144 0UR REPTILES. 



its development. When the tadpole leaves the 

 ovum it swims away freely, and either attaches itself 

 to the sides, or falls to the bottom of the vessel. It 

 soon commences to feed voraciously, is not at all 

 particular about its diet, and will devour the tad- 

 poles of the smooth newt, with no compunction on 

 account of their near relationship. " I have seen 

 the warty triton," says Mr. Higginbottom,* " in its 

 branchial state, with three of the smaller species in 

 its stomach at one time." The legs appear to be 

 very tardy in their development, and until they 

 possess sufficient strength to support the creature 

 on land it continues to inhabit the water in its fish- 

 like state. It is not until three months after their 

 exclusion from the egg that the triton-tadpoles give 

 any evidence of their quadrupedal tendencies. Even 

 at this period the hind legs are exceedingly delicate, 

 though the fore legs are developed in as many weeks. 

 When the legs are all fully formed the branchiae are 

 absorbed, the gills are closed, and the triton emerges 

 upon dry land to enter upon its terrestrial existence. 

 This generally occurs about the middle of Septem- 

 ber. It may be noted that triton s which emerge 

 from the ova too late in the season to develop their 

 legs before the cold weather sets in make no pro- 



* " On the Influence of Physical Agents on the Development 

 of the Triton." — Philosophical Transactions, 1850, part ii., p. 431. 



