FROGS 91 



more generally found, and cannot be mistaken for the latter. 

 During the breeding season especially it is a very pretty little 

 creature, some 4 inches long, the skin differing from M. cristata 

 in that it is perfectly smooth. 



Newts thrive in an aquarium if fed, but should this be 

 forgotten they gradually become smaller and smaller until 

 they eventually die. Their food consists mainly of worms, 

 which are swallowed whole. 



It is a most interesting experiment to drop a tempting 

 morsel in the shape of a worm between two newts. They wake 

 very slowly to the fact that the wriggling thing is a worm, 

 and gradually their interest becomes more acute. Then slowly 

 and very judiciously, step by step, they advance towards it, 

 and even then they seem hardly able to realise their good 

 fortune. But when Molge does wake up, no time is lost ; the 

 worm is suddenly seized, probably somewhere near the middle, 

 the newt gulps and gulps, vainly attempting to swallow its 

 capture. Shaking the worm violently at intervals, it tries and 

 tries again, but without success. Eventually it drops it and 

 after some hesitation seizes the end, and now its efforts are 

 met with greater success. Gradually the worm becomes 

 shorter and shorter. But during this time the other newt has 

 also awakened, and is slowly, as if hurry were out of the ques- 

 tion, nearing the fast-disappearing meal. Then with a sudden 

 rush the new comer seizes the free end and starts to swallow 

 in haste, as if to make up for lost time. Little by little the 

 nose of the one and the nose of the other amphibian come 

 closer and closer together, until they meet nose to nose. In 

 this position they rest ; nothing happens, but each newt looks 

 at the other in evident disgust. Suddenly one of them starts 

 to pull and struggle, and the unfortunate worm is as rapidly 

 disgorged by the one as swallowed by the other. But all at 

 once the loser of the meal seems to realise what is occurring, 

 and makes up its mind on " no surrender." After some violent 

 struggles the cause of the trouble comes in two, and each 

 Molge gulps down its own particular share. Newts shake the 

 worm in a similar manner as a terrier does a rat. If really 

 hungry, Molge becomes more active, but if well fed, not even 

 the most appetising worm will alter its expression or cause it 

 to change its position. 



Newts periodically cast their skins, and those who believe in 

 ghosts might easily be deceived ; for after the newt has 

 changed, the empty skin remains floating in the water, the 

 feet resembling little tiny gloves. Very often the creature de- 

 vours its old skin, as soon as cast in fact this seems to be 



