BEPTILES. 



255 



The remainder of the British Amphibia belongs to tlie 

 family Salamandridse, and consists of four species of Newts;, 

 of which one only (Lissotriton punctatus) appears to be gene- 

 rally distributed in Ireland, In the northern parts it is well 

 known by the name of " Mankeeper," and is regarded by the 

 uneducated with apprehension, from the erroneous idea that it 

 is prone to jump down the throat of any one whom it may find 

 sleeping. 



The metamorphosis of the Newts 

 is so similar to that of the Frogs, 

 that any detail on the subject is 

 unnecessaiy. The leaf-like tufts that 

 float in the water {Fiff. 218) are 

 different in form, though alike in 

 fimction. But it is not only in ex- 

 ternal figure that the changes of the 

 amphibia are remarkable ; those in 

 internal structure are to the physio- 

 logist ev^eu more interesting. The 

 important function of circulation 

 must of course be adapted to that 

 of respiration. Each change in 

 the one necessarily involves a corres- 

 ponding modification of the other. 

 It is not our intention to go into any 

 minute anatomical details ; we would only refer to the accom- 

 panying figures to show the nature and extent of these in- 

 ternal changes. In the first {Fig. 219) the blood-vessels of 



Fig. 218. 



Fig. 219. 



the Tadpole are shown in an early stage ; the second {Fig. 

 220) in a more advanced state, and with those arteries which 

 are to convey the blood to the lungs greatly increased in size. 



