2i 
SEXUAL SELECTION. 
Part IL 
Amphibians. 
Urodela , — -First for the tailed amphibians. The 
sexes of salamanders or newts often differ much both 
in colour and structure. In some species prehensile 
claws are developed on the fore-legs of the males 
during the breeding-season ; and at this season in 
tlie male Triton jpalmiipes the hind-feet are provided 
with a swimming web, which is almost completely 
absorbed during the winter ; so that their feet then 
Fig. 3T. Triton eristatus (half natural size, from Bell’s ‘ British Eeptiles')- 
Upper figure, male during the breeding-season; lower figure, female. 
resemble those of the female.^® This structure no doubt 
aids the male in his eager search and pursuit of the 
female. With our common newts (Triton ^unctatus 
and crisfatus) a deep, much-indented crest is developed 
along the back and tail of the male during the breed- 
ing-season, being absorbed during the winter. It is 
not furnished, as Mr. St. George Mivart informs me,. 
‘ History of British Eeptiles/ 2nd edit. 1819, p. 156-159. 
