A WALK THROUGH AN ENGLISH LANE. 105 



crimson-stained and undulating crest, extending from the 

 head along the back, and waving with every movement 

 in the most elegant and graceful manner. This is the 

 Triton, or common "Water Newt, otherwise known by the 

 name of the Eft, Eflfet, and Evat. He mostly lives in the 

 water, and can exist for some minutes without needing 

 to take breath. Every now and then, however, he 

 must come to the surface to take a fresh supply of air, 

 and in so doing he makes that odd little popping sound 

 which we just now heard. He does not always wear 

 that beautiful coat, for, like many of the birds, he only 

 puts on his fine clothes during the matrimonial season, 

 and for the rest of the year is clad as soberly as his 

 mate. 



Here he comes again ; so slip the net under him 

 quickly, and fish him out. Do not be afraid of him — 

 he is one of the most harmless of beings, albeit he is 

 popularly reported by rustics to spit fire, and to kill 

 cows, and to bite pieces out of people's arms, and to 

 sting like a viper, together with various other ill 

 qualities ; just as if he combined in his innocent five 

 inches of dark tawny black and orange spotted belly 

 all the demerits of the Dragon of Wantley, the rattle- 

 snake, and the snapping turtle. Indeed, they could not 

 display more fear of either member of that redoubtable 

 trio than they exhibit when you pick up a newt and 

 bring it towards them. As for yourself, your impunity 

 will be set down, not to the harmlessness of the newt, 

 but to some unholy compact with the powers of dark- 



