BRITISH AMPHIBIANS 



additional segment owing to the elongation of the astra- 

 galus and calcareum in the metatarsus." This is all 

 important to the student of anatomy, and is A. B.C. 

 to the scientist, but to the general reader it is useless 

 information, likely to deter him from following our story 

 any further. Frog and Toad tadpoles are born with 

 tails, and possess these essential appendages during the 

 first part of their existence. Gradually, however, the 

 tail, or rather its constituents, are absorbed, and eventually 

 disappear altogether. The Caudata (Newts), however, 

 are differently fashioned, having narrow lizard-Hke 

 bodies, to which is attached throughout the whole of life 

 a prominent caudal appendage, which is of distinct 

 service in helping the somewhat sluggish creature to 

 propel itself through the water. Some members of the 

 Caudata have teeth, others are toothless. Some again 

 have only two Hmbs, others have four. Some have 

 moveable eyelids, others do not possess any. These 

 remarks do not, however, refer to our British species of 

 Newts, all of which have two pairs of Hmbs, teeth in 

 both jaws, and moveable eyelids. The metamorphoses 

 through which Frogs, Toads, and Newts pass is one of the 

 most wonderful events in the whole realm of wild life, 

 and perhaps passes our comprehension more than the 

 marvellous processes undergone by an insect before 

 it reaches the perfect state. Whilst Frog's eggs are 

 deposited in masses, a familiar enough object in early 

 Spring in any wayside pond, those of its first cousin, the 



Toad, are laid in strings. Very beautiful objects these 

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