172 OUR REPTILES. 



disposition of the colours, shows this is not the 

 case, and that it is not only a distinct species, 

 but a very distinct genus, as is further proved 

 by M. Duges' figure of the skull/ "* In illustra- 

 tion of the latter remark, we have given wood- 

 cuts of the skull of this species, together with 

 the other British Newts, which have been faith- 

 fully copied from M. Duges' treatise in the French 

 " Annals of Natural History." f 



The habits of this species do not probably 

 differ from those of the Smooth and Warted 

 Newts ; but hitherto it has been found so seldom, 

 and the observations have been so few, that 

 beyond its merely scientific character, we have 

 no character to give it. Indeed, in a popular 

 sense we may almost say that it is a newt with- 

 out a character. So far as genus and species are 

 concerned, it is regarded as very well charac- 

 terized by scientific men. In this sense we will 

 give its character, as written by Dr. Gray. 



" Pale grey, closely black-spotted. Tail nearly 

 black. Side of abdomen and middle of tail with 

 a broad wide streak, white beneath (belly). 

 Throat black-dotted. Mature male, during the 

 breeding season, with a high-toothed dorsal 

 (back) and caudal (tail) fin, the base interrupted 



* Dr. Gray, in " Proc. Zool. Soc., 1858," p. 140. 

 t Ann. den Sc. Nat., 3rd series, xvii. t. 1. 



