266 BATRACHIA. 



originating on the muzzle and reaching to the hind-legs, as 

 in some Frogs. In the spring the hind- toes of the male 

 are palmated nearly to their extremities, and the tail is lan- 

 ceolate, with thin edges above and below, ending in a 

 thread-Hke point. In the female this part is nearly round 

 at all seasons, and becomes so in the male after the breed- 

 ing is over. The colour of the upper parts of the body in 

 that sex is olive-brown or greenish with dark spots ; on 

 the side of the tail is a wide band of yellowish white edged 

 with round black specks ; the belly is yellow, with a few 

 scattered dark specks. The general colour of the female is 

 lighter and less bright. 



Entire length, 2i inches. 



The sexes differ so much in the spring as to have led to 

 the supposition that they were of distinct species, and the 

 female has been described as T. ahdominal'is. When squeezed, 

 emits a disagreeable musky odour. 



Said to be the most common Newt around Paris. Occurs 

 in many parts of Germany, near Vienna and elsewhere. 

 Is common in the South of France, but rare in Switzerland. 

 In Italy, has been found near Eome with T. Carnifex, and 

 about Pisa. If it is the T. palmipes of BeU, it is rare, and 

 local in England, and possibly is the variety mentioned by 

 W. Thompson as occurring in parts of the West of Ireland. 



Triton Rusconii. 



Euproctus Busconii, Dum. et Bib. vol. ix. p. 158; Sciiinz, Eiu'op. Faun, 

 vol. ii. p. 65 ; Buon. Faun. Ital. (figured). 



Desceiption. — This species has been separated from the 

 genus Triton by several authors, chiefly because its tongue 

 is free behind as well as on its edges, instead of on these 

 only. M. Dumeril, however, does not attach much value 

 to this distinction. The head, according to Prince Buona- 

 parte, is as long as half the body, rounded in front, de- 



