158 REPTILES. BATRACHIA. Rana. 



Tail compressed, deep, ending in a somewhat blunt point. A thin narrow 

 web extends from the snout along the back (where it is notched), and upper 

 and under edges of the tail, to the vent — This species is probably the " L. 

 terrestris vulgaris ventre nigro maculata" of Ray (Quad. 264), though inserted 

 as a variety of L. agilis. It is more frequently found in marshes, and out of 

 the water, than the following. 



7. T. aquaticus. Water Eft. — Skin soft, nearly smooth. 

 Back greenish-brown, with dusky stripes. Belly orange, with 

 dusky spots. 



Lacerta aq. Sibb. Scot. 13 — Salamandra aq. Ray, Syn. Quad. 273 — La- 



certa aq. Linn. Syst. i. 370 L. maculata, Shepp. Linn. Trans, vii. 53. 



In ponds, especially of stagnant water. 



Length about 4 inches. Head depressed, with two lines of black dots. 

 Sides spotted with brownish-black lines. Tail compressed, not so deep as in 

 the preceding species, and tapers to a finer point. A similar web along the 

 back, decreasing in size after the season of love — This species is probably the 

 Salamandra exigua, as the former seems to be the S. platycauda of Rusconi, 

 an abridgment of whose curious observations on the metamorphoses of these 

 animals is given in the Edin. Phil. Journ. N° xvii. 



8. T. vulgaris. Brown Eft. — Above yellowish-brown, with 

 dark spots and lines. Beneath red, with black dots. 



Lacerta vulgaris, Sibb. Scot. 13 — Linn. Syst. i. 370 — Brown Lizard, 

 Penn. Brit. Zool. iii. 24. Shepp. Lin. Trans, vii. 52 — Inhabits under 

 stones in old walls and rubbish. 

 " Head compressed ; upper part yellow-brown, marked with minute dark- 

 brown spots ; on the forehead, of some, is a large dark spot ; under part yel- 

 lowish-white. Upper eye-lids dark-brown ; lower ones dull yellow. Back yel- 

 low-brown, with minute darker spots ; two deep-brown lines reach from the 

 head to the end of the tail. Belly and under part of the tail red, with a few 

 black dots. Tail, sides ribbed with dark -brown. Feet without nails ; fore-feet 

 with four, and the hind ones with five toes. Length 4 inches."— Sheppard. 

 The same observer adds, " L. vul. I have seen of all sizes, from one to four 

 inches in length, but never in any other than a perfect state, — a sufficient 

 proof that, like the rest of the land lizards, it undergoes no change ; and that 

 it is perfectly distinct from L. palustris and maculata, both of which attain to 

 their full growth in the larva state." Should this species really prove to be 

 ovoviviparous, it will probably exhibit other characters by which it may be 

 separated from the aquatic species with which it is provisionally joined. Its 

 history, however, is still involved in obscurity, and is, by many, considered 

 as identical with Triton aquaticus. 



Gen. VI. RANA. Frog. — Jaws and palate with teeth. Toes 



simple. 



9. R. temporar'ia. Common Frog. — A black spot on each 

 side of the head. 



Rana, Sibb. Scot. 13.— R. aquatica, Ray, Syn. Quad. 247-— R. temp. 



Linn. Syst. i. 357- Penn. Brit. Zool. iii. 9 — S, Paddock ; W, Llyffant 



melyn — Common. 



This common species, which requires no description, breeds earlier in the 



season than other species of the tribe. The eggs are laid in clusters in shallow 



