84 COUNTRY RAMBLES. 



is about the same length, but, being devoid of the crest, is thereby 

 easily distinguished from her mate. The Common Smooth Newt attains 

 a length of from 3H to 4 inches. It may readily be distinguished 

 from its larger relative, the Crested Newt, not only by its smaller 

 size, but, as its name implies, by the smooth nature of its skin. It is 

 of a yellow colour underneath, and olive brown above, spotted all 

 over with black. This male also possesses a crest, which is fine and 

 even. The female lacks the crest as before, and is of a more sober 

 colouring. The Palmated Newt I have not yet taken, but no doubt 

 it will turn up somewhere if sought after diligently. Its length is 

 from 3 to 3M inches, being similar to the Smooth Newt, but the male 

 having the claws webbed, those of the hind feet especially so. The 

 crest is less prominent, and there is a double ridge along the back. 

 The end of its tail is blunt, with a spine projecting from it. The 

 Straight lipped Water Newt I am unacquainted with, therefore I 

 cannot describe it. Those readers who care for keeping an aquarinm 

 should lif not having previously done so) make their way to some 

 roadside or marl-pit pond, which they will almost be sure to find 

 tenanted by Newts. With a little careful hunting you may capture a 

 few specimens with your hands Do not be afraid of them. It is 

 true they will wriggle about a little when seized, and may probably 

 give vent to their squeaking cry. Don't throw them down again, 

 however, but gently transfer to your collecting can. When placed in 

 your aquarium at home, and viewed as they swim along horizontally, 

 they are seen to the best advantage. Their colours stand out effectively, 

 and the beautiful crest, which falls along the back when taken out of 

 the water, is now to be seen carried erect, and you will begin to 

 realise what interesting creatures Newts are. As to food, they will 

 readily take small Worms, &c. Observe and note their mode of 

 feeding, breathing, swimming, courtship, egg-laying, &c- To describe 

 all here would require too much space, and besides, by observing for 

 yourself, you will find that these things will fix themselves more firmly 

 in your mind than by reading of them. A piece of wood or cork 

 should be floated on the water in \vhich they are kept, or, what is 

 much better, a rockwork built so as to allow the Newts to leave the 

 water whenever they may wish, for it must be remembered that they 

 are amphibious. Also obtain a suitable water plant and insert, as the 

 leaves are used by the female Newt to fold round each of her eggs, 

 which are deposited singly, and not in batches, as by Frogs. The 

 eggs hatch out in about a fortnight or three weeks. The young, 

 when they emerge, arc small, transparent creatures, breathing by 

 means of gills, which are placed on each side of the head, and look 



