NEWTS. 381 
scarcely distinct in the female. Skin smooth, or nearly so; head 
with distinct series of pores; gular fold generally distinct, upper 
parts brown or olive, with small darker spots; head with longi- 
tudinal dark streaks, the outer (those passing through the eyes) 
being constant; in the male the head is minutely speckled with 
dark brown, and the dorsal and upper caudal crest and feet are 
blackish ; lower surfaces not coloured, except the medium zone 
of the belly, which is orange; a few small blackish dots are 
generally scattered on the belly ; inferior caudal crest immacu- 
late, orange in the female, bluish-grey in the male ; a series of spots, 
sometimes confluent, along the upper and lower border of the tail.” 
(From Mr. Boulenger’s Catalogue of the Batrachia Gradientia). 
Before the winter the tail of the male of J. palmata has lost 
its filament and has become slightly rounded. The webbing 
of the toes has also been absorbed, and the crest has almost 
entirely disappeared. 
As there is a likelihood of MZ. vulgaris and M. palmata being 
confounded by the novice in Batrachian matters, I give the com- 
parison of the two species, as drawn up by M. Derby and quoted 
by Dr. Cooke, in ‘‘ Our Reptiles Batrachians.”’ 
M. vulgaris. 
1. Tail generally tapering to 
a point. 
2. Hind feet having the toes 
free, only edged by a membrane. 
3. Back with a very large 
festooned, undulating crest, 
which extends from the nape of 
the neck to the end of the tail. 
No lateral elevated ridges. 
4. Length much greater than 
M. palmata, 
M. palmata. 
1, Tail suddenly truncate be- 
fore the apex, and terminating 
in a slender filament three lines 
in length. 
2. Hind feet perfectly _ pal- 
mate, all the toes united by a 
membrane. 
3. Back flattened, with two 
elevated lateral lines passing 
above the eyes, and extending 
to the base of the tail. The 
dorsal crest small and simple. 
4. Size much smaller than 
M. vulgaris. 
The Palmate Newt is about 3in. in length when fully grown. 
During the season it may be bought for a few pence of dealers 
in aquarium and vivarium requisites. 
