220 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



barred pattern, commoner with southern forms, but tend rather 

 to become longitudinally confluent along the back. Very pretty 

 specimens of this type may be found, though the continuity of the 

 lines is broken on the tail. 



I have never come across the Salamander after the beginning 

 of October, and only once succeeded in unearthing three indi- 

 viduals, in close proximity to each other, during the winter. The 

 coloration was as bright as in summer, and they were not long in 

 regaining their habitual liveliness. My earliest date for their 

 spring appearance is the first week of April. 



It is a singular fact that the young of a certain size— from 

 5 to 10 cm. — appear to be much rarer than the adults, and I do 

 not know that anyone has ventured an explanation of this. Is it 

 that their habits are more nocturnal ? 



The larvae are extremely abundant in all the shaded streams 

 and springs of the hills. While they are being deposited, the 

 females are sometimes carried away by the current, a misfortune 

 which may entail disastrous consequences, unless they are drifted 

 ashore again by a kindly wave. Similar accidents may take place 

 during their summer rambles, if they happen to step into a half' 

 empty cattle-trough or other hopeless situations. I have dis- 

 covered S. atra in the same predicament, feebly struggling to keep 

 its head above water. 



Some of these larvae are very light-coloured, in fact, almost 

 white and transparent. Their egg, however, is always furnished 

 with colouring matter. This paleness is probably the result of 

 deficient nourishment, as has been experimentally shown by Fatio 

 (' Faune des Vertebres de la Suisse,' p. 579) in the instance of 

 Triton palmatus. But these larvae of Salamandra are no doubt 

 constitutionally weaker, and must stand a poor chance of surviving 

 and regaining their strength, in view of the severe struggle for 

 existence among them. 



Triton alpestris has been observed "more or less albinotic " 

 in alpine lakes, but, from my experience, the light appearance of 

 some of these newts in the water is due to the semi-detached and 

 translucent epidermis. 



Among reptiles and batrachians in general the tendency to 

 this condition is comparatively rare : cases have been recorded 

 with Coronella Icevis (2), Elaphisjlavescem, Tropidonotns natrix (2), 

 T. tessellatus ; Alytes obstetricans, Bombinator bombinus, Hyla 



