28 



these developed three short cylindrical appendages; and latest 

 of all were seen the two little nobs which were eventually to 

 become the front feet. The embryo manifested signs of life 

 at eighteen days by occasional convulsive struggles, v/hich 

 increased in frequency and energy until the albuminous 

 envelope was ruptured at the end of the fourth week, and the 

 little animal escaped into the water where it supported 

 itself with difficulty, swimming by jerks. Its density was 

 considerable, and those individuals which could not find a 

 resting-place near the surface, sank to the bottom and 

 perished, after making desperate efforts to vise. The hatch- 

 ing was very unequal, some not escaping until ten days or a 

 fortnight after the rest ; the proportion of unfruitful eggs 

 was very small. To resume, the mouth was opened after 

 two days, when the little creatures snapped eagerly at 

 Daphne and Cypris, which were, of course, much too large 

 for them. 



Even at this early age the fry emitted the bubble of 

 air, which is characteristic of the possession of lungs in the 

 perfect Urodela. It appears very desirable that very 3'oung 

 specimens should be dissected with a special view to trace 

 the development of this organ, which I believe commences 

 contemporaneously with life. 



The failure to rear Axolotls in confinement has always 

 arisen from the want of proper food for them when very 

 small. I used earthenware pans, eighteen inches across, 

 and four inches deep containing decaying vegetable matter, 

 and supplied with pond water. Herein under the influence of 

 sunlight abundance of infusoria were constantly being gene- 

 rated, especially swarms of paramecia, on which the Axolotls 

 lived. Hiding places of stone and slate were arranged to 

 which the infants took at once. As they grew Daphne and 

 Cypris were taken, and at length I was able to feed them 

 with gnat larvae and minute worms. The fore feet began to 

 develope from the two gemmae, already spoken of, at three 

 weeks old, but the hind legs did not appear for as many 

 months. The aftergrowth of the animals was extremely 



