SALAMANDERS. 



267 



with large round blackish spots : on the head are 

 two stripes. The crest, which is notched along 

 the edge, is often tipped in spring with bright 

 red or violet. The female is light yellowish 

 brown, with scattered brown dots, which are 

 frequently wanting on the belly. 



SMOOTH-NEWT. 



Early in the spring the crest of the male 

 assumes a size and hue which make him a con- 

 spicuous object ; and he may be seen pursuing 

 the other sex through the water, frequently 

 doubling his fin-like tail forwards in a sort of 

 bight or loop, and vibrating it with a rapid 

 tremulous motion. Soon after this the female 

 begins to deposit her eggs, which she does on 

 the leaves of water-plants, sometimes selecting 



