SALAMANDER, salamandra, a genus of batrachians, of the family to which newts (q.v.) also belong. The name is, indeed, sometimes extended to the family; newts being called aquatic salamanders, and the name tentstrial salamander being given to this genus, the species of which inhabit water only in their tadpole state, and return to it only to deposit their eggs, generals' living in moist places, as user stones, roots of trees, etc. The general form is very similar to that of newts, but the tail is round, not flat us in newts. Several species arc found in Europe; none of them, however, in Britain. The SPOTTED SALAMANDER (S. niacuitisa). 6 or 8 in. long, black, iwith bright yellow stripes on its sides, and livid blue beneath, is widely spread through 'out Europe. The BLACK SALAMANDER (S. atra) is much smaller, black, the body and tail ringed, the tail almost as if formed of beads. It is abundant in the Alps and moult tains of southern Germany. Other species are found in Spain, It+ily, etc.; Asia and
North America also produce numerous species. Salamanders feed on worms, slugs, snails, and insects. They are inert and sluggish creatures, and timid to the utmost extent that their stupidity permits. The brain is very small. They are perfectly harm less, although exuding, when alarmed, from pores on the back and sides, a milky humor, which is injurious to very small animals. But they have long had, and still retain, a popular reputation of extreme venomouSness, and are therefore objects of the Utmost dread to the vulgar in almost all countries which they inhabit. fables •Itave been current concerning them from remote ages, particularly concerning fhe icy cold which envelops their body, and enables them not only to endure fire without burn Big. but to extinguish fire. Pliny, indeed, records that he tried the experiment, and the poor salamander was burned to powder; yet the fable continued to be credited until very recent times.