386 tUe zoologist. 



with each other for the possession of a mouthful. Two or three 

 can be landed simultaneously till a sufficient quantity has been 

 obtained. This may sound improbable : fiat experimentum. 



As regards the distribution of R. ridibunda, Pallas, in Baden, 

 I regret very much being unable at present to include it in this 

 list. Since the publication of the papers* describing this form, 

 a number of successful observers have recorded it from various 

 districts in Germany, chiefly Central and Northern. Unfor- 

 tunately my free time for observation was very limited during 

 the last years of my residence there, and since the spring of 

 1889 an entire lack of correspondents has prevented my hearing 

 of its capture. A doubtful specimen has been identified through 

 the kindness of Mr. Boulenger as " R. escidenta typica." 



2. R.fusca, Koesel. — This species has greater capacities for 

 accommodation than the others, and is accordingly well-nigh 

 ubiquitous in Baden. This flexibility further shows itself in the 

 production of a large number of varieties, some of them distinct 

 enough to have perplexed systematic naturalists, while others are 

 only slight modifications of colouring. 



Of these latter the form so common in England and Scotland, 

 with the yellowish back indiscriminately blotched with deep 

 black markings, is comparatively rare in the Grand Duchy (it 

 seems to be more common on the Lower Bhine), as also the 

 female form, conspicuous by the bright red colour of the under 

 surfaces, which is abundant in Alpine districts. I have never 

 observed green coloration in any part of the body. The shape of 

 the snout is much less constant than with the following species. 

 The true platyrrhinus, Steenstr., of more substantial size and 

 generally rougher skin, is frequent in the hilly parts of the 

 country ; while in the Bhine woods I have come across a smaller 

 variety, which I should be disposed to class as the acutirostris of 

 Fatio. I have also captured several of the barred var. striata t 

 which seems to be sporadically distributed. Their resemblance 

 to R. arvalis, though very striking, betokens no relationship, 

 and is only another instance of the curious parallel variability 

 previously noticed. The throat of the male usually assumes the 

 seasonal bluish tinge ; in some cases the back is similarly of a 

 pale violet-grey of a very ephemeral nature. 



G. A. Boulenger, 'The Zoologist,' 1884, p. 220; 'Proc. Zool. 8uc.' 

 1885, p. GOO. (See also ' Proc. Zool. Soc.' October, 1891.) 



