142 OUR REPTILES. 



most common .species, extending in its geographical 

 distribution from Italy to Sweden ; is plentiful all 

 through Italy and Switzerland, and is not un- 

 common in the south of France, Belgium, and 

 Carniola. 



Any one who has paid the slightest attention to 

 the British newts will at least have noticed this 

 rough-skinned species and the common smooth 

 newt. It is now upwards of twelve years since a 

 very patient and earnest observer made pets of the 

 British tritons, and studied closely their habits and 

 changes through a period of five years. Since we 

 cannot lay claim to any such close and continued 

 observation, the principal facts of our history of this 

 species will be derived from this source, which is the 

 most complete and authentic account we possess. 



To commence with the egg, we learn that the ova 

 begin to be deposited as early as the beginning of 

 April, and continue to be deposited until the first or 

 second week in July. These ova are carefully enclosed, 

 singly, in the folds caused by the bending together 

 of the leaves of certain aquatic plants. Those most 

 favourable for this purpose have been found to be 

 Water Speedwell (Veronica anagallis) and long 

 grasses. If the leaf be too pliable and soft, it opens 

 and exposes the ovum so that it perishes; if too 

 rigid, the triton is unable to bend or break the fibres 

 so as to fold it conveniently. 



