526 THE PROTEUS. 



ter by the liue of irregular excrescences aloDg the back. The use of 

 this crest is not known, but it evidently bears a close analogy to the 

 gorgeous nuptial 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 captured by the simple process of tying a worm on a thread by 

 the middle, so as to allow both ends to hang 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 

 loosens 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 mouth. 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 speci- 

 mens always changed their skin as often as I changed the water, and it 

 was very curious to see them swimming about with the flakes of trans- 

 parent membrane clinging to their sides. The skin of the paws is drawn 

 off just like a glove, every finger being perfect, and even the little wrin- 

 kles in the palms beiiig marked. These gloves look very pretty as they 

 float in the water, but if removed they collapse into a shapeless lump. 



The food of the Newt consists of worms, insects, and even the young 

 of aquatic reptiles. I have seen a large male Crested Newt make a 

 savage dart at a younger individual of the same species, but it did not 

 succeed in eating the intended victim. 



The next order of Crawling Batrachians is called by the name of 

 Meantia, and contains a very few but very remarkable species. In 

 all these creatures the body is long and smooth, without scales, and the 

 gills are very conspicuous, retaining their position throughout the life 

 of the animal. There are always two or four limbs furnished with toes, 

 but these members are very weak, and indeed rudimentary, and both 

 the palate and the lower jaw are toothed. 



Tlie first example of this order is the celebrated Proteus, discovered 

 by the Baron de Zois in the extraordinary locality in which it dwells. 



At Adelsberg, in the duchy of Carniola, is a most wonderful cavern, 

 called the Grotto of the Maddalena, extending many hundred feet be- 

 low the surface of the earth, and consequently buried in the profbuud- 

 est darkness. In this cavern exists a little lake, roofed with stalactites, 

 surrounded with masses of rock, and floored with a bed of soft mud, 



