British Amphibians : Newts 



these dull spots. The tail has a bluish stripe along 

 the side in the male, with the lower edge red, while in 

 the case of the female the latter is orange. In keep- 

 ing with other Newts, the female is the larger of the 

 sexes. A rather distinctive feature of the Palmated 

 species is the flattened back with its raised lateral lines 

 across the eyes, and extending the entire length of the 

 body. Added to this is the finely formed crest that 

 starts from the back of the neck and continues almost 

 the whole length of the body. 



Water-logged pastures where the ground retains the 

 moisture all the year round are favourite haunts of the 

 Palmated Newt. On one of these old commons the 

 writer has seen as many as a dozen fished out during a 

 few hours. In some parts of the country a common 

 pasturage for the village cows is yet an institution, the 

 cattle being placed under the care of a herd-boy, who 

 tends them while at pasture, and brings them home at 

 stated intervals during the day. This practice of rural 

 co-partnery is gradually dying out, but at one time it 

 was one of the most picturesque features of rural life. 

 These commons were never touched by the plough, 

 but carried natural grasses year after year. The earth 

 consequently took on a crust it would not do other- 

 wise, and in the hollow places water stood many inches 

 deep throughout even the driest summer. 



In the morning the herd-boy leisurely strolled down 

 the village street, blowing a rude horn, to warn the 

 natives that they must unbind their live-stock. As he 



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