264 BATRACHIA, 



It appears to be of very rare occurrence^ having been 

 found but a few times, and only in the Pyrenees. 



Triton punctatus. 



Triton punctatus, Dum. et Bib. vol. ix. p. 141 ; Buon. Faun. Ital. 



(figured). 

 Triton palmaius, Scihnz, Europ. Faun. vol. ii. p. 61. 

 Lissotriton punctatus, Bell, Hist. Brit. Bep. 

 Common Smooth Newt. 



Description. — The whole of the skin is quite smooth, 

 without any tubercles ; on the top of the head are two rows 

 of pores ; occasionally there are a few distant pores on the 

 sides, forming an indistinct lateral line ; the collar beneath 

 the throat very inconspicuous ; the male in the breeding 

 season furnished with a crest, which runs continuously from 

 the top of the head along the tail, and is regularly fes- 

 tooned on its edge. Upper parts light brownish grey in- 

 clining to olive ; beneath yellowish, becoming bright orange 

 in spring, marked all over with round, black, unequal 

 spots ; on the head the spots form about five longitudinal 

 streaks ; under the eyes is a yellowish streak ; the female 

 is much less spotted than the male, the spots being smaller 

 and often very obscure, and the under parts are often quite 

 plain. Passes a great deal of its time on land, when the 

 skin loses its softness and sometimes becomes wrinkled; 

 the toes, from being flat, become round ; the membranes 

 of the back and tail entirely disappear, and all the colours 

 become more dull. 



Entire length, from 3£ to 4 inches. 



Is found over a large part of Europe, and is the most 

 plentiful species in the British Islands. Is very common in 

 Switzerland, Belgium, GaUicia, and the Bukovina. " Un- 

 commonly numerous in Silesia," and very abundant in 

 Italy, especially near Bome. Inhabits many parts of Prance, 

 and is found in Carniola. 



