COMMON SMOOTH-NEWT. 145 



both in their perfect and, especially, in their larva state, 

 and of small aquatic worms and Mollusca ; they also 

 rise to take gnats, &c. which settle on the surface of the 

 water. 



The reproduction and metamorphosis of this species 

 differ very little from those of the former. I have observed 

 that in depositing their eggs, they do not so constantly 

 place them within a folded leaf, but frequently in the axillse 

 of the leaves ; in which situation I have very often observed 

 the females in the act of placing them, and sometimes by 

 two, three, or four together. The pursuit of the male after 

 the female differs also in some respects. He follows her 

 in swimming for a considerable time ; they do not, as in 

 the former instance, necessarily rest upon the ground ; 

 and the tail of the male is doubled forwards in a sort of 

 loop, and vibrated with a rapid tremulous motion. The 

 changes which take place in the developement of the em- 

 bryo are similar to those already described in the former 

 species. The seasonal changes, however, are still more 

 curious and varied than in the two species of Triton, and 

 deserve a more detailed description, especially as these 

 differences have led to much misunderstanding by the 

 establishment of erroneous specific names, and consequent 

 confusion of synonyms. 



In the month of June the young animals have in many 

 cases lost their branchiae by absorption, and very soon 

 afterwards a great number of them at least quit the water, 

 and remain on land. Many of the adults also become 

 terrestrial soon after this period, creeping about amongst 

 the herbage in the neighbourhood of the water, or in damp 

 places, frequently concealing themselves amongst the roots 

 of shrubs and plants, and sometimes even venturing into 

 damp cellars. The males about this time begin to lose the 



