BATRACHIANS OF THE VICINITY OF NEW YORK i8i 



proportion to the front limb. In female specimens the front and 

 hind limbs are of nearly equal size. During the autumn the 

 males acquire a pectiliar series of hard ridges along the inner sur- 

 face of the hind limbs. This growth is more pronounced during 

 the breeding season when it is clearly discernible as a raised, 

 black process of skin, with a rough surface like the angular edge 

 of a file. Total length, i\ inches; length of tail, 2\ inches. 



Range: Eastern United States and southern Canada. 



Local Distribution: General, in ponds and lakes. 



In this immediate vicinity, the Water Newt is a strictly 

 aquatic creature, unless, on account of unusual summer heat, the 

 waters of its pond evaporate, when it takes shelter under stones 

 or pieces of bark and in such damp places awaits the refilling of 

 its pond by the fall rains. 



The species breeds in the early spring, depositing the eggs 

 singly or in pairs. The eggs are covered with a glutinous envelope 

 and are deposited in such a manner that they adhere to the 

 leaves of aquatic plants. The lar\'re possess branching gills like 

 those of the lar\'£e of the true salamanders. These gills often 

 persist until the animals have reached a length of three inches or 

 more, although absorption usually occurs when the lar\'a is about 

 two inches in length. Thus the transformation appears to be 

 irregular, and not infrequently perfectly developed Water Newts 

 are found that are barely one and one-half inches in length. 

 The metamorphosis is undoubtedly hastened by the warmth of 

 shallow ponds. After the gills have disappeared, the matured 

 individual continues to lead an aquatic life, although if forci- 

 bly removed from the water and kept in a damp place, it will 

 live for an indefinite time, breathing with a rapid trembling 

 of the throat, which is the same as the respiratory gulping of 

 the frogs. 



The Red Eft, or Mountain "Lizard," Diemyctylits viridescens 

 miniatus Raf. (Fig. 15), is a Water Newt which has deserted the 

 ponds in mountainous districts and has taken up life in j^^^ ^^^ ^^ 

 the damp woods. It is not, however, a distinct variety. Mountain 

 since its terrestrial existence is irregular, and it fre- " Lizard." 

 quently returns to the water to lead an aquatic life. The Red 



[27] 



