BRITISH AMPHIBIANS 
additional segment owing to the elongation of the astra- 
galus and calcareum in the metatarsus.” This is all 
important to the student of anatomy, and is A.B.C. 
to the scientist, but to the general reader it is useless 
information, likely to deter him from following our story 
any further. Frog and Toad tadpoles are born with 
tails, and possess these essential appendages during the 
first part of their existence. Gradually, however, the 
tail, or rather its constituents, are absorbed, and eventually 
disappear altogether. The Caudata (Newts), however, 
are differently fashioned, having narrow lizard-like 
bodies, to which is attached throughout the whole of life 
a prominent caudal appendage, which is of distinct 
service in helping the somewhat sluggish creature to 
propel itself through the water. Some members of the 
Caudata have teeth, others are toothless. Some again 
have only two limbs, others have four. Some have 
moveable eyelids, others do not possess any. ‘These 
remarks do not, however, refer to our British species of 
Newts, all of which have two pairs of limbs, teeth in 
both jaws, and moveable eyelids. ‘The metamorphoses 
through which Frogs, Toads, and Newts pass is one of the 
most wonderful events in the whole realm of wild life, 
and perhaps passes our comprehension more than the 
marvellous processes undergone by an insect before 
it reaches the perfect state. Whilst Frog’s eggs are 
deposited in masses, a familiar enough object in early 
Spring in any wayside pond, those of its first cousin, the 
Toad, are laid in strings. Very beautiful objects these 
28 
