148 OUR EEPTILES. 



whilst the weight is more than doubled at the 

 close of the second year, but little more than 

 one-third is added during the third year, whilst 

 in the fourth year three -fourths of the prior 

 year's weight becomes superadded. 



At the close of March the perfect triton again 

 resumes its predilections for the water, and 

 returns to an aquatic life. At this period it 

 becomes voracious, the male is full crested, with 

 which appendage the female, generally the 

 largest, is not adorned. After a little more than 

 three months of this second life in the water, the 

 crest of the male diminishes to a mere ridge, the 

 female has deposited her ova, and both return 

 again to a terrestrial existence until the following 

 and succeeding years. Thus are the phases of 

 their existence passed, and there is little reason 

 to wonder at the fact that the same species 

 should have been regarded as distinct in some of 

 these stages when the history of their career 

 was unknown, and their metamorphoses little 

 understood. 



Hitherto we have not specially referred to the 

 period of hybernation. Prior to this there is a 

 general meeting of all ages, which occurs at no 

 other period of the year, and takes place about 

 the month of September. 



In the summer the tritons are found in abundance in 

 old brick-yards. The brickmakers, who are constantly dis- 



