Reptiles. 1033 



spotted plumbeous and white, and others are nearly black. I do not 

 pretend to account for all this variety, I only know it to exist ; and I 

 think it goes to disprove the existence of a number of permanent va- 

 rieties of this sole noxious British reptile. 



The common Frog is not plentiful. In the Undercliff I seldom see 

 it ; and, from all I can learn, it is less common throughout the island 

 than I have known it elsewhere. 



The common Toad is much more abundant than the preceding spe- 

 cies ; and I have sometimes picked up marvellously large individuals. 



The common Smooth Newt and Palmated Smooth Newt are abun- 

 dant. The common Warty Newt I have not succeeded in obtaining, 

 but can scarcely doubt its existence. 



I have some reason for believing that both the Edible and the Tree 

 Frog have occurred in the island ; but have failed to establish them 

 certainly. Chas. A. Bury. 



Bonchurch, May 31, 1845. 



On the Salamander, Sal. terrestris (maculata). This little reptile, which has been 

 the subject of such terrible traditions and marvellous anecdotes, does not, I believe, 

 occur in Britain. In central Europe it is not uncommon, although extremely local. 

 In appearance it may easily be distinguished from the lizard tribe by its smooth skin, 

 weak legs and sluggish motions. Its ground colour is a rich black, variegated with 

 numerous irregular spots of a bright yellow, scattered over the whole body. These 

 vary much in number, size, form and position, and are sometimes nearly obsolete. In 

 some, the spots are of a more orange tinge; these are, in all probability, the males. 

 They feed upon various insects, which they, like most reptiles, swallow whole. They 

 are most frequently found by the side of rivers and brooks, in rocky valleys, avoiding 

 equally, dry and boggy places. I had only once an opportunity of capturing them in 

 plenty, in the valley of the Neisse, between Ostritz and Hirschfelde, in Saxon Lusatia. 

 The Neisse, a clear mountain-torrent, forces its way through the narrow rocky valley, 

 the sides of which are covered with magnificent beech-woods. I traversed this valley 

 in May, 1836, without finding a single specimen ; but in June, 1837, 1 was more for- 

 tunate. A refreshing thunder-shower had just entered the valley, and the salamanders 

 had crept forth, to enjoy the delicious coolness ; eighteen fine specimens fell to my 

 share, which I found, not at the margin of the river, but up amongst the rocks. I 

 packed them in a tin box with plenty of wet moss, and succeeded in bringing them all 

 safe home. Here, after specimens had been selected for several friends, the greater 

 part of the remainder were put in a glazed box, fitted up with stones and moss, and 

 kept always moist. As to food, we supplied them with insects of various kinds, which 

 they soon learned to take from the tip of the finger. I always handled them with cau- 

 tion, not on my account, indeed, but on theirs, as the warmth of the hand seemed evi- 

 dently to distress them, (this is the creature that lived in fire !). It is perfectly true 

 that a milky, somewhat corrosive liquid does occasionally exude from their skin, and 

 very probable that this liquid might cause unpleasant symptoms if applied to the eye ; 

 iii 3 Q 



