THE BIOLOGY OF THE RED-BACKED SALAMANDER (PLETHODON CINEREUS ERYTHRONOTUS GREEN). M. ETHEL COCHRAN. DISTRIBUTION. Baird says, "Species of the genus Plethodon are found all across the North American continent." Boulenger makes the range of the subfamily Plethodontinfe North America, with possibly one species in the valley of the Rio de le Plata. Of the subfamily Plethodontinse, Gadow states that it "is almost entirely American (with one species, Spelerpes fnscus, in Europe)," while Holmes says that "the Plethodontinse form a large group which is mainly confined to America." In the last edition of his "Manual," Jordan gives the range of the family as "chiefly North America." The "red-backed" salamander (Plethodon cinereus erythronotus Green) belongs to the Plethodontinae and according to Jordan is confined to the eastern United States. Gadow says, "Ple-thodon erythronotus extends into Canada," while Boulenger would have it range in the eastern United States and Canada. Cope claims the species Plethodon cinereus, including all varieties, has an extreme range, being "found throughout the United States, east of the Mississippi River. It appears to be more abundant in the Middle States; its northern range is to the middle of Maine, Ontario and Michigan." Kingsley says it is the "most abundant salamander in the eastern United States." Throughout Worcester County, Mass., this little salamander has proved very abundant. It is not an uncommon thing to find twenty or more during a short afternoon's walk. Every little wood has its dainty, shy, inhabitants who so easily may be overlooked. HABITAT. The tiny creatures are not visible to the casual observer, for on bright days they are always concealed beneath stones or fallen logs. Holmes says they are in damp situations under rocks or 332
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