COMMON AVARTY-NEAVT. 127 



and the lungs are in tlie same proportion developed, until at 

 length, towards the close of autumn, the young animal has 

 acquired its perfect condition, and has quitted its aquatic for 

 an atmospheric mode of respiration. In fact, like the Tad- 

 pole of the Frog, the metamorphosis of which we have already 

 traced, it has passed from the state of a fish, to that of a 

 reptile.* 



This species is much more durably aquatic in its habits 

 than the common smaller one, Lissotriton punctahis. It 

 occasionally, indeed, leaves the water, and I have found it 

 hibernating under stones ; but I believe this is not usual ; it 

 commonly remains torpid at the bottom of ponds and ditches, 

 until the warmth of spring recalls it into activity. During 

 this season of retirement, the male loses his fine dorsal crest, 

 and the web of the tail also becomes considerably dimi- 

 nished ; but even before the return of the warm season, this 

 characteristic sexual ornament becomes developed, to be again 

 lost in the following winter. It does not fall off; but, like 

 the tail of the Tadpole, is gradually absorbed. The Newts 

 shed their skin in the same way as other aquatic amphibia; 

 it comes off in shreds, and is washed away as it becomes 

 loose. 



The head of this species is flattened ; the muzzle obtuse 

 and rounded ; the gape nearly straight, and extending a little 

 beyond the eyes ; teeth numerous, minute ; the upper lip 

 slightly pendulous, covering the margin of the under jaw 

 when the mouth is closed, but not forming a distinct lobe. 

 The trunk is continuous with the head, the neck being only 



* In the peiennibranchiate forms of the Amphibia, such as the Siren, the 

 Proteus, and others, the developement of the sanguiferous and respiratory 

 systems is arrested at that point of their growth which we have just been ob- 

 serving in the present animal, at figure 9, at the point where the lungs have 

 just begun to assume their functions, and before tlie branchice have undergone 

 any diminution in their volume. Here they permanently remain ; and exhibit 

 the extraordinary phenomenon of co-existent pulmonary and branchial re- 

 spiration. 



