222 FAUNA OF SHROPSHIRE 



in three branches on each side. As before stated, they 

 are much longer than Frogs in attaining the adult form, 

 and retain the gills after all the limbs have grown see 

 the Introduction to this chapter for details of the 

 metamorphoses. Even when the young Newt does at 

 length leave its native pond and begin its terrestrial 

 existence it is not really adult. It grows so slowly that 

 it does not attain its full size till the fourth year, and it 

 probably does not breed before its third year. The 

 process of egg-laying in the Newt is usually as follows : 

 the female places her body with the outlet of her oviduct 

 upon the flat side of the leaf of some water-plant, such as 

 Callitriche verna, and with her two hind-legs presses the 

 leaf against her body; as soon as the egg is laid, she 

 slightly raises the body to allow room for the folding of 

 the leaf round the egg ; this is effected by bending the 

 edges of the leaf over, and holding them with the hind 

 feet pressed upon the egg. In about three minutes the 

 leaf adheres to the glutinous envelope, and is thus kept 

 in position. The newt then swims away, but has been 

 observed to return, as if to make sure that all was right 

 and gently press the leaf over the egg with her lips. 

 The above is the usual process, but the eggs are not 

 always laid singly, while if there are no suitable weeds 

 available, the Newt will lay its eggs amongst moss or 

 grass close to the edge of the water. In such cases as 

 many as eight are sometimes found together. The Great 

 "Warty Newt differs from the other two species in having 

 the skin covered with warts and pimples, similar to those 

 found on the Toad. They are of the same nature, their 

 function being to secrete the acrid fluid with the dis- 

 agreeable smell noticed in that animal, which, by render- 



