74 HALF-HOURS IN THE GREEN LANES. 



back begin to show itself. Then also, the tail 

 expands, and a permanent silver stripe appears 

 along each side. Mr. Higginbottom states that the 

 triton does not return to the water till the end of 

 the third year, when it begins the work of repro- 

 ducing its species. It then becomes extremely 

 voracious, and the male assumes its full crest, 

 which, however, only lasts three months, as it 

 disappears when the female has deposited the ova, 

 and both sexes then return to a terrestrial existence 



Fig. 



Male of Smooth Newt. 



until the following spring. During winter they 

 hybernate, generally in some damp spot, where 

 scores may sometimes be found rolled together into 

 a ball. At this period, respiration is very low, and 

 is carried on by the external surface of the skin. 

 No food is taken, as none is required ; extra tissue 

 having been laid up against this emergency. 



The common Smooth Newt is that which is 

 generally known as the " Eft" (Lissotriton punc- 

 tatus); with us it is by far the commonest of its 

 kind. Its skin is smooth, and thus it may always 



