Changes of Plumage in the Red Grouse. 61 
I therefore conclude that the hemal arch is not homo- 
logous throughout the Vertebrata, as it may be formed by the 
ribs alone (Amia), by the parapophyses or parapophyses and 
ribs (Teleoste’), or by mere ventral processes of the centra or 
intercentra ; that the “ heemapophysis,” as an element, does 
not exist; and that the interpretation I have given to the 
chevrons of Reptiles is correct. 
XVII.—On the Tadpole of Pelobates syriacus, Boettger. 
By G. A. BOULENGER. 
AMONG some Batrachians from Syria which their collector, 
Professor J. Barrois, has kindly sent me, were four large 
tadpoles, which I should have pronounced as of Pelobates 
fuscus, were it not for the locality whence they were pro- 
cured—the immediate environs of Damascus. Now, the 
Pelobates of Syria which, in its perfect condition, stands 
much nearer to P. cultripes than to P. fuscus, has recently 
been described by Dr. Boettger under the name of P. syriacus ; 
and I therefore feel justified in applying that name to these 
tadpoles, although I am unable to point out any character of 
importance by which they are to be distinguished from the 
common species, P. fuscus. 
The nostrils are equally distant from the eyes and the 
end of the snout; the distance between them equals one half 
the interocular width, which equals once and a half to once 
and two thirds the width of the mouth. ‘The tail is nearly 
thrice as long as deep, acutely pointed, once and two thirds 
to twice the length of the body. The beak and lips agree 
entirely with P. fuscus. 
The largest specimen measures 120 millim. Length of 
body 42, width of body 25; length of tail 78, depth of tail 28. 
I may add that I have received from Prof. R. Collett a 
young specimen of P. syriacus, stated to be from Smyrna. 
XVIII.— Notes on the Changes of Plumage in the Red Grouse 
(Lagopus scoticus). By W. R. OGILvie Grant. 
So many books have been written on British Birds that it 
seems curious any new facts regarding the sexual differences 
or changes of plumage in our common species should still 
remain unrecorded or only imperfectly described. 
Some time ago, in two articles published in the columns of 
