WAITE: VERTEBRATES OF THE WESTERN AINSTY. 16 ei 
Lacerta vivipara Jacq. Common Lizard. Viviparous 
izard. Having found this reptile in many places within the 
district, I believe it is generally distributed throughout ; but it 
is certainly not common. 
Anguis fragilis Linn. Slow-worm. Blindworm. The only 
place in the district where I have met with the Slow-worm is in 
an old sand-quarry near to Thorp Arch, where it is not 
uncommon. I am told, however, that it also occurs at 
Collingham. 
AMPHIBIANS. 
Triton cristatus Laur. Great Crested Newt. Mr. John 
Harrison tells me that it occurs at Wilstrop, and I am informed 
by the Rev. J. W. Chaloner that he has seen it at Newton Kyme, 
and by Mr. F. G. Binnie that it was to be found in 
some ponds around Tadcaster in 1872. The only place 
in the district where I have met with it is in an old 
tan-pond near Walton, but it is far from common. I have kept 
several in the aquarium which I got there, and ee that 
they cast their skins every time the water was changed. In 
‘ British Reptiles,’ p. 127, Professor Bell writes oe The Newts 
shed their skin in the same way as other aquatic amphibia ; 
it comes off in shreds, and is washed away as it becomes loose.’ 
This has not been my experience ; all my Newts (7. cristatus) 
have cast their skins whole, and I have mounted one or two 
skins which are perfect, even to the toes. 
Triton tzniatus (Schneid.). Smooth Newt. Locally called 
Askern. Common in every suitable pond and cattle-trough 
throughout the district. 
Bufo vulgaris Laur. Common Toad. Common and generally 
distributed throughout the district. 
Rana temporaria I.inn. Common Frog. Extremely abundant 
in all parts of the district. 
FISHES. 
Acipenser sturio Linn. Sturgeon. ‘This, our only British 
ganoid, has occurred in the Wharfe as high as Arthington, but 
not since the weirs have been constructed. Mr. John Emmet tells 
me that he remembers one being obtained at Boston Spa, which 
weighed fifteen stones. Another example was landed at Stutton 
Mill, near Tadcaster. 
acces 
April 18yr. 
