134 SALAMANDRAD&. 
most easily observed. The period when the deposit of the 
eggs commences depends upon the season; but the time 
when the greater number are produced, is during the 
months of May and June; and it is worthy of notice, that 
the different species of Newt are found depositing their 
egos during a much longer period of the summer than the 
ecaudate Amphibia, such as the Frog and Toad. At the 
time I have mentioned, if the leaves of various species of 
aquatic plants be observed, many of them will be found 
folded together, and within the fold a single egg of the 
Newt will be discovered. It is, however, necessary for 
accurate observation from the commencement, that the 
female Newt be taken and placed in a vessel of water with 
the plants in question, that she may deposit the egg under 
the eye of the observer. The best plant for the purpose is 
the Polygonum persicaria, which is ordinarily chosen by 
the animal in its natural habitat. A large glass globe is 
a good vessel for the purpose of observation ;, but if it 
be wished to employ a larger one, I may be allowed to 
recommend the largest sized foot-bath made of white ware. 
This vessel I have often used for keeping many aquatic 
animals; and if a layer of Roman cement be placed at 
the bottom, and a few pebbles, or a stone of sufficient 
size be fixed by the cement at one end, the objection to 
the slipperiness of the vessel will be obviated, and the 
animal will also have the opportunity of coming above the 
surface at pleasure. 
The egg, when first deposited (fig. 1 of the woodcut), is 
very lightly tinged with buff; it is surrounded by a glairy 
envelope, to which it is not attached, but rotates unre- 
strainedly within it. The first obvious change which takes 
place is the elongation of the white embryo, which in a few 
days exhibits somewhat of a division into a cephalic, an 
