) states that one of these snakes was brought to him
alive at Ft. Snelling, Minn. When provoked it showed its irritation by
vibrating the tip of its slender tail, which, when striking a crumpled leaf
or any other small object, would produce a well-marked rattling noise,
very similar to that made by the rattlesnake under the same circumstan-
ces. Other observers make mention of the same habit.
Mr. Robert Ridgway, of the Smithsonian Institution, writes me that,
while hunting near Mt. Carmel, Il]., he came upon a Fox-snake over six
92
feet in length. It immediately showed a disposition to fight, and Mr.
Ridgway says that it was the most viciously pugnacious snake that he had
ever seen. An examination of the stomach showed that it had just
swallowed a half-grown rabbit. Its disposition appears to be in strong
contrast to that of C. obsoletus, which, so far as I have been able to learn,
is very gentle.
These snakes, being wholly harmless and subsisting on vermin of
warious kinds, ought to receive the protection of the farmer.
Coluber guttatus, Linn.
Spotted Coluber.
Coluber guttatus, Linnzeus, 1766, 64, ed. xii, i, 385; Holbrook, 1842,
54, iti, 65, pl. 14; Scotophis guttatus, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 78;
Elaphis guttatus, Garman, 1883, 73, 55, pl. iv, fig. 1.
Form elongated and somewhat compressed. Head narrow, tapering to
the rounded snout. ‘Tail about one-sixth the total length. Cephalic
plates not greatly different from those of C. vulpinus. The dorsal scales
disposed in 27 rows; rather feebly keeled, those of some of the outer rows
smooth. Ventral plates 214 to 236; subcaudals 63 to 79.
The ground color is light red, fading in alcohol to brownish yellow.
Along the back there is a series of about 40 blotches, or ‘‘ saddles”
(Cope), of dark red, each dark bordered. These blotches are somewhat
irregular and variable in form. They are from 4 to 6 scales in length.
Below this dorsal series on each side is another series of spots, alternately
larger and smaller. Of these, the larger alternate with the dorsal series.
All these send down prolongations to the belly. The lower surface is
checkered with black and yellow. Head red, with a band of dark red,
edged with black, running across the face, through the eyes, and to the
corners of the mouth, and on the sides of the neck; another narrower
band in front of this, and a third from the back of the head to the neck.
The size is about that of C. vulpinus.
Distributed from Virginia to Illinois, and south to the Gulf of Mex-
ico. It has been sent to the National Museum from Mt. Carmel, Illi-
nois. ‘This Mt. Carmel specimen has only twenty-six rows of scales.
Some Colubers in the collection of Mr. A. W. Butler, of Brookville, I
refer to this species. Another specimen, undoubtedly C. guttatus, is
said to have been taken in Putnam county, at Greencastle. It isa large
specimen, and has the characteristic head-bands. The scales are wholly
smooth.
Of this serpent, Holbrook remarks that it is commonly observed
about the roadsides early in the morning or at the dusk of evening;
93
unlike most snakes, concealing itself during the day. It is very gentle
and familiar, frequenting the neighborhood of settlements, and at times
entering houses. According to Catesby, it is a great robber of hen-
roosts. If so, it must take the young fowls, and possibly the eggs.
Coluber obsoletus, Say.
Alleghany Black-snake.
Coluber obsoletus, Say, 1823, 14, i, 140; Holbrook, 1842, 54, iii, 61,
pl. 12; Coluber alleghaniensis, Holbrook, 1842, 54, iii, 85, pl. 19; Scotophis
alleghaniensis, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 73; Elaphis obsoletus, Garman,
1883, 13, 54, pl. iv, fig. 2; Scotophis confinus, Baird and Girard, 1853,
6, 76.
‘A snake attaining a large size, of moderate slenderness, and with a tail
that forms a fifth of the total length. Head rather broad and the snout
blunt. Mouth large. Eye of medium size. Crown-shields 9; those
behind the prefrontals large. Postfrontals bent down on the face.
