Seasonal variations, as was pointed out by Weismann, show a 

 hereditary tendency to alternate which, in some cases, is inde- 

 pendent of external conditions. 



Seasonal varieties are in some eases (e. g., Colias, and possibly 

 Arascltnia) to lie regarded as distinct ontogenetic stages. Cold 

 arrests development at an early phase in color metabolism, and 

 the mature insect emerges with pale colors (Colias eurytheme 

 var. arladne), or with a color pattern different from the defini- 

 tive coloration of the species (Araschnia levana). 



The suggestion is made that local color varieties, passing it 

 may be for distinct species, are probably in some cases the equiv- 

 alents of seasonal variations. That is. they are the product of a 

 genotype sensitive to environmental ehane.es expressing itself 

 under a particular set of local climatic conditions; elsewhere the 

 same genotype may respond quite differently. Such phenomena, 

 though not of profound evolutionary significance, may play a 

 rather conspicuous role in the evolution and diversification of 

 the colors of animals and plants. 



John H. Gerould 



VARIATIONS IN THE VERMILION-SPOTTED NEWT, 

 D. VIRIDESCENS 



AVmr.t: carrying on some experiments with the spotted newt, 

 Diemyctylus viridescens, I was struck with the variation in the 

 size, number and arrangement of the black-bordered vermilion 

 spots so characteristic of this beautiful little salamander. 



It is now generally recognized that this species exhibits two 

 phases which were formerly described as distinct varieties or even 

 species. As described by Gage 1 the young animal, which is ter- 

 restrial in habits, is red in color and was formerly called D. 

 miniatus; later it becomes aquatic and its ground-color becomes 

 olivaceous— permanently so, according to Gage. Against this 

 dark ground-color (which is subject to considerable variation 

 under different conditions even in the same individual) the bright 

 red spots with their black borders stand out very strikingly. 



It was with the olivaceous phase that I was experimenting, and 

 it is upon this phase that the following observations are based. 



iGage, S. H.. "The Life-History of the Vermilion-Spotted Newt," 

 Amer. Nat., December, 1891, pp. 1084-1103. 



