The habits of these creatures are in many respects peculiar. Van Denburgh[51] says of _A. iecanus_ "that it usually moves quite slowly, moving one foot at a time, but is capable of motion surprisingly rapid for a salamander. When moving rapidly, it aids the action of its legs by a sinuous movement of its whole body and tail. The latter is prehensile. Several individuals, when held with their heads down, coiled their tails around my finger, and, when the original hold was released, sustained themselves for some time by this means alone. One even raised itself high enough to secure a foothold. This animal's tail is also of use in another way. When caught, it will often remain motionless, but if touched, will either run a short distance with great speed, or quickly raising its tail and striking it forcibly against the surface on which it rests, and accompanying this with a quick motion of its hind-limbs, will jump from four to six inches, rising as high as two or three." Ritter and Miller[52] have made extensive observations on the life-history of _A. lugubris_. When wishing to pass from the hand to {108}the table, the creature will frequently execute a well co-ordinated spring and alight on its feet some distance away, instead of falling over the edge in the typical salamander-fashion. This species is nocturnal and entirely terrestrial, and seems to be indifferent even to proximity to water. Rotten stumps and logs are the habitations preferred, and wherever these occur in the region about San Francisco Bay, even though at the places remotest from water, specimens are sure to be found.