The eggs arc deposited on the under sides of boards, logs, or 

 stones lying in twt) tt) four feet of water. The female turns upside 

 down to go into her own nest or a communal one. There she lays 

 her ninety or more eggs upon the roof of the nest. Depending upon 

 conditions, the eggs may be spread over an area over 300 mm. in 

 diameter or crowded into a space half that wide. An egg is about 

 7 mm. in diameter, but with its envelopes is about 1 1 mm. wide, 

 and hangs to a length of about 1 5 mm. The egg is unpigmented. 

 Hatching takes place from mid-July into August. 



Food. Aquatic insects, worms, leeches, crayfishes and small 

 crustaceans, fish and fish eggs — in fact, almost anything. In the 

 aquarium, earthworms and bits of fish or liver, particularly if they 

 are moved about to simulate life, are readily taken. At night the 

 Mudpuppy feeds chiefly in clear water, and all day in dark and 

 muddy waters. 



This salamander is particularly interesting because it is so large 

 that the larval characteristics can be seen very readily. It is qujte 

 hardy, provided it is given a preliminary bath of water slightly 

 tinted with potassium permanganate or mercurochrome to destroy 

 the fungus that often attacks it after it has been handled. 



Many fisherman claim that the Mudpuppy is poisonous, which 

 is not true. However, it can deliver a quite noticeable bite and it 

 also discharges a disagreeable sheet of slime when annoyed. 



THE NEWTS 

 (Salamandridae) 



The Newts arc slender salamanders with narrow heads and strongly 

 compressed tails. The tail of the breeding male has a high, wavy 

 fin, that of the female a distinct but narrow^er fin. They have mov- 

 able eyelids. The feet have four toes. 



Newt (Trittinis viridescens) 



Appearance. A slender, flattened little salamander with large 

 eyes. The upper jaw extends beyond the lower one. The legs are 



[47} 



