TAILED BATRACHIANS. 



43 



best known, of specimens retaining the gills throughout life, whereas 

 other individuals of the same species undergo the regular meta- 

 morphosis. The common land-Salamander (Salamandra maculosa) 

 is very common over nearly the whole of Europe and in North 

 Africa. Three species of Newts {Molge) are found in Great Britain, 

 viz. the large Crested Newt (M. cristata), the Common Smooth Newt 

 (M. vulgaris, fig. 32), and the Palmated Newt (M. palm at a). These 



Fig-. 32. 



Molge vulgaris (Common Smooth Newt). 



species live in the water in spring and during part of the summer, 

 whilst they are engaged in depositing their eggs, coming at in- 

 tervals to the surface for the purpose of respiration. 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 

 Salamandrida by the absence of eyelids. The species of Amphiuma 

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



