358 lOHTHYOPSIDA. 



time the Natterjack was common in many localities around 

 London. It can at once be told by its olive tint, darkened 

 on the flanks with a marked pale yellow stripe running down 

 the back, the under parts yellow, with black spots, and there 

 are dark bands on the legs. The warts on the dorsum are 

 reddish-brown. 



In the RcDtiihi^ or Frogs the upper jaw carries teeth. The 

 hind-legs are enormously developed and adapted for leaping, the 

 toes always webbed ; the toes of the fore-limbs are free. The 

 Common Frog [Rrxna temporal' iu), which is our common species, 

 is found over nearly the whole of Europe, N'orth Asia, 2vorth 

 .Vfrica, and North America. The adults hibernate in all manner 



Fig. 201.— Male Crested Newt (Triton cristatus). (Nicholson.) 



of moist situations — especially in mud, in dykes, and pools — 

 until the spring, when they come forth and soon commence to 

 breed and to deposit the gelatinous spawn in large masses in the 

 water. The development and growth of the tadpole have been 

 previously described. 



The Frog often wanders far from water, but they must have 

 a certain amount of damp to flourish. They are most beneficial 

 in gardens, feeding oil" all kinds of vermin, and should be 

 encouraged with the Toad. 



.Imongst tlie Uroih'ht. wo have in Britain two woll-known 

 species, the Great Cicsted NeAvt ('I'ritoii crisfafiis) and the 

 Common Newt or "lift" [Lii^aotritun tinninhta). The Water- 

 Salamanders or Tritons have a compressed fish-like tail, and 



