SALAMANDRINAE 



125 



female. The male then at intervals emits spermatophores, 

 which sink to the bottom, and the female takes them up into its 

 cloaca. For further information see p. 54. 



Triton cristatus. — The Crested Newt has a slightly tubercular 

 skin with distinct pores on the head, on the parotoid region and 

 on a line along the side of the trunk. There is a strong gular 

 fold. The general colour above is dark or black-brown with an 

 olive tinge, interspersed with darker spots ; the sides of the 

 body bear irregular white spots. The under parts are yellow, 

 almost always with large black spots. The iris is golden yellow. — 

 The nuptial dress of the male is verv striking. A high, serrated 



Fig. 23. — Triton cristatus. 1, Female; 2, male in nuptial dress, x g. 



crest occurs on the head and body ; the upper surface of the head 

 is marbled with black and white ; the under parts are orange- 

 yellow with black spots, and the sides of the tail are adorned 

 with a bluish-white band. — The female, always devoid of a crest, 

 generally exhibits a yellow line along the middle of the back. 

 — The average length of fully adult specimens is about 5-6 

 inches or 13-15 cm.; the females are as usual larger than the 

 males: 144 and 162 mm, for an English male and female 

 respectively are exceptional records. 



Propagation takes place in April. The newly hatched larvae 

 are yellowish-green, with two black dorsal bands, and with a 

 whitish edge to the tail-fin. By the middle of July they are 

 about 5 cm. long, and the white-margined tail now ends in a 



