342 RAMBLES ABOUT HOME. 



arrest of the natural decay of tissue, I can not say ; but 1 

 have often, during winter, found our semi-aquatic sala- 

 manders in warm spots, possessed of their usual activity, 

 and yet in localities which I supposed to be destitute at 

 the time of any food-supply. My efforts to determine, 

 by dissection, the contents of their stomachs during win- 

 ter were not satisfactory, and I had to content myself 

 with the fact that if there were any food in their stomachs 

 it was in very minute quantities. 



A second species of these creatures, remarkable for its 

 activity and strength, is the dusky salamander. To find 

 it we must leave the muddy ditches and grass-grown 

 ponds wherein the triton delights, and seek some babbling 

 brook with plenty of big stones in its bed. Under these 

 we are pretty sure to find this dusky species. When dis- 

 turbed, away it goes with a jump and a wriggle, but not 

 for any distance. The nearest hiding-place is sure to be 

 its goal ; and so, with a little care, they are easily followed, 

 and the slimy creatures may be captured with comparative 

 ease. Small though they be, their strength is considerable, 

 and, before we realize the fact, a captured " dusky " will 

 pry open your closed fingers and be off. Often I Lave 

 lost an old fellow in just this way, being unable to realize 

 in time what the creature was about. 



Common as they are, I have never found their eggs, 

 to my knowledge, but suppose that they are placed in 

 localities like dripping moss or soaked leaves, that are 

 constantly wet, and not in the running water. The young 

 retain their external gills longer than do any of the other 

 species found here. I had supposed that it was only for 

 a year, but, according to Professor Yerrill, two years must 

 elapse before they acquire the breathing-apparatus of 

 adult life. 



