Class III. WARTY LIZARD. 31 



state we describe, but are uncertain whether we 

 ever met with it under the form of a larva* We 

 have more than once found under stones and 

 old logs, some very minute young lizards that 

 had much the appearance of this kind ; they 

 were perfectly formed, and had not the least 

 vestiges of fins; so that circumstance, joined to 

 their being found in a dry place, remote from 

 water, makes us imagine them to have never 

 been inhabitants of that element, as it is certain 

 many of our lizards are in their first state. At 

 that period they have a fin above and below 

 their tail ; that on the upper part extends along 

 the back as far as the head, but both drop off 

 as soon as the animal takes to the land, being 

 then no longer of any use. Besides these cir- 

 cumstances that attend them in form of a larva, 

 Mr. Ellis-f has remarked certain pennated finsj 

 at the gills of one very common in most of our 

 stagnating waters, and which is frequently ob- 

 served to take a bait like a fish. 



* The water newt deposits in the spring two strings of eggs, 

 connected by a viscous matter, in which also they are separately 

 enveloped ; in these the embryo is soon visible, and is hatched in 

 about eight or ten days according to the warmth of the season. 

 These animals very frequently cast their skins. The common 

 newt or brown Lizard is said to be viviparous. 



t Phil Trans, vol. Ivi. p. 191. 



X These branchial processes are supposed to assist the respira- 

 tion of the larva during its growing state, after which they are 

 obliterated. Ed. 



