304 POPULAR HISTORY OF THE AQUARIUM. 



corresponding to the black markings of the skin; here 

 they were blackish, and their integrity was so complete 

 that when removed from the basin the water did not run 

 through them, but distended them like tiny gloves/"' 



In the tanks of the Zoological Society we have an op- 

 portunity of observing the Water Newts in fine condition, 

 floating among the water-lilies or occasionally coming in 

 contact with that curious insect the " Water Beetle." On 

 visiting them lately, however, I have noticed that these 

 specimens, being in a great measure prepared for terrestrial 

 existence, seem rather anxious to get their heads out of the 

 water and cling to anything that floats on the surface. In 

 order to meet this desire, the keepers have placed a little bit 

 of wood in the tank, just large enough to form a raft for 

 one, or at most two. Newts. If any more cling to it, down 

 goes one side of the raft. While I was there, some five or 

 six were trying to get on at once, and happy was the one 

 fortunate enough to have a place on the floating edge as the 

 other side plunged. It was a happiness of short duration ; 

 he would soon be edged off his perch, or his side would be 

 over-balanced. A continual struggle was going on, and I 

 observed one poor fellow, who having made several in- 

 effectual attempts to get a place on the raft, at length gave 



