BRITISH AMPHIBIANS 
faster on the ground. The Natterjack is more in- 
dependent of water than its relatives, only resorting to it 
for spawning purposes. 
ORDER CAUDATA, FAMILY SALAMANDRIDZ 
Smooth Newt.— Triton vulgaris (Figs. 23 and 24). 
This is the most familiar British species, and there are 
few ponds which do not contain examples during Spring 
and Summer. Newts produce their eggs later than 
Frogs and Toads, May and June being the months 
usually selected. ‘The Smooth Newt occurs in Ireland, 
as well as on the mainland, and differs from the two 
following species by depositing several eggs—from four 
to six-—-in a string. ‘These are attached to the roots 
of aquatic plants at the bed of the water, whereas the eggs 
of the Palmated and Great Water Newts are wrapped 
singly in a leaf as mentioned in the introduction to this 
section. Newt-tadpoles may be known by having a 
couple of black stripes along the back, but in the case of 
Triton vulgaris the tadpole is distinguished by a number of 
yellow dots. Contrary to the development of Frog and 
Toad tadpoles, those of Newts produce the front pair of 
legs previous to the advent of the hind ones, an exactly 
reverse action. ‘The latter do not appear for several 
weeks after the advent of the front pair, and it takes some 
46 
