TAILED BATRACHIANS. 



43 



best known, of specimens retaining the gills throughout life 

 whereas other individuals of the same species undergo the regular 

 metamorphosis. The yellow-and-black-spotted Land-Salamander 

 (Salamandra maculosd) is very common over nearly the whole of 

 Europe and in North Africa. Three species of Newts (Molye) are 

 found in Great Britain, viz. the large Crested Newt (M. cristata), the 

 Common Smooth Newt (M.vulgaris, fig. 32), and the PalmatedNewt 



Molge vulyaris (Common Smooth Newt), male and female. 



(M.paltnata). These species live in the water in spring and during 

 part of the summer, whilst they are engaged in depositing their 

 eggs, at intervals coming to the surface for the purpose of respir- 

 ation. The remainder of the year they pass on land. 



The Amphiumida are exclusively aquatic, although they lose the 

 gills during metamorphosis. They are easily distinguished from the 

 Salamandridce by the absence of eyelids. The species of Amphiuma 

 (fig. 33) are eel-like creatures, with very small limbs, from North 



E 



