THE PRACTICAL NATURALIST. 
21 
inhabiting this country. Of these the great crested Triton 
(Triton Cristalus), is the largest species, measuring about six 
inches in length. It is of a blackish brown colour, with a 
reddish belly, and is common in most ponds. It does not 
often quit the water, though it may be seen sometimes 
crawling over the land before a thunderstorm, or on the 
approach of rain. Rural folk call this species the “ Ascal.” 
The Smooth Spotted Newt ( Lissotviton Punctatus), is by far 
the commonest species of its family in this country. It 
inhabits nearly all ponds of clear water in the spring time, 
but in the summer and autumn it may be found most fre¬ 
quently in damp places on the land. It often enters cellars, 
and in dry weather has been found in gardens buried several 
inches in the soil. Its length is from three to four inches, 
and it is exceedingly variable in colour, the male being 
generally very much spotted. 
The Palmated Newt ( Lissotviton palmipes ) resembles the 
preceding in appearance ; it is, however, only a little more 
than half its size, and is a very local species in this country. 
In the spawning season the hind feet of the male are com¬ 
pletely webbed. 
A fourth British species of Newt is the Banded Newt 
(Omnatotviton vittatus), which has a wide black-edged white 
streak on each side of its body and tail, besides possessing 
several other peculiarities. It is a very rare and local species 
in this country. 
W. Harcourt Bath. 
THE PRACTICAL NATURALIST. 
Under this heading we propose to give a series of papers on collecting , preserving , 
Cfc ., specimens for the cabinet. Contributions are wished for upon several 
subjects —for information address the Editor. 
SKINNING AND MOUNTING BIRDS. 
By the Editor. 
(C oncliided from page i o.) 
The following directions will serve to illustrate the method 
employed in mounting specimens for the cabinet or other 
purposes, but it is almost needless to remark that any 
degree of perfection in the art of mounting is only acquired 
by means of continued practice and perseverance. The ad¬ 
ditional materials required for mounting specimens consist 
merely of a quantity of wire (annealed), of several gauges, 
and a few bottle corks of sizes proportionate to the birds in 
hand ; also artificial eyes of the requisite kinds, which may 
be procured from any taxidermist. 