Rostral broad, and the snout projecting. Upper labials 8 (rarely 9) ;
6th and 7th largest. Lower labials 11; the 6th largest. Scales feebly
keeled ; some of the exterior rows smooth; disposed in 27 rows (in some
specimens, 25 rows*). Ventral plates 230 to 250; subcaudals 53 to 86.
Color varying from gray brown to pitch-black, sometimes with a tinge
of red. Often with numerous evident spots; sometimes the spots obso-
lete, as in our form, the typical obsoletus. In this, the general color is a
black with a bluish tinge, or a pitch-black, most pronounced on the pos-
terior portion of the body. The anterior half may be lighter, and show
evidences of blotches. The whole of this part may have a decided tinge
of red, this being due to the color of the skin between the scales; yet
the red may run up on the bases of the scales. Occasionally the spots
of the upper surface are of a decided red. The dorsal blotches extend
down on the sides to about the 7th row of scales, counting from the
lowest. They are about 6 scales long, and are separated by the length
of 2 scales. Alternating with these is another series which extend frome
the 5d to the 7th rows of scales. These spots are all feebly indicated
by the sulphur yellow of the skin between the scales; and often the
color is almost uniform black. There are some scales with yellow or
white edges. Lower jaw and throat white. The belly is of a slate-color
or black on the hinder half; anteriorly the black is mottled with yellow-
ish, which color becomes more and more abundant, until the throat and
chin are entirely yellowish. Small, or even half-grown, individuals may
have a ground color of ash-gray and numerous dark blotches.
*A specimen from Brookville, Indiana, which resembles in other respects C. obsoletua,-
has 29 rows of scales,
94
Coluber obsoletus confinis is common in the southern portion of the
United States. It has the scales in twenty-five, occasionally twenty-
seven, rows. ‘The ground color is ash gray, and there are about forty-
four elongated dorsal blotches of dark chocolate brown. Below these
blotches are two other series of elongated spots of a similar color. The
latter spots run together to form on each side, especially arteriorly, a
longitudinal stripe. Ventral plates about 240. A specimen of Coluber,
fourteen inches long, sent me from Terre Haute by Prof. Blatchley,
agrees in almost every respect with Baird and Girard’s description of
Scotophis confinis. It has, however, two temporal plates, instead of one,
as stated by Prof. Cope. It is undoubtedly the same form as two large
specimens before me, one from Georgia, the other from Mississippi.
The latter belong to Coluber spiloides. When the small specimen is
compared with other half-grown and adult specimens of C. obsoletus, they
appear to form an unbroken series from the very spotted young up to
the adults of uniform black. I conclude that C. spilcides is not more
than a variety of C. obsoletus, and C. confinis is probably an individual
variation with respect to its temporals.
Coluber obsoletus obsoletus ranges from southeast New York and the east-
ern base of the Alleghany Mountains to the plains, and south to North
Carolina and Texas. It probably occurs in all portions of our own
State. It has been taken in the following localities: Wheatland
(Ridgway); Franklin county, where it is common (Hughes and But-
ler); Monroe county (Ind. Univ. coll.); Jackson county (St. Nor.
Sch. coll.); Terre Haute (St. Nor. Sch. coll. and Prof. Blatchley) ;
Irvington (W. P. Hay). Three of the specimens examined, one taken
at Irvington, another taken in Jackson county, and a third from Terre
Haute, had only twenty-five rows of scales.
So far as Iam aware, this is entirely a forest-inhabiting species. Our
indistinctly spotted and almost jet black form is not distinguished by
most people from the Black-racer, although it is a very different snake.
The latter is a sienderer snake and has very smooth scales in only sey-
enteen rows.
Coluber obsoletus spends its time hiding about hollow logs and in holes
about standing trees. It often ascends trees in search of birds and
their young. Mr. Amos W. Butler, of Brookville, says that they are
the most destructive to birds of all our snakes. Besides birds, they no
doubt prey on mice, rats, rabbits and other small animals. The dispo-
sition of this serpent is gentle, and it makes little resistance when sur-
prised and seized by head and tail. It will open its mouth in an at-
tempt to bite, but struggles little. Under such circumstances a Racer
would make a lively disturbance. One put into a box with a mouse
sould strike at the latter whenever it showed too much familiarity, but
95
it was not harmed. In the stomach of one individual I found a number
of young mice; in another were two old and six young mice.
