On the Occurrence of the Palmate Newt near Stroud. 
By C. A. Wircnett. Read by KH. WitcHeix, March, 1884. 
In a paper by the late Joun Jones, which will be found in 
Vol. III. of the “ Transactions,” page 157, is a list of the 
reptilia of this county, in which the Palmate Newt Lissotriton 
palmifies is mentioned on the authority of Mr Baxer, of 
Bridgwater, as occurring in the county of Somerset; but was 
totally unknown to Mr Jonszs, and he mentioned it “to call 
attention to its existence, and to stimulate observation on the 
part of other members, in order to render our list as perfect as 
possible.” 
More than ten years ago I found the Palmate Newt in 
the ponds near Stroud. It was plentiful in all the smaller 
ponds, and much more abundant than the common smooth 
Newt; and on one occasion a bucketful of these Newts was 
brought to me from a brickyard pool. 
It would be interesting to know if Mr Jones had searched 
for the Palmate Newt near Stroud and had not found it; 
but had found the common Newt, because it would go far to 
show that the one was increasing and the other disappearing. 
It is said by some Naturalists that the Palmate Newt is a 
variety of the Common Smooth Newt, Lissotriton punctatus ; 
but the differences are considerable. They are: (1) shape of 
the hind feet, those of the male Palmate being black and 
completely webbed during the breeding season, the common 
Newt having always distinct toes. (2) In the shape of the 
tail, that of the male Palmate ending abruptly with a filament 
about } of an inch long, projecting from the end; while the 
tail of the Smooth Newt tapers evenly to a point. (3) In the 
crest, which is not so high as in the Common Newt. (4) In 
size, the Palmate being the smallest English Newt known. 
