TUB CRESTED NEWT. 



plants, for tli.- purpose of imitating an nearly as possible the natural condition of the water 

 fn>m which the creatures had been taken. Here they lived for om.- tun-. and hen the eggs 



were hatched ami the young <l.-v.-li.|-.| 



It was a very curious sight to watch the clever manner in hi. h tin- female Newts secured 

 their --> : f<u which purpose they used chiefly to employ tli<> vallisneria, its long slender 

 blade* U-ing exactly tin- Iea\ en U-.st suited for thut purpose. They deposited an egg on one of 

 !'> leaves, and then, |.\ deXSMOOH >i, ,n.,. , m. i,t ,,f the f.-. i. UM-I.-.| I !,. ].-af i. .mid the .-L.-I:. - 



rived to fasten it so firmly that the twist always retained its f 



The appai-iit -li:ip.-of the egg is oval, and semi-transparent ; but on looking more closely, it 

 is seen to be nearly spherical, of u very pale yellow brown, ami inclosed witliiu an oval 

 envelope of gelatinous substance. 



When th>> young Newt is hatched, it much resembles tile common tad IN tie. but is of a 

 lighter color, and it* gills are morv developed. It rapidly increases in -i/v. until it has 

 attaim-d a length of nearly two inches, the fore-legs being then tolerably strong, and the 

 hind.-r pair very small and weak. The gills are at tin* time most lieuiitiful objects; and if 

 the young creature he properly arranged umlt-r the microsco|if. tin- circulation of the blood, 

 as se*- n ilirouirh tin-in transparent u.ilN. is one of the most exquisite sight* that the micro- 

 .!< ! can iilTunl. 



The legs now attain greater strength, tli-- :nlls become gradually more opaque and slowly 

 lessen in size, being at la.-t >-ntiivly absorbed int< tin- \\\ . In -xact pro|MMtion t<. tin- dimi 

 nntioii <>f the n'\\\->. tin- lungs increase in size; and tin- animal nmlergoes exactly tin- name 

 metamorphosis as has already been r-l:it.-l of tin* fin_'. l-in_' chanp-d, in point of fact, from a 

 fish into a hatrachian. The tail, lio\vf\-r remains, and is made tin- principal, if. indeed, not 

 the only means by which the Newt propels itelf through tin- water. 



When it lias passed through it.s changes, the Newt is no lonyvr alile to lead a sub-aquatic 

 life, but is forced to breathe atmospheric :i i r . K<r this ]iur|M>s<- it riss to the surface at 

 ibly regular intervals, puts its snout just out of the water, and. with a peculiar little 

 popping sound. ej>-cts the used air from its lungs and takes in a fresh supply. 



Towards the breeding-season, the male clianges sensibly j M ap|>earance; his colors are 

 brighter, and his movements more brisk. The U-autiful waving crest now l>egins to show 

 itself, and grows with great rapidity, until it assumes an appearance not unlike that of a very 

 thin cock's coml>, extending from the head to the insertion of the hinder limlw. and being 

 deeply toothed at the edge. The tail is also furnished with a crest, but with smooth edges. 

 When the animal leaves the water, this crest is hardly visible, because it is so delicate that it. 

 folds iiiM.ii the body and is confounded with the skin; but when supported by the water, it 

 waves with every movement of its owner, and has a most graceful aspect. 



After the breeding-season, the crest diminishes as rapidly as it arose, and in a short time 

 is almost wholly absorbed. Some remnants of it, however, always remain, so that the male 

 may be known, even in the winter, by the line of irregular excrescences along the back. The 

 use of this crest is not known, bat it evidently bears a close analog}' to the gorgeous nupii il 

 plumage of many birds, which at other times are dressed in quite sober garments. 



The Newt feeds upon small worms, insects, and similar creatures, and may be captuie.) 

 by the simple process of tying a worm on a thread by the middle, so as to allow both ends to 

 bang down, and then angling as if for fish. The Newt is a ravenous creature, and when it 

 catches a worm, closes its mouth so firmly that it may be neatly landed before it looses its 

 hold. Some writers recommend a hook; but I can assert, from much practical experience, 

 that the hook is quite needless, and that the Newt may be captured by the simple worm and 

 thread, not even a rod being required. 



It is curious to see the Newt eat a worm. It seizes it by the middle with a sudden snap, 

 as if the jaws were moved by springs, and remains quiet for a few seconds, when it makes 

 another snap, which causes the worm to pass farther into its month. Six or seven such bites 

 are usually required before the worm finally disappears. 



The skin or epidermis of the Newt is very delicate, and is frequently changed, coming off 

 in the water in flakes. I found that my own specimens always changed their skin as often as 



