FROGS. 283 



The Smooth. Newt (Lissotriton punctatus} likewise abounds in our ditches and 

 ponds, in which it may be seen throughout the summer, crawling on the bottom, 

 climbing the stems of plants, swimming with a wriggling motion through the water, or 

 coming to the surface to breathe air. The male frequently displays the under surface 

 of his body, which is of a rich orange, studded over, as is the olive-coloured back, 

 with round black spots. HLs tail in spring-time is bordered with a fin-like expansion, 

 and is often tipped with bright red and violet. The female deposits her eggs on the 

 leaves of aquatic plants, which she folds up in a curious manner and glues together as 

 a protection to the soft and shelless eggs. There is a curious superstition current 

 among the Irish peasantry: they believe that this newt has a propensity to jump 

 down their throats, make a lodging in their stomach, and to multiply there in a frightful 

 manner. The remedy is to find a stream running directly south, and to lean over it 

 with the mouth open, when the "efts" will come out, one by one, and plunge into 

 the water ! 



TAILLESS BATRACHIAXS. AXOURA.* 



The total absence of the least vestige of a tail, and their short, 

 squat, bread shape, their great heads, huge mouths, and strong 

 muscular limbs, are sufficient to identify Frogs and Toads any- 



. 



- 



FIG. 305. --FROG. 



where, especially as in these particulars they differ so widely from 

 any other member of their class. But these characters apply only 

 to the adult animals ; in the tadpole condition, an unscientific 



* z, a, :< W.out; oi'pd, oura, a tail. 



