SALAMANDRID^E. 



Having given my own reasons for my entire conviction 

 that Triton vittatus of Gray is a variety only of the present 

 species, I think it right, in justice to Mr. Gray, to add the 

 following extract of a note which I have received from him 

 on this subject : 



" My Salamandra vittata, which has been figured by 

 Guerin, who has adopted my name, belongs to the same 

 group as the former [Triton cristatus]. It agrees with it in 

 having the crest interrupted over the loins, and chiefly differs 

 from it in having smaller tubercles, and in colour. It is 

 easily known both from S. palustris [Tr. cristatus^ and 

 from Triton punctatus, by the wide black-edged white streak 

 along the lower part of each side of the body, &c. The 

 head is much larger and more depressed than that of any of 

 the varieties of Tr. punctatus" 



I have only to add that I differ entirely from these opinions 

 of Mr. Gray, and that the last-named character was only 

 found in one specimen of those of the British Museum, the 

 others having the head of the same proportional size as in 

 Lissotriton palmipes. The exception was probably acci- 

 dental. 



London : Printed by Samuel Bentley, Bangor House, Shoe Lane. 



