146 SALAMANDRADA. 
membranous crest and enlargement of the caudal web, 
which had distinguished them during the spring. The 
colours also of both sexes become more dull, and the male 
especially loses in a measure the bright and pleasing tints 
which characterize him during that season. The red tips 
to the crenations of the crest and tail are of course no 
longer seen as these parts become absorbed ; but the colour 
of the body is also more obscure, and the spots less dis- 
tinct ; the belly, which has been of a bright orange passing 
into red, is now paler and less vivid. 
It is probable that the period at which the young lose 
their branchize varies in some degree according to cireum- 
stances connected with temperature, food, and other causes; 
as they are sometimes taken with the branchie still re- 
maining on them, when conspicuously larger than other 
