210 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



No wonder that, until observations such as this are forth- 

 coming, the utility of certain characters is frequently called into 

 question. 



2. T. palmatus, Schneider. — Doubtless more widely diffused 

 than is at present known. The localities already given for Baden 

 are Heidelberg, Herrenwies, Mummelsee, and Freiburg ; to which 

 I can add Rippoldsau, and Allerheiligen, both in the Northern 

 Schwarzwald, and well known to tourists. At the latter place 

 I obtained great numbers in a small rill near the Convent, 

 together, in about equal proportions, with T. alpestris. I also 

 captured palmatus in the Glottenthal near Freiburg, in the same 

 pond with T. tceniatus and cristatus, but nowhere in the Khine 

 Valley, nor yet at Griinwettersbach on the hills near Karlsruhe, 

 where it is said to be found. 



Coloration and size of Baden specimens agree with those 

 from other parts of the Continent. The length never exceeds 

 10 cm., generally ranging between 6 — 8 cm. The females (from 

 the same localities) vary in ground-colour from dark brown to 

 greyish green ; in a single case the under surfaces were pure 

 white, instead of yellow. 



During the summer months this sex bears such a close 

 resemblance, in its obscure tint and emaciated condition, to 

 others of T. tceniatus, that it is well to remember that the absence 

 of pigment on the throats affords, as Mr. Boulenger has pointed 

 out, the easiest criterion of its identity. 



Having occasion to keep large numbers of this species in 

 confinement, I was able to corroborate what others have observed 

 with respect to its voice. This consists in a short, 'abrupt tone, 

 but whether it is produced under the water or on coming to the 

 surface to breathe, I could not say, as the animals were purposely 

 kept out of the light. 



The distribution of this species in Germany has been dealt 

 with in a special enquiry by Prof. Leydig, to which I may refer 

 those who are interested in the subject (' Triton helveticus und 

 Rana agiUs.' Wiirzburg, 1888). 



3. T. tceniatus, Schneider. — This newt is about as common as 

 the next species ; for though not occurring, like it, on the highest 

 points of the Schwarzwald, it is more abundant near the 

 Rhine. No doubt its numbers here are kept down, to some 

 extent, by a variety of enemies, preying chiefly upon the larvae. 



