BATRACHIANS OF THE VICINITY OF NEW YORK 181 
proportion to the front limb. In female specimens the front and 
hind limbs are of nearly equal size. During the autumn the 
males acquire a peculiar series of hard ridges along the inner sur- 
face of the hind limbs. This growth is more pronounced during 
the breeding season when it is clearly discernible as a raised, 
black process of skin, with a rough surface like the angular edge 
of a file. Total length, 3% inches; length of tail, 24 inches. 
Range: Eastern United States and southern Canada. 
Local Distribution: General, in ponds and lakes. 
In this immediate vicinity, the Water Newt is a strictly 
aquatic creature, unless, on account of unusual summer heat, the 
waters of its pond evaporate, when it takes shelter under stones 
or pieces of bark and in such damp places awaits the refilling of 
its pond by the fall rains. 
The species breeds in the early spring, depositing the eggs 
singly orin pairs. The eggs are covered with a glutinous envelope 
and are deposited in such a manner that they adhere to the 
leaves of aquatic plants. The larve possess branching gills like 
those of the larve of the true salamanders. These gills often 
persist until the animals have reached a length of three inches or 
more, although absorption usually occurs when the larva is about 
two inches in length. Thus the transformation appears to be 
irregular, and not infrequently perfectly developed Water Newts 
are found that are barely one and one-half inches in length. 
The metamorphosis is undoubtedly hastened by the warmth of 
shallow ponds. After the gills have disappeared, the matured 
individual continues to lead an aquatic life, although if forci- 
bly removed from the water and kept in a damp place, it will 
live for an indefinite time, breathing with a rapid trembling 
of the throat, which is the same as the respiratory gulping of 
the frogs. 
The Red Eft, or Mountain “ Lizard,’ Diemyctylus viridescens 
miniatus Raf. (Fig. 15), is a Water Newt which has deserted the 
ponds in mountainous districts and has taken up life in peg Eft, or 
the damp woods. It is not, however, a distinct variety, Mountain 
since its terrestrial existence is irregular, and it fre- “ Lizard.” 
quently returns to the water to lead an aquatic life. The Red 
