British Reptiles and Amphibians 



to hibernate in the cold of winter, when the circulation 

 of their blood is very slack. 



Thus springtime sees the Smooth Newt active once 

 more, and if the weather be congenial, this awakening 

 is generally in March or April. Once abroad, the 

 male assumes its crest, and this extends from head to 

 tail. The spring coloration is more pronounced than 

 that of other seasons of the year. The colours of the 

 female are less pronounced. 



The Smooth Newt attains a length of from 3 to 

 4 inches. 



THE PALMATED NEWT (Molge palmata, Plate XII.). 



Evidently this species is more widely distributed 

 throughout Britain than is commonly surmised. It is 

 found in Scotland, and, like all other Newts, irrespec- 

 tive of species, is spoken of as the Water-Esk, or 

 simply the Esk. Wherever located, it is by no means 

 a difficult task to fish this creature out of its element. 

 A small net dragged through the shallows will likely 

 land a few of these Newts if they actually frequent the 

 place. 



The hind toes of the Palmated Newt are webbed, 

 the crest is low and straight, with the posterior portion 

 rather more raised than the other. The tail ends in a 

 filament over the back, in which region the coloration 

 is olive-brown, while underneath it is lighter brown or 

 yellow. The body is touched here and there with dull 

 brown markings, while the head also owns several of 



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