AMPIIIHIAX MKJRATTOX. 13 



In the oxpei-iments the method was to collect a luuuber 

 of Palmate Newts, mark them and set them loose near the pool at 

 diflFerent distances from it. Each separate batch of Newts was 

 given its own special mai'k, so that the animals when recovered 

 could be iiinnediiitely assigned to their respective batches. After 

 several unsuccessful attempts at ringing with fine aluminium wire, 

 J came to the conclusion that the simplest and best vyay of 

 marking them was by amputating the toes of the feet in a variety 

 of combinations. 



The toe was snipped ofi" close to the base with a pair of fine 

 scissors. In the case of some controls, operated on and kept in 

 an observation-pan, these animals could be easily distinguished 

 from unmarked ones even after the lapse of two months, and 

 this period of time for the purpose of the experiments was ample, 

 so that I had nothing to fear from regeneration. Two days 

 after the operation, the Newts were set loose at nightfall oir 

 the ground near the pool. They were always placed lieading 

 towards the pool, and care was taken not to influence the immediate 

 course of the Newts through the reactions of compensatory head- 

 movements. 



Experiment 1. In this experiment twenty-one Newts were 

 collected from a large pond 10 miles away from the experimental 

 pond. This collection was divided into three lots of seven each, 

 and each batch bore its distinguishing mark. On April 26th: — ■ 



Batch A was placed 15 yards from the edge of the pool on the 



incline X. 

 Batch B was placed „ „ „ „ ,, on the 



incline Y. 

 Batch C was placed 10 yards up the steep slope Z. 



Result. Next morning none of the marked Newts had suc- 

 ceeded in finding the water. On April 29th one of Batch C was 

 recovered, and one of Batch B on the following day, On May 13th 

 one of Batch A was taken. Thus only three were recovered. 



Experiment 2. A collection of twelve Newts was made from 

 the pond 10 miles away, marked and treated as usual. On 

 May 8th six were placed 5 yards away at Y, and sjx 10 yards 

 away at Z, These two lots were marked distinguishably one from 

 another and fi'om all other lots, as in all other experiments with 

 one exception. 



Result. Next day none had found the water. No signs 

 of them on May 14th. On May 29th one, the only successful 

 animal, was obtained. It was one of the Batch at Z, 



Experiment 3. Seven more marked and imported Newts were 

 placed at X, 5 yards fx'om the pool, on May 26th, One was 

 recovered on May 29th, 



Recorded below are the experiments with Newts collected from 

 the experimental pool itself and set free in its precincts after the 

 usual treatment. 



