q \ af 
ANIMAL REPRODUCTIONS. 36g 
light, this epidermis is difcovered to be a beautis 
ful reticulation, the mefhes of which are vifible 
to the naked eye. 
Many obfervations could be made on the tex- 
ture of this delicate membrane ; and thefe might 
ereatly tend to elucidate the nature and origin of 
the epidermis, which, notwithftanding all the re- 
fearches of phyfiologifts, are fo little known ; and 
hewts would afford frequent opportunities for 
deeply inveftigating the point. 
From particular attention to the newts in my 
poffeifion, I have obferved, that there is not the 
{malleft refemblance between this operation and 
what is exhibited by caterpillars, and many other 
infects.. The fkin is detached here and there, 
and often in different fized plates ; and the change 
is flow, for it occupies one or two days, and I 
have even known it take three. During fpolia« 
tion, the newt continues moving about in the wa- 
ter, with all the ufual motions of newts that un- 
dergo none ; therefore it is no difeafe, and it 
does not affe& them as it does infeéts. While 
the change is going on; the animal darts on its 
prey, holds and devours it. | 
Sometimes fpoliation is dificult to be accom- 
- plifhed; but, in thefe cafes, the newt knows to 
practife certain manceuvres, to facilitate the ope- 
ration, which I have often beheld with pleafure. 
Kt alternately raifes and depreffes the right arm 
Vou. II Aa and 