This species probably reaches a greater size than any other snake that
we have. Dr. Robert Ridgway tells me that he killed one at Mt. Car-
mel, Ill. which he estimated to be over nine feet long. It made no
resistance when attacked and was as easily killed as an ordinary snake
two or three feet long. This species has the habit, common with many
snakes, of vibrating its tail so as to make a rattling or whirring sound.
This probably serves to warn the larger animals of its presence, so that
they may avoid it.
Dr. G. B. Goode includes this snake among those which are said to
‘‘swallow” their young; that is, when danger threatens they open their
mouths, in order to allow the young to pass down the mother’s throat for
safety. More observations need to be made on this subject.
I have been able to find in print no observations on the breeding habits
of this snake. When and where are the eggs laid? How many of these
are there? How soon do they hatch? These are a few of the things
that many a farmer’s boy might be able to find out for us. Two indi-
viduals were taken at Fall Creek, Marion County, while in sexual union.
This was on June 19. The male was 5 ft. 3 in. long; the female was
6 ft. 3in. The female contained sixteen eggs. They have a thick cov-
ering, and must be Jaid before hatching. Prof. Blatchley writes (94, ’91,
31) that he kept one, 5 ft. 7 in. long, for sometime in confinement. It
would, on being disturbed, vibrate its tail in such a way as to make a
rattling sound. When the room was entered at night with a lamp the
snake would hiss with a loud, gurgling noise. A large Horned Owl, kept
in the same room, was attacked by the snake, tightly enveloped in its
-coils and so badly crushed that it soon died.
Maximilian (103, xxxii) has confirmed the popular notion that the
snake will eat fowls’ eggs. One entered his room, climbed to a vessel of
eggs, and swallowed a number of them. After the eggs had passed down
the throat the shells were crushed by a powerful constriction of the walls
-of the stomach.
Genus NATRIX, Laurenti.
Natriz, Laurenti, 1768, 109, 73; Tropidonotus, ‘* Kuhl, 1826, 77, 205”;
‘Cope, 1875, 12, 42; Garman, 1883, 13, 22; Nerodia and Regina, Baird
-and Girard, 1853, 6, 38, 45.
Form varying from stout to slender. Head distinct from the body.
‘Crown-shields 9. Loral present. Anteorbitals 1 or 2. Postorbitals
‘2 or 3. Nasals divided with the nostril between. Scales conspicuously
‘keeled; arranged in from 19 to 33 rows. Anal plate divided.
96
Kry To THe Species or Natriv in THE E. U. S., NorTH OF FLORIDA.
.
A. Colors arranged in lengthwise stripes; scales in 19-21 rows.
a. With a vertebral dark vitta; another on fifth row of scales ;
a pale stripe along the flanks, and two dark stripes on the
middle of the belly. leberis, p. 96.
aa. With a vertebral light band.
b.
De Rae. a) RAM
HU SRUTLUR cs stidacke..e
KE. sirtalis. . .
Farancia
fF. abacura.
Kiorida water-snake
Four-toed salamander . .
Mox=anakos fine la
oe, 0 Bs \e
WC. Cone
Sh) datos er
Page. Page7
«es 102) (Arber-6na Keir... slau en LO
. . . 156| Geographic terrapin 154
. . . 185] Glass-snake. =) oe 131
. . .159| Graham’s water-snake . _ 189
Ye OlcGnreenlirogy oi Levee eemoo!
