Page:British Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fresh-water Fishes.djvu/65

PALMATED AND GREAT WATER NEWTS line dividing the upper from the lower parts is excepted, are uncoloured. If any markings are present, they will be a few small dots of blackish. The male has this latter colour also on the back part of the crest, and its hind feet are the same. On the under part of the crest the male is bluish-grey, and the female orange. After shedding its skin frequently, the Palmated Newt, as with its congeners, comes to land, when it assumes a much more

sombre hue. It is during the breeding season that these amphibians are seen at their best, both in regard to marking and ornate crest. The length of the Palmated Newt rarely exceeds 3 inches.

Great Water Newt.—Triton cristatus (Figs. 27 and 28). Also called Crested, Great Crested, and Great Warty Newt. It is easily the largest species of the three found in Britain, attaining a length of 5 to 6 inches, though the female often exceeds this, and is the larger of the two. 49