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275 
its extremity, sends forward a current of water, which 
carries with it the fertilizing germs, and these are carried by the 
water into the oviduct of the female. é 
Cannibalism occurs among newt tadpoles. I have seen an 
embryo Great Water Newt devour two tadpolos of lesser newts 
without the least apparent inconvenience, but adult newts 
cannot swallow each other. I have found a Great Water 
Newt choked by the head and shoulders of a Palmate Newt 
sticking in her gullet. 
The skins of newts are generally shed when the water in 
an aquarium which they occupy is changed. The skins are 
then seen floating in the water, and may be floated over pieces 
of glass, which, on being raised, will retain the skins. The 
water must be carefully removed. 
The newt is preyed upon by the snake, but in support of 
my view that snakes rarely eat toads I may mention that I have 
only possessed one snake which would eat a Great Water Newt. 
The skin of this newt contains an acrid secretion similar to 
but less virulent than that contained in the skin of the toad, 
and, with the exception mentioned, my snakes, when they acci- 
dentally seized a Triton, always released him with movements 
which were clearly indicative of nausea. But Mr Alfred Paine 
informs me that five snakes kept by him would readily eat 
Great Water Newts, although he is not sure that they then 
had the opportunity of taking other food, whereas mine could 
always take one of the smaller newts when they were hungry. 
I may add that when any of my snakes became thin or indis- 
posed they were immediately liberated in suitable localities. 
I have not been able to recollect any further observations 
which might be considered interesting. No description of the 
early stages of life in the frog aud toad has been given, as 
the life history of these reptiles is fairly notorious. 
It only remains for me to thank those gentlemen who have 
assisted me with the loan of specimens, Mr Wethered, who 
offered to look through this paper, and to whom it was sent 
for perusal, and all those gentlemen present who have kindly 
listened to my remarks. 
s 
