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and Structure of the Aquatic Salamander . 
In this species of salamander, the pelvis is attached to the 
14th vertebra. M. Cuvier, following Latreille, designates this 
species by the name of Salamandre palmipede ; but this deno- 
mination, says the author, is improper, inasmuch as it is founded 
on a character which is neither permanent nor common to the 
two sexes ; and, besides, the feet of the male are not palmated, 
but lobulated. 
Of the other and larger species of salamander ( Salamandra 
platycaudd ), Linnaeus, says the author, has made two species, 
which he designates by particular names ; Laurenti has made 
four, Dufay three, Spallanzani two, and some recent authors 
not less than six, M. de la Cepede is the only one who, in re- 
jecting the species recognised by Dufay, gave a luminous proof 
of that fine tact which characterises him. But it is in vain to 
expect to avoid errors in natural history, when we do not take 
anatomy for our guide. 
The salamanders of this species, when very young, that is to 
say, soon after their metamorphosis, have a line or streak of fine 
yellow, bordered with brown and black, which extends from the 
middle of the head to the extremity of the tail. At this age, 
we remark, in their exterior conformation, no difference between 
the male and female ; but, in the following spring, the yellow 
streak disappears entirely from the back of the male, and is re- 
placed by a membranous and serrated crest, which has procured 
for this species the name of Salamandra cristata. Toward the 
beginning of the autumn of the second year, this membranous 
crest exhibits, at its base, small yellow spots, which, in extend- 
ing gradually along the back, terminate by forming anew the 
streak which had disappeared five or six months before. In the 
mean time, the membranous crest shrinks ; and, before the end 
of autumn, is changed into a streak, slightly prominent, and of 
a dull yellow colour. With the return of the fine season of 
the third year, the yellow streak disappears ; and again the 
male adorns himself with his crest, which again shrinks remark- 
ably, as soon as the season of love is past. Towards the au- 
tumn of this year, only some slight traces of the yellow streak 
can be perceived, and these disappear for ever with the spring of 
the fourth year. According to the author’s observations, the 
male is not in a condition to reproduce before the end of the 
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