496 REV. J. T. GULICK ON DIVERSITY OE EVOLUTION 



tile, and in about a minute from the first touch of the Newt a 

 strong flow of clear saiiva. This was accompanied by much foam 

 and violent spasmodic action, approaching convulsions, but en- 

 tirely confined to the mouth itself. 



The experiment was immediately followed by headache lasting 

 for some hours, general discomfort of the system, and half an hour 

 after by slight shivering fits. It was not intended that any of the 

 poison should be swallowed, but such may have been the case to a 

 slight degree; and none of the remedies (similarly intended 

 merely to be held in the mouth), such as dilute ammonia, had any 

 effect in removing the discomfort, till, about an hour after the ex- 

 periment, swallowing a few spoonfuls of cream at once allayed 

 much of the local irritation and with it the general discomfort of 

 the system. 



These observations appear to show the presence of a principle 

 in the exudation of the Tritons which, whilst to a certain extent 

 painful when applied to external injuries, is sufficiently powerful 

 to cause serious disturbance by its physical effects on such of the 

 sensitive internal surfaces as it may be allowed in ordinary cir- 

 cumstances to reach, and which, if acting with corresponding 

 effect on more important organs, might, if swallowed, be probably 

 dangerous, almost certainly exceedingly painful, in its action on 

 the system. 



To the Tritons themselves the exudation appears to act as a 

 protection perfectly adapted to their needs as a defence against 

 such enemies as they have most to fear from in their natural state : 

 the spasmodic effect on the jaws, which would almost imme- 

 diately ensure the Triton being dropped from the mouth of the 

 attacking animal, joined to the temporary local pain and great dis- 

 comfort, would (as far as experiment shows) be quite sufficient to 

 distract attention from the reptile till it had time to conceal itself; 

 and the effect as noticed by a casual passer-by would fully justify 

 the common prejudice against the reptile, though harmless and 

 inoffensive in its ordinary state. 



On Diversity of Evolution under one set of External Conditions. 

 By Eev. John T. Gtijlick. 



[Read November 21, 1872.] 



The terms "Natural Selection" and "Survival of the Fittest" 

 present different phases of a law which can act only where there 



