British reptiles, amphibians, and fresh-water fishes . they have the habit of reproducing a Hmb if one, or more, should be lost. In Newts there is no actual union between the male and female, as the latter seizes the receptacles containing the spermatozoa produced by the male, and transfers them to her own reproductive chamber. In swimming, Newts make free use of the all-important tail, hence its full development and retention all through life. The dress is brown, or olive above, spotted with darker colour on the body, and streaked on the head. The under parts, if an orange48 PALMATED AND GREA
British reptiles, amphibians, and fresh-water fishes . they have the habit of reproducing a Hmb if one, or more, should be lost. In Newts there is no actual union between the male and female, as the latter seizes the receptacles containing the spermatozoa produced by the male, and transfers them to her own reproductive chamber. In swimming, Newts make free use of the all-important tail, hence its full development and retention all through life. The dress is brown, or olive above, spotted with darker colour on the body, and streaked on the head. The under parts, if an orange48 PALMATED AND GREAT WATER NEWTS line dividing the upper from the lower parts is excepted,are uncoloured. If any markings are present, they willbe a few small dots of blackish. The male has this lattercolour also on the back part of the crest, and its hind feetare the same. On the under part of the crest the maleis bluish-grey, and the female orange. After sheddingits skin frequently, the Palmated Newt, as with its con-geners, comes to land, when it assumes a much more. maiC/ lejnnale sombre hue. It is during the breeding season that these amphibians are seen at their best, both in regard to marking and ornate crest. The length of the Palmated Newt rarely exceeds 3 inches. Great Water Newt.—Triton cristatus (Figs. 27 and 28). Also called Crested, Great Crested, and Great Warty Newt. It is easily the largest species of the three found in Britain, attaining a length of 5 to 6 inches, though the female often exceeds this, and is the larger of the two. 49 BRITISH AMPHIBIANS It spends about a fourth of the year in water, and duringhibernation several adults—evidently firm believers inthe old motto that union is strength —may be foundclinging together. The young, hov^ever, seem to prefersolitary confinement, passing the torpid state in anyconvenient retreat out of harms way. Newts, it should be noted, never seize their prey un-less it is in motion, and in capturing same they display,as has alread
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