GREAT WATER NEWT. 143 



ing in its geographical distribution from Italy 

 to Sweden ; is plentiful all through Italy and 

 Switzerland, and is not uncommon in the South 

 of France, Belgium, and Carniola. 



Any one who has paid the slightest attention 

 to the British newts, will at least have noticed this 

 rough-skinned species and the common smooth 

 newt. It is now upwards of twelve years since 

 a very patient and earnest observer made pets of 

 the British tritons, and studied closely their 

 habits and changes through a period of five 

 years. Since we cannot lay claim to any such 

 close and continued observation, the principal 

 facts of our history of this species will be derived 

 from this source, which is the most complete and 

 authentic account we possess. 



To commence with the egg, we learn that the 

 ova begin to be deposited as early as the begin- 

 ning of April, and continue to be deposited until 

 the first or second week in July. These ova are 

 carefully enclosed, singly, in the folds caused by 

 the bending together of the leaves of certain 

 aquatic plants. Those most favourable for this 

 purpose have been found to be Water Speedwell 

 (Veronica anagallis) and long grasses. If the 

 leaf be too pliable and soft, it opens and exposes 

 the ovum so that it perishes; if too rigid, the 

 triton is unable to bend or break the fibres so 

 as to fold it conveniently. 



