8d Type or north American aquatic salamander (7) A_O_ _ _L
12a Evergreen Mediterranean tree substitute for chocolate (5) _A_ _ _
22a The shaving of the head or crown in certain monastic orders (7) T_N_U_E
26a Ancient city in south east Greece, in the north east Peloponnese (5) _R_O_
27a 17th Century Dutch painter (9) _H_ _ _ _ N _T
23d Vast region of Russia and north Kezakstan (7) S_ _ _ R _ A