X5f> 0UR REPTILES. 



The distinguishing features of this species are, 

 besides belonging to the smoothed-skinned section, 

 that there is a prominent line running down on each 

 side of the back from the nose to the hind legs. The 

 crest, or fin, along the back and tail is highest on 

 the tail. The toes of the male are united and com- 

 pletely webbed. The upper part of the body of the 

 male is olive-brown or greenish, with dark spots, with 

 a wide band of yellowish white, bordered with round 

 spots, on the side of the tail; and the belly is 

 yellow, with a few darker spots. The female is 

 lighter coloured, and differs so much in general ap- 

 pearance in the spring that it has been described as 

 a distinct species. 



Mr. Higginbottom thus summarizes the charac- 

 teristics of this species : — 



1st. Tail suddenly truncate before the apex, and 

 terminating in a slender filament three lines in 

 length. 



2nd. Hind feet perfectly palmate, all the toes 

 united by a membrane. 



3rd. The dorsal crest small and simple. 



4th. Size much smaller than the smooth newt 

 (Lophinus punctatus). 



I have fully ascertained the changes when the 

 breeding season is over. The slender filament 

 is absorbed, and the truncated portion of tail 

 becomes obtusely rounded off, with a slight in- 



