COMMON WARTY-NEWT. 123 



attached to cacli other like beads. These mistakes have 

 arisen from the fact that the precaution was not taken of 

 placing aquatic plants in the vessel with the Newts, the con- 

 sequence of which has been that, in the first place, the eggs 

 of course fell to the bottom of the vessel ; and, in the next 

 place, as they fell into contact with each other they became 

 united by the mass of tenacious matter by which they are 

 surrounded. This shows how important it is, in all observ- 

 ations on the habits of animals, made on individuals in con- 

 finement, to place them in circumstances as nearly natural as 

 possible ; and never to rest satisfied by any results obtain- 

 ed under artificial restraints. Rusconi has the merit of first 

 publishing an accurate account of the process in question, 

 and I have observed it many times, and long before I was 

 acquainted with Rusconi's book. 



As soon as the female has in this way deposited a single 

 egg^ she quits the leaf; and after the lapse of a short time 

 seeks another, there to place another egg. 



I now proceed to describe briefly the developement of the 

 embryo in this species, which, as it is the largest, is the most 

 easily observed. The period when the deposit of the eggs 

 commences depends upon the season ; but the time when the 

 greater number are produced, is during the months of May 

 and June ; and it is worthy of notice, that the diflferent spe- 

 cies of Newt are found depositing their eggs during a much 

 longer period of the summer than the ecaudate amphibia, 

 such as the Frog and Toad. At the time I have mentioned, 

 if the leaves of various species of aquatic plants be observed, 

 many of them will be found folded together, and within the 

 fold a single egg of the Newt wdll be discovered. It is, 

 however, necessary for accurate observation from the com- 

 mencement, that the female Newt be taken and placed in a 

 vessel of water with the plants in question, that she may 

 deposit the egg under the eye of the observer. The best 