a WelHB iGreen tritoties.. seen see 45
. . » 158 | Ground-snake. ..: . .-. Ta
a ae doo | GOyrinophilus esses ae ened to
. . . 185 | @. porphyriticus..... . 17u
Use GO) Haldeg ory Gaal a cae . . 18u
Tie Hi stiriatila) een ere 185
seen lve Helibenderke cane eee 12
. 187 | Hemidactylium...... 32
Oye) 268) SE sseutabunn.: mee do on ee 32
-168| Heterodon. ..... .: 5102
. . .137| H. platirhinos. .. . - 105
eek |inela SUNOS yee! nw, Coenen ren eel Oy
. 90| Hieroglyphic terrapin 152
. 92 og-nosed snake..... 10
. . . 93| Holbrook’s triton. . . 176
. . . 90) Hoosier frog. aa 6S
- 76| Hoosier salamander. . . 39
13) |Hom=snakeiy 60s). hone ane 79
26| House-snake ...... 107
Pie desueltace iene ay eet
. . .12L| H. carolinensis... ... 177
ts » 1S4Hy pickeringil. 2). ones 58
a) ese Oo pele VeErsicolor ie eae eee 56
S102, H. squirella Ut CEA eee 58
1285) Hivlidlse: | Jay 2) serene ee 52
. . .128| Iguanide . . Sey!
. 15|Jefferson’s salamander. . 22
A) ee cob li*oint-sna keene ls oie 134
. .. 15| Keeled mud-turtle . . . . 185
8b Kine-snakes ose ea tnsn. = 110
.. . 85|Kinosternide....... ey
. 88 | Kinosternon. E 154
42|K.pennsylvanicum. . . . 154
Nien sg) Tacertiliar ss ele aes ovens 131
| . » 43 | leather-snake. :... . : 96
5. . St) Leopardstrogis 2a ce eye 65
. . . 84] Lesueur’s map-tortoise. . 165
1Ote| hizarndeiee . Sae : O SS 131
... 45/ Long-tailed triton . |. 38
EM eee 40! | My PORO MIE ieere Late lee oe 138
154) |) aS lateraletarose, wes. sien 139
. - . 121} Macroclemys . . . 151
So, o lZDMiitemminekin =. . sie 151
areaaulelsl Malaglemipsh o: = ores S.e 164
. 170 | M. geographica avo 5h LOO
. . .170| M. pseudogeographica . . 165
. 139 | Marbled salamander . . . 29
op or LO Mase e apa S Seey a ieee re 126
Pia lile.|( Man terrapin ©. oii. 2c 166
Jo.e 20) | Mialk-snake: . . 220 . 107
ot epee ot WMO ORREN, ous sot thy feta tanta 184
. . -113| Mole salamander. . 174
Se 7 Me ell.8)S 202 estes 8
VO Mosk turtle. veoc cae 153
EDEN MINE) hy b. Cena eee Son 95
IST CYOLODLOMG. «eee 181
S2iNe grahami. © ticle 181
SON. Kirtland «si van see 97
Page. Page. y Page,
Matrix leberiss .' 5.01 « js O65 i Re pIplensiajys bees ny leeks 65|S.longicaudus.... ..
N.rhombifera ......101] R.septentrionalis ....177/S8. cer di hg RAN chs 39
IIQTOR xs sacha) ete 180} Roaeylvatida-. ots. 2s LS. xuberie evs a's “> ko eae
INARIDOGON! oo Site te es. OS RAMS te + Meas? cue aie 64 Spotted coluber . me yrie) eae 92
Neat terrapin... ...'.. 159 | Rattlesnake, Banded . . 128 Spreading VIPOToae tans 102
INSCUUTUSU SS ote. aie. se os 10 | Rattlesnake, Prairie . . .126| Squirrel tree-frog. .... 58
Niemachlatas’ <6... 10 | Red-backed salamander . 33| Stiff-snake ........ 180
ONOWES ame pe erin) valle va tence 45 | Red-headed lizard .. . .140|Storeria. .......... 88 ae
Northern frog. ..... .177| Red-linedsnake ..... 179)! S.idekaya(c))Ua ko ee ieee 88
Ophibolus. .. . Ta OPAC ORLYACOLNe Mem emanic is a) SEBS occipitomaculata, ee its!)
