Miscellaneous. 339 
body and of various parts. It is scarcely necessary for me to point 
out that differences of this kind, although easy to see, are sometimes 
difficult to express in words. 
It is true that in the males of Molge the specific characters, espe- 
cially at the breeding-season, are considerably more prominent than 
in the females; moreover, they catch the least practised eye, and I 
readily admit that it is extremely difficult to escape from the beaten 
path of many systematists and to strike out a new way in order to 
preserve the conception of the species. The fact is that the males 
of Molge possess a pronounced tendency towards variation, and that 
this inclination expresses itself especially in the development of their 
nuptial characteristics ; while the females exhibit isolated instances 
of variability, in general possess a limited capacity for seasonal 
variation, rather incline to the preservation intact of their primitive 
characters, and in consequence of this, moreover, check rather than 
facilitate the development of the specific type. 
Cases of dimorphism in the one sex are known in our species of 
Molge. Molge vulgaris, L., and var. orientalis vel meridionalis are 
forms which are distinguished solely by the difference in the nuptial 
equipment of the males; and it almost appears that in the case of 
the males modifications of the nuptial dress occasion the dimorphism 
of that sex, and that this dimorphism may lead to the formation of 
two species. On the one hand a nuptial dress, a tendency of the 
males to vary, and a dimorphism of the male sex in the spring give 
rise to specific characters which are obvious, although sometimes 
temporary, while on the other a want of special nuptial characters 
and an absence of the impulse which leads to variation produce 
females which remain almost alike and of similar aspect. Owing to 
this circumstance the attempt to draw up a series of characters 
which shall be really serviceable, permanent, and common to both 
sexes is fraught with unusual difficulty. 
The following table will perhaps induce those who are interested 
in the subject to take up for themselves the question which has been 
raised and to lend us their aid and advice. It is absolutely neces- 
sary that we should at last be able to satisfy ourselves as to the 
reasons why this post nuptias male must be called Molge Boscai rather 
than M. Montandoni and why that female is termed 1. palmata. 
Table for the Deternination of the Species. 
I. The strongly developed process of the frontal 
unites with the squamosal or its anterior 
process, and constitutes an ossified, or partly 
cartilaginous, partly bony, arch bridging over 
the orbit. 
A. An unpaired septum cartilagineum nasi arises 
from the ethmoidal plate, and extends as far 
as the inferior opening of the cavum inter- 
nasale. 
Vomero-palatine rows of teeth extend- 
ing beyond the choane anteriorly. M. Waitli, Michah. 
Vomero-palatine rows of teeth not 
extending beyond the choane.... M. aspera, Dugés. 
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