47 



They believe that the terrestrial life continues until the autumn of the 

 third or the spring of the fourth year after hatching, and that when they 

 have once entered the water they do not again leave it unless the pool 

 dries up or there is a scarcity pf food. 



The eggs are fertilized internally, and, when laid, are glued to the 

 leaves of aquatic plants. Prof. Gage's observations seem to show that 

 only about' six or eight eggs are laid after each pairing of the sexes. 

 After some days another batch may be laid. The time of deposition of 

 the eggs extends from the first week of April until at least the middle of 

 June. Gage's statements to the effect that the eggs are attached singly 

 to the leaves of plants is confirmed by the observations of Cope and 

 Monks. Prof. Verrill, of Yale College, and Col. Pike, on the other 

 hand, state that the eggs are laid in masses containing from 25 to 150. 

 The larvse are active and timid. Their heads are not so broad as those of 

 the larvoe of the Ambystomas, with which they may be associated. Their 

 food consists of minute crustaceans, larval insects, and small snails. In 

 color and form they closely resemble the full-grown individuals, except 

 that they have three plumose gills, and the broad tail-fin extends forward 

 to the back of the head. The gills begin to be absorbed during the last 

 half of the August after hatching, the tail-fin is absorbed, and the larvce 

 then often comes to the surface to obtain air. About September 1 the 

 now transformed young leave the water, hide away in the dirt and among 

 leaves, and acquire the yellow or red color. During the metamorphosis 

 the body appears to shrink considerably in size. I have seen, in the Na- 

 tional Museum, a number of specimens, 2.25 and 2.75 inches long, with 

 remains of gills, while red specimens, 1.75 inches long, entirely without 

 any trace of gills are common. Prof. Gage, however, finds that the larvre 

 are usually only about an inch and a half long at the time of their change. 



Where found in abundance, the adult newts may be taken during all 

 the warmer months of the year ; and it is probable that they are active 

 during the whole year, unless the cold is too intense. They have been 

 seen swimming under ice an inch thick. They delight most in pools 

 which are fed by perennial springs. Their habits are not so nocturnal as 

 those of many of their kindred. They may be seen at all times of day 

 swimming about, climbing on aquatic plants, floating on the surface of 

 the water, and basking in the sunshine. The food of the adults consists 

 of insects, tadpoles, worms and mollusks. In confinement they become 

 quite tame, and will take pieces of beef or insects from a wire, opening 

 the mouth slowly, protruding the tongue, and gently pulling off" the mor- 

 sel. One has been known to swallow a piece of earthworm twice its own 

 length, and to use its hands in holding its prey. 



During the breeding season the colors are most intense, and the sexes 

 are at their best. The spots along the sides become flame-color, the belly 

 -orange, while the male acquires a broad spotted crest along both edges of 



