Page:British Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fresh-water Fishes.djvu/62

BRITISH AMPHIBIANS faster on the ground. The Natterjack is more independent of water than its relatives, only resorting to it for spawning purposes.

ORDER CAUDATA, FAMILY SALAMANDRIDÆ

Smooth Newt.—Triton vulgaris (Figs. 23 and 24). This is the most familiar British species, and there are few ponds which do not contain examples during Spring and Summer. Newts produce their eggs later than Frogs and Toads, May and June being the months usually selected. The Smooth Newt occurs in Ireland, as well as on the mainland, and differs from the two following species by depositing several eggs—from four to six—in a string. These are attached to the roots of aquatic plants at the bed of the water, whereas the eggs of the Palmated and Great Water Newts are wrapped singly in a leaf as mentioned in the introduction to this section. Newt- tadpoles may be known by having a couple of black stripes along the back, but in the case of Triton vulgaris the tadpole is distinguished by a number of yellow dots. Contrary to the development of Frog and Toad tadpoles, those of Newts produce the front pair of legs previous to the advent of the hind ones, an exactly reverse action. The latter do not appear for several weeks after the advent of the front pair, and it takes some 46