52 AMPHIBIANS AND FISHES. 



The presence of a serrated crest along the back is 

 characteristic of the males both of this species and 

 that of the smooth newt. The latter, however, may 

 easily be identified by its smooth skin and smaller 

 size. 



Both male and female of the great warty newt are 

 easily tamed. We have kept them until they would 

 come to the top of the water and take a worm from 

 our fingers. They are voracious feeders, but it is best 

 not to supply them with too much food. When they 

 are in season, the tadpoles of the common frog will be 

 found the best diet to give them. These do not taint 

 the water as worms are apt to do when they die ; 

 and it is very interesting to witness the schemes and 

 pursuits the newts indulge in to capture their second 

 cousins. It will be as well not to keep this species 

 and the smooth newt (Lissotriton punctatus) in the 

 same tank, otherwise the latter may fall a victim to 

 the ready appetite of the former. Even if it does not 

 it is placed in hourly dread, and shelters itself so that 

 it can rarely be seen. All the newts use their verti- 

 cally flattened tails for swimming. The weakness of 

 their legs on land adds to their reptilian appearance, 

 for they are obliged to crawl, and are by no means so 

 agile as the lizards for which they are frequently mis- 

 taken. On hot summer days you will see the newts, 

 with their legs extended, floating and basking on the 

 surface of the water. 



It is only in the spring and summer months that 



