AMPHIBIANS 



Fig. 286. — A. — Young frog tadpole showing i, 

 gills ; 2 , fin ; and 3 , suckers . B . — Larva of salamander 

 {Amhy stoma) with I, gills; 2, fin; 3, balancers; and 4, 

 front legs. 



different species. This involves great changes in any amphi- 

 bian, the development of legs and lungs, absorption of gills 

 and shifts in the circulation, and in toads and frogs, a dif- 

 ferent shaping of the mouth and a new kind of teeth, the 

 absorption of the tail and a making over of the food canal 

 (Fig. 284). The insect-catching toad has a digestive system 

 which is very different from that of the alga-eating tadpole. 



Suggestions for aquarium and vivarium study. — In the 

 following table the months named are those in which these 

 frogs and salamanders are most easily captured but they can 

 be found at other times too. 



March to April. — Eggs and larvae, spotted salamander, 

 Amhystoma maculatum (PL XIX). With a lens the blood 

 can be seen circulatirig in their gills even before they hatch 

 out of the jelly. In an aquarium larvag at first only need 

 plenty of water and a few plants to oxygenate it (p. 39). 

 When they are older they can be fed on small crustaceans and 

 worms (EnchytrceidcB). 



April to May and September to October. — Adult spotted 

 newts, Triturus viridescens (PL XIX), will live the year round 

 in shallow water with a stone or two placed in it so that they 

 can climb out. They mate readily in the aquarium either in 



351 



