Our Crested Newt (_Molge cristata_) and the Continental Marbled Newt (_M. marmorata_) interbreed in France, in the wild state, and the resulting hybrid was at first described as a distinct species, under the name of _Molge blasii_. These two newts differ greatly in appearance. In the Marbled Newt the colouration is brilliant green and black above, and shows no orange below, thus differing much from that of the Crested Newt, which is black above and mottled with orange beneath, while the crest of the breeding-male of this species lacks the notches which are so conspicuous in that of the Crested Newt. [Illustration: HARLEQUIN QUAIL (Coturnix delegorguei)] [Illustration: RAIN QUAIL (Coturnix coromandelica)] Insects Among insects, M. de Quatrefages states that the hybrid progeny of the silk-moths _Bombyx cynthia_ and _B. arrindia_ are fertile for eight generations when bred _inter se_. Limits to the Possibilities of Hybridisation Hybrids can apparently only be produced between species of the same natural family. The stories of cat-rabbits, deer-ponies, fowl-ducks, and similar distant crosses invariably break down on close examination. A belief in such remote crosses characterized the ancient “bestiaries,” and still lingers, as witness the falsely-reputed crosses alluded to above. This belief has no doubt arisen from the fact that the domestic breeds of dogs, fowls, etc., are popularly confounded with truly distinct species. Mongrels are well known to be readily produced, and hence the notion arises that hybrids between the most widely-separated species are possible. In practice, the most remote cross of which authenticated specimens exist is that between the red grouse and the domestic fowl (bantam cock). It is true that the grouse are commonly ranked by ornithologists as a family distinct (_Tetraonidae_) from that of the pheasants and partridges (_Phasianidae_), to which the fowl belongs; but the relationship is admittedly very close, and we doubt if general zoologists would countenance the maintenance of the families as distinct. Ornithologists are notoriously apt to over-rate small differences when drawing up a classification. It would be therefore safe to say, in the present state of our knowledge, that species belonging to different natural families cannot hybridize. In some cases multiple hybrids have been produced. Thus, at the London Zoological Gardens, many years ago, a hybrid between the Gayal of India (_Bos frontalis_) and the Indian humped cow mentioned above was put to an American bison, and produced a double hybrid calf. M. G. Rogeron of Angers bred many hybrids from a male pochard and a duck bred from a Mallard and a Gadwall. More recently, Mr J. L. Bonhote has succeeded in combining the blood of five wild species of ducks in one individual. Mr J. T. Newman has also bred turtle-doves containing the blood of three distinct species.