Mr. J. Higginbottom on the British Tritons. 383 



and only become fully developed in May and June, at which 

 time they leave the water. This fact can only be proved satis- 

 factorily in those pools where there are only the Triton Icevis or 

 the Triton minor ; if the Triton asper were in the same pools, 

 the tadpoles would fall victims to their voracity before they 

 arrived at their full development. 



During several unusually mild days at the latter end of De- 

 cember 1850 and January ]851, I saw that three of the full- 

 grown Tritons had left their place of hibernation and were in the 

 shallow part of the pool ; they only remained there a few days. 



In conclusion 1 have endeavoured to prove — 



1st. That there are only two species of Triton in the midland 

 counties of England. 



2nd. That the tadpole of the Triton remains in the water 

 until the branchiae are absorbed and the legs become sufficiently 

 strong to enable it to leave that element, and does not usually 

 return to it again until the expiration of the third year. 



3rd. That during three years it is a land animal, in a state 

 of activity in the summer, and of hibernation during the winter. 



4th. That the Triton is three years before it propagates its 

 species, and four years in arriving at its full growth. 



5th. That it revisits the water in the spring for the purpose 

 of reproduction and leaves it early in autumn. 



6tii. That fecundation is accomplished through the medium 

 of water, and not by actual contact. 



7th. That a very dry or a very wet situation are both fatal to 

 the Triton when in a state of hibernation. 



8th. That the habits and changes of the new Triton are in 

 accordance with the other species. 



Nottingham, Oct. 14, 1853. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATES XV. and XXI. 



Figs. 1 & 2. Triton asper of the first and second year's g:ro\vth. 



Fig. 3. The male Triton asper of three years' growth during the season of 

 reproduction, with a small crest and a persistent silvery stripe on 

 the tail. 



F^. 4. The male Triton asper of four years' growth during the season of 

 reproduction, with a full crest and expanded tail of a lanceolate 

 shape. 



Fig. 5. The male Triton asper of four years after leaving the water prepa- 

 ratorj- to hibernation, the crest and the expansion of the tail 

 being absorbed. 



Fig. 6. The full-grown male Triton Icevis during the season of reproduc- 

 tion, with crest and fringed hind toes. 



Fig. 7. The full-grown male Triton leevis after it quits the water, prepara- 

 tory to its hibernation, destitute of crest and of the fringe on the 

 hind toes. 



Fig. 8. The full-grown male Triton minor during the season of re- 



