NATURE'S CALENDAR 



the latter with a well-developed fin ex- a m 



tending from the head and arms to the — 



extremity of the body. Respiration is 

 performed by means of three gills pro- 

 jecting from each side of the neck, of 

 very simple construction, however, and 

 with but few branches. 



"The absence of limbs is compensated 

 by the existence of a club-shaped ap- 

 pendage on each side of the head, pro- 

 ceeding from the angle of the mouth, and 

 representing the cirri observ^ed in some 

 adult salamanders. By means of these 

 appendages the young salamanders are 

 enabled to anchor themselves securely to 

 objects in the water. In the course of a 

 few days a tubercle is seen to form on 

 each side, just behind the head and under 

 the gills, which elongates and finally forks 

 at each end, first into two, then three, and 

 at last into four branches, thus exhibiting 

 the anterior extremities, with the four 

 fingers, which latter, in the larva, are 

 very long. Before the fore-legs become 

 completely formed, those behind sprout 

 out in a similar manner, with first three, 

 then four, and finally five toes. During 

 this time the gills have increased in the 

 number of branches, and finally exhibit 

 a beautiful arborescent appearance, in 

 which the circulation of the blr)od can 

 be distinctly seen by means of a simple 

 lens." 



Turtles are later in their time of breed- 

 ing, but the fresh-water turtles are mating. 



