OR, THE HOME-CULTURE OF FRESH-WATER PLANTS. 



Plate VII.) exhibit similar peculiarities; they 

 are more robustly formed than the species just 

 described, but not quite so finely marked, the spots 

 of the male, though more numerous, being not so 

 large. 



Towards autumn, about the middle of September, 

 these elegant creatures generally leave the element 

 of their nativity, and seek food among the damp 

 grass of the meadows returning to the pond or 

 brook to hybernate. They will, however, live in 

 water all the year round, though, after the gills of 

 their tadpole state have disappeared, they are unable 

 to remain entirely under water for many minutes 

 together ; and it is very interesting, in a tank, to 

 watch them on a sunny morning maintaining their 

 position, by " treading water," as a swimmer would 

 say, with their delicately formed little feet, occa- 

 sionally rising to the surface for the necessary 

 supply of air, and then sinking to the original 

 situation, about half-way from the bottom some 

 favourite spot, favoured by a peculiar shade, or 

 some other accidental attraction. 



The addition of a little rocky island, on which the 

 little creatures can bask occasionally, retreating to 

 the water at will, is a great desideratum where 

 Newts form part of the Aquarium colony. 



