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 axille 
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 branchiz 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 
L 