Oxdalligaster: ox. b 6 sak IS2Reptilest-cme suc.) so iy iets 74 | Storer’s snake’). :). )<.5 89 '
Oidolietus sien fiers: ph 107 | Ribbon-snake...... . 113 | Streaked snake. ..... 184 aa
O.dol.triangulus ... .108| Ring-necked snake. ... 84|/Swampfrog........ 67 7
ONdGol Syspilns . keke} 5 108 | Salamandride ..... 44 Sward-tavied salamander, se ;
OPO sot e ips 3 LO} Saltentigaa st) ec. 5 «2 148), Detidencs’s 1 eee 136
OUTLINE SEU as URE a Ue 75|Salmontriton....... 175 | 'Lestudinata. .... 2 4s
OPAGSDUTU Rul) cick Gh lous ic is 1347) Sasd-Vainer (ise. ae vais sc 105.) Vestudinides) 2) senna 155
O. ventralis. ...... .1384|Scaly salamander..... 32 | Tiger salamander..... 23
Ornate box-tortoise. . . . 187 BCClLOPOTUS cae eS al shete 132 || Loads. 5). u ge Pala bee 50
Painted tortoise, Fastern .185|S: undulatus ......«. 132) Tortoises uvicti. scene 142
Painted tortoise, Western .163|Scincide ......... 138!) Trionychidee!< Sys: = sous 142
Phyllophilophis...... SOM SIRS fy.s seeiet oli aah eee 8| Trionychoidea.... . . 142
PP SEOSULW TS ks Fis Gede eh cdicivars-s Tals LAGOTtrNaiae eect, cater Gea Si iniony x 0)". habe eae eee 143
Pickering’s tree-frog ... 58|Sirenide ......... SLL OA eA SSLAe se weno ane 144
Pin ONBMAKOlys Sacre) erates? iL ISSWiSISSLUTUs, 2 eke e ~ ov, bed) eRe anatieugs < cc le ene 143
Pine-treelizard...... 132) 8 eatenatus.. «00 abek a T26i ck spiniferuss sates euepheene 146
IPSCRGDNIS) 6 ol 2ee et iees be . .182' Spotted salamander ... 27] Tropidoclonium .... . 183
P.melanoleucus ..... 183 | Six-lined lizard...... 137) Cealineatumal ois eaele acne 184
PER MIe tenses Paes hones 183) Slimiy salamander... 21+) 50.| Qurtles vellclee sc ln sees 142
Plethodon......... 33] Small-mouthedsal’mand’r 19| Two-lined triton .. . 40
Pe DPHOUS I. es sais . .175 | Smooth green-snake ... 8|Urodela.......-.... 6
IACIMPREUS!). 4. W ahi e es 6 So)! TONGUES! | tere Pebtittell te eteUe 75 | Valeria’s snake... ... 179
IPSLPLULIOSUS) <1: 24.. vcoe ie 36 | Snapping turtle. ..... 149)) Mainginvasse soc se eyo eens 80
Plethodontide ...... 31| Soft- ‘Shelled turtle, Agas- WV Gleransicic.m oo, encmenne 80
IBROCELOSOPiemen sitet ley ke kee fe 1 At Gee ee a 44.) Vicerslerigoy .. > shteec ane 179
Racine garter-snake . . . 115 Soft stele turtle, spine- Virginia’ssnake. .... 80
Wig srye Pen. Tous Rifas OSS LOBE: he SemtNe On ci mre ni 143 | Water-moceasin. ..... 184
R. areolata circulosa | . 68 Soft whelied turtle, apiny:. aa Water-snake! oii, pee 98
R. cantabrigensis. . . 178 | Speckled tortoise... . Wieodctrogi te Dicken. meee 71
Ranaicatesbiana, 2.15... 70/Spelerpes so) 5. fun Seta. a Wonm-sn ake a oe aene 178
Foam ataiourcp et oho kN 69 NS. bislineatus 225) de0, 63. 40
FU SIUS ULSI orci be ais be be 6715.guttolineatus. .... .176
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