134 SALAMANDRID.E. 



animals and their shells, has long since been very properly 

 exploded, and as the application of the name Triton to a 

 genus of Buccinoid Mollusca, although universally adopted, 

 is of later date than its application to the animals now under 

 consideration, it must be retained by these. 



The whole of the Salamandrida require a thorough ex- 

 amination, in order that the relations of the different groups 

 may be properly appreciated, and their characters fully estab- 

 lished. Much has lately been done by M. Tschudi, of Neuf- 

 chatel, but much remains yet to be done ; and there is no 

 doubt that the same extensive information, and the same deep 

 research, which have characterised the volumes hitherto pub- 

 lished of the " Histoire des Reptiles," of Messrs. Dumeril 

 and Bibron, will not be wanting in the Classification and 

 History of the Amphibia, which will form a portion of that 

 work, and will, I hope, appear very soon. From the consi- 

 derations already stated, I think it necessary to separate 

 under a new generic name, the two species of Smooth-skinned 

 Newts inhabiting this country, as they present many struc- 

 tural distinctions from the large tuberculated species already 

 described. These distinctions are briefly given in the ge- 

 neric character at the head of this article, and appear to me 

 sufficiently important to warrant the view I have taken. 



The Common, or Small Newt, is found in almost every ditch 

 and pond, especially in those in which the waters are clean, in 

 considerable numbers ; and affords food to the larger species 

 just described, as well as to different kinds of fish. Its own 

 food consists of small aquatic insects, 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 



