300 FROGS, TOADS, AND NEWTS [CH. VIII 



that of the tailless genera. The vertebrae have transverse 

 outgrowths from the centrum in addition to the trans- 

 verse processes springing from the neural arch: the neural 

 spines are well developed : the centra concave posteriorly. 

 Short ribs, not embracing the body, are present and 

 articulate both with the neural and central transverse 

 processes. 



Newts possess a remarkable power, not exhibited by 

 frogs and toads, of repairing injury: entire limbs are 

 grown again from the stumps left after accidental or other 

 amputation. 



(1) The .Crested Newt, or Great Warty Newt (Molge 

 cristata, Triton cristatus). Length about 6 inches ; colour 

 black, or olive-brown with black spots dorsally, sides 

 speckled with white ; ventral surface orange-yellow with 

 black spots and marblings. Surface of skin rough, warty. 

 Toes yellow with black rings. The dorsal crest of the 

 male is serrated, his head marbled black and white, and 

 tail marked with a silvery-grey lateral band in the 

 breeding season. In the skeleton there is no ligamentous 

 or bony arch covering the frontal and squamosal bones. 

 Common in all parts of the country. 



(2) The Common Newt, or Smooth Newt (Molge 

 vulgaris, Lissotriton punctatus). Length 3 or 4 inches ; 

 colour olive-brown with darker blotches, head with five 

 longitudinal dark stripes; ventral surface yellowish with 

 dark brown or black mottlings. The dorsal crest of the 

 male is festooned and the hind toes lobed at the breeding 

 sea'son. The lower edge of the tail is reddish with a blue- 

 black margin and interrupted by black bars in the male, 



