SMOOTH NEWT 



months before the young Newt is ready to crawl from its 

 watery home. It then becomes a land-hibber for three 

 years, but on reaching maturity during the fourth year, 

 it returns to the water for some three months each year 

 for the purpose of helping to carry on the destiny of 

 its race. Earthworms, insects, molluscs, tadpoles, and 

 various water creatures are devoured, and to observe a 

 Newt seizing its food is an apt illustration of how an 



Rgr2i 



female- &.mcLle . 



otherwise slow-moving animal can, if needs be, get a 



move-on when occasion demands. The Smooth Newt 



is so-called because of the clearness of its skin. It is 



brownish-grey above, with lines of black spots, which 



are also present on the crest of the male. The yellow 



colouring below is relieved with spots of black, the male 



being more distinctly ornamented than his mate. The 



male has a red edging on the tail, whereas that of the 



female is orange, and the former has a stripe of blue 



47 



