THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF REPTILES. 53 



essential, in order to prevent their untimely appearance 

 about the house, that the aquarium should be covered 

 over ; but it must not be covered over in such a way 

 as to prevent the free entrance of fresh air. 



The photography of the batrachians presents 

 almost as much- difficulty as that of the newts, for no 

 series of illustrations of their life history can be con- 

 sidered complete which does not include the aquatic 

 tadpole stage. Nor can the frogs and toads be 

 considered easy subjects to deal with out of the 

 water. It is easy enough to take a photograph of 

 either reptile, but it is not easy to take one which will 

 show the sitter amid natural surroundings and in a 

 characteristic attitude. The majority of toad photo- 

 graphs published show a full-faced likeness of the 

 subject. The position is a bad one for any four-legged 

 creature, but more especially so for the batrachians 

 whose distinctive "points" are thereby completely 

 concealed. 



As with the newts, we find three indigenous 

 British varieties the natterjack toad, the common 

 toad, and the -common frog. The latter two of these 

 need no introduction. The natterjack is distinguished 

 by a yellow stripe down the centre of his back and the 

 absence of webbing on his hind feet. From the latter 

 fact it may be concluded that he is less aquatic in his 

 habits than the common variety. It has already been 

 pointed out that a good photograph of the natterjack 

 should display both these external features, and should 

 also suggest his peculiar running method of progression. 



