Page:Natural History, Reptiles.djvu/274

266 terrestrial and aquatic, consists of worms, slugs, insects and their larvæ, &c.

We have several examples of this Family in Great Britain, all of which are aquatic in their habits. They are commonly known under the appellations of Eft or Evet, and Newt.

The Smooth-newts, which are separated by Professor Bell from the Warty-newts, present the following characters. The tongue is semi-globular, slightly free at each side, free and pointed behind; the palate has two longitudinal rows of minute teeth; there are four toes on the fore feet, and five on the hind, all destitute of nails; the skin is smooth, not set with warts; there are two patches of glandular pores on the head, but none on the back or sides. The back of the male is furnished during the summer with a sort of fin or crest, which, commencing at the hind head, runs without interruption to the extremity of the tail. In winter this crest is no longer found, being absorbed on the approach of cold weather, to be renewed in spring; but the tail retains at all periods a finny expansion running along its upper and lower edges, diminished in winter.

The Common Smooth-newt (Lissotriton punctatus, .), which is found in almost every clear ditch and pond in summer, is a beautiful little animal. The male is about three inches and a half in length, of a brownish hue above, merging into yellow beneath, which in spring becomes a rich bright orange; the whole studded