BRITISH AMPHIBIANS 



faster on the ground. The Natterjack is more in- 

 dependent of water than its relatives, only resorting to it 

 for spawning purposes. 



ORDER CAUDATA, FAMILY SALAMANDRID^ 



Smooth Newt. — Triton vulgaris (Figs. 23 and 24). 



This is the most famihar British species, and there are 



few ponds which do not contain examples during Spring 



and Summer. Newts produce their eggs later than 



Frogs and Toads, May and June being the months 



usually selected. The Smooth Newt occurs in Ireland, 



as well as on the mainland, and differs from the two 



following species by depositing several eggs — from four 



to six — in a string. These are attached to the roots 



of aquatic plants at the bed of the water, whereas the eggs 



of the Palmated and Great Water Newts are wrapped 



singly in a leaf as mentioned in the introduction to this 



section. Newt- tadpoles may be known by having a 



couple of black stripes along the back, but in the case of 



Tritoji vulgaris the tadpole is distinguished by a number of 



yellow dots. Contrary to the development of Frog and 



Toad tadpoles, those of Newts produce the front pair of 



legs previous to the advent of the hind ones, an exactly 



reverse action. The latter do not appear for several 



weeks after the advent of the front pair, and it takes some 

 46 



