Leaking and jerking

I took the chance for a quick run out in the car at the weekend - it was dry, sunny and very cold.  The car ran well, I can never get enough of that V8 sound.  But I have 2 questions that I need to answer;

• what is the clear fluid that is leaking from the bottom of the engine bay?
• and why does the automatic gearbox jerk when I initially put it into drive or reverese?

Could it be that they are connected or 2 distinct problems.  It will have to wait for the next dry sunny weekend for me to explore some more.