GEEAT WATEE NEWT. 145 



stances, especially temperature, exert consider- 

 able influence upon the growth of the embryo, 

 and either hasten or retard its development. 

 When the tadpole leaves the ovum it swims away 

 freely, and either attaches itself to the sides or 

 falls to the bottom of the vessel. It soon com- 

 mences to feed voraciously, is not at all particular 

 about its diet, and will devour the tadpoles of 

 the smooth newt with no compunction on account 

 of their near relationship. " I have seen the 

 warty triton," says Mr. Higginbottom,* " in its 

 branchial state with three of the smaller species 

 in its stomach at one time." The legs appear 

 to be very tardy in their development, and until 

 they possess sufficient strength to support the 

 reptile on land it continues to inhabit the water 

 in its fish-like state. It is not until three months 

 after their exclusion from the egg that the triton- 

 tadpoles give any evidence of their quadrupedal 

 tendencies. Even at this period the hind legs 

 are exceedingly delicate, though the fore legs are 

 developed in as many weeks. When the legs 

 are all fully formed the branchiae are absorbed, 

 the gills are closed, and the triton emerges upon 

 dry land to enter upon its terrestrial existence. 



* " On the Influence of Physical Agents on the Develop- 

 ment of the Triton." Philosophical Transactions, 1850 

 part ii. p. 431. 



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