148 OUR REPTILES. 



twelve coiled together. I have observed that either a very wet 

 or very dry situation is fatal to the triton during its state of 

 hybernation, and that a moderately damp one is always chosen 

 for that state of existence. 



When in this state respiration is very low, and is 

 believed to be carried on through the pores of the 

 skin. No food is taken or required during this 

 period, and the body is comparatively stiff. Tritons 

 of the third and subsequent years usually hybernate 

 in company, a number of them being rolled together 

 into a lump as large as a cricket ball. Those of an 

 earlier period seem to descend deeper into the earth, 

 and hybernate singly. 



When these batrachia are kept in confinement, it 

 will be supposed, from what has already been stated, 

 that the aquarium is not the best place for them 

 except in the tadpole state, or the breeding season for 

 mature specimens ; but that they should be kept in 

 a case under some arrangement that water may be 

 sought of their own will when desired, and that 

 during the winter some provision should be made for 

 their hybernation, under somewhat similar conditions 

 to those enjoyed in the natural state. To force them 

 at some periods of their life to exist in water is 

 something like endeavouring to compel eels to live 

 on land, and exchange their fishy habits for those of 

 a snake. The snake may love to lie in water some- 

 times, but it still remains terrestrial, and the eel 



