” 
174 Mr. G. A. Boulenger on 
doubts as to certain alleged facts which it seems almost 
impossible to control, I now propose to contrast some of that 
author’s statements on the breeding-habits of Alytes with my 
own observations on this remarkable batrachian, of which I 
think I may claim’ to have some experience. ‘There are so 
many points in Kammerer’s accounts which conflict with 
what I have myself repeatedly observed that it may be well 
to draw attention to some at least, and to submit them to the 
consideration of biologists who might wish to form their own 
opinion, such cases being selected as may be tested without 
spending years in experiments—a condition which, as in the 
well-known instance of the spotted salamander, must surely 
deter almost anyone from attempting to take up the subject. 
Kammerer has already observed, in reply to criticisms, 
that specimens compelled to behave under highly abnormal 
conditions, such as he has devised, and such as very few will 
ever havethe skill and patience or find the time to repeat, 
cannot be expected to conform to the rule in the natural 
state; but I think most of the discrepancies I have pointed 
out in this paper do not admit of such an explanation. The 
facts on which I rely are derived from observations made in 
France and in Belgium, but I cannot believe for a moment 
that Westphalian and Swiss specimens, on which Kammerer’s ~ 
statements are based, should have habits so different as to 
account for these discrepancies. 
From the days of Demours*, who first observed part of 
the parturition of the midwife toad, and gave a very incom- 
plete and incorrect account of the operation, up to Kammerer’s 
observations, only A. de l’Isle tT, whom I have been able to 
confirm on all important points}, and Héron Royer§ have 
described this complicated.and wonderful act without recourse 
kommen der nicht brutpflegenden Alytes obstetricans,” op. cit. xxviii. 
1909, p. 447. 
3. ‘ Die Abstammungslehre ’ (Jena, 1911), p. 93. 
4, “Mendelsche Regen und Vererburg erworbener Eigenschaften,” 
Verh. Naturf. Ver. Briinn, xlix. 1911, p. 73. 
5. “ Bemerkungen zum Laichgeschaift und der Brutpflege bei der 
Geburtshelferkrote,” Bl. Aq. Terr. K. xxv. 1914, p. 250. 
These contributions are referred to under the above numbers. 
* Hist. Ac, Se. 1741, p. 28, and Mém. Ac. Sc, 1778, p. 18. 
+ Ann. Se. Nat. (3) xx. 1876, no. 7. 
¢ Bull. Ac. Belg. 1912, p. 570, pl. —.. Since the publication of this 
paper I have observed the breeding of Alytes four times, from beginning 
to end. 
§ Bull. Soc. Zool. France, xi, 1886, p. 675. 
Se 
