COMMON SMOOTH NEWT OR EFT. 153 



the species of these animals, divides them into two 

 species, thus, — (1.) ' Lissotriton punctatus, — upper 

 lip straight, not overhanging the lower. (2.) Lis- 

 sotriton palmipes, — upper lip pendulous at the 

 sides, overhanging the under in a distinct festoon as 

 far as the base of the lower jaw. Toes of the 

 hinder feet fringed with a short membrane at all 

 seasons.' I may observe that the latter is not the 

 Triton pcdmipes of Latreille, which has the hind 

 feet of the male, in the breeding season, webbed ; 

 and that I believe it only differs from the former by 

 being in the fully developed state at the season of 

 reproduction. I am borne out in this idea by the 

 observations of Messrs. Higginbottom, Hogg, and 

 many others. The former observes : — * Some tritons 

 have been distinguished by the upper lip overhang- 

 ing the lower.' I have observed that in the first 

 year of Triton asper (T. cristatus) the upper lip 

 overhangs the under," &c* 



Newts undergo confinement with complacency, 

 and under such circumstances their insectivorous 

 habits may render them useful. The results of one 

 of these experiments are thus recorded : — 



la the fern-case I formed a small pond of water, thinking 

 that as effets are mostly found in ponds during the day, in 



* Dr. Gray, in '• Proceedings of the Zoological Society," 1858, 

 p. 137. 



