524 Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society. , 
years in a number of other localities—Penicuik, Macbiehill; 
Gladsmuir, ete. 
By March, if the weather be genial, the Palmated Newt, 
like its congeners, will be found to have reappeared in many 
of the shallow ponds, stagnant pools, and ditches which it 
frequents during the breeding-season, but the time of their 
appearance (and disappearance) depends greatly on the 
nature of the season, and the character of the habitat. For 
instance, in a dry spring I have looked for them in vain 
in certain localities till a copious fall of rain, towards the 
end of May, filled the ditches, in which they breed. The 
nuptial dress of the males soon attains its maximum develop- 
ment, and by April many of the females will have begun to 
deposit their spawn. Adult males in spring are easily 
recognised, and after a little practice the females also can 
be separated from JZ. vulgaris at a glance—the colour of the 
belly, which seldom has the deep yellow or orange tint seen 
in the other species, and is less spotted, I generally find to 
be a safe and ready guide.! 
Except in ponds fed by springs, I have seldom observed 
them in the water after May or June, their other habitats 
(often mere ditches) being, by that time, either wholly dry 
or greatly reduced in area. When this takes place they may 
be found under stones about the spot, or conveniently near ; 
but a fresh fall of rain, by refilling the ditches, and raising 
the level of the ponds, is often the means of causing them 
to reappear in the water. Many of the larve remain over 
the winter in that state, and in spring are to be seen in the 
water simultaneously with the adults assembled for another 
breeding-season. Their length is then about 35 to 40 milli- 
metres. Mr R. S. Anderson, road surveyor, Peebles, tells me 
that his workmen turn up newts in hundreds when clearing 
away the grass at foot of walls on roadsides; and that in 
October and early in November they are found in great 
numbers among road metal—especially such as has been 
1 An excellent description of the Palmated Newt will be found in Fatio’s 
Faune des Vertébrés de la Suisse, vol. iii., where there is also a very fair 
coloured illustration. Leydig’s Molche der wiirttembergischen Fauna, 1867, 
in which enlarged figures of the characteristic parts of this and the preceding 
species are given, may also ke consulted with advantage. 
