270 URODELA. — SALAMANDRADiE. 



These creatures do not, however, like some of 

 the snakes, put off the coverings of the eyes 

 along with the skin ; for two round holes 

 always appear where the eyes have been. This 

 operation occupies nearly half an hour ; and 

 after it is finished, the Newt appears in full 

 vigour. If the skin be not taken away very 

 shortly after it is cast, the animal usually swal- 

 lows it. Sometimes it begins with the head 

 part first ; and the tail, being filled with air 

 and water, becomes like a blown bladder, and 

 proves so unmanageable, that it is very diverting 

 to see the pains it costs to discharge these, and 

 to reduce it to a condition to pass down the 

 throat. 



M. Dufay informs us, that it frequently happens 

 to a Newt, not to be able to get the old skins 

 removed from one of the feet ; and that the 

 portion of the skin which remains, becoming 

 corrupted, often occasions a species of gangrene 

 in the foot. This foot soon afterwards falls 

 off; but instead of killing the animal, it is, in 

 a little while, replaced by another. Newts are 

 still more liable to lose their toes in this manner. 

 The cast skins of Newts are frequently to be seen 

 floating on the surface of stagnant waters. 



The Smooth-newt feeds on the larvae of water- 

 insects, the grubs of gnats, blood-worms, &c., on 

 flies and gnats that alight on the water, on the 

 spawn of frogs and toads, as well as on slugs. In 

 its turn it becomes the prey of a kindred species, 

 the Great Warty -newt {Triton cristatus). 



