Woodside. 17 



bracken, whilst, as we rapidly leave the "Pale" (as the 

 fence separating the park from the wood is called) behind, 

 the trees become fewer and the views more extensive. 



We have come to a standstill by some steps that lead into 

 the park, and now, slowly climbing them, we stand within 

 it ; and I think there is a pond close by. Yes, here is the 

 old pond, and there, overhanging one end of it, is the old 

 hawthorn tree into which I have frequently climbed for 

 mistletoe ; and, yes ! there are still some little shoots of 

 mistletoe growing from its branches. 



Let us stay a while and investigate this pond. In spring 

 and early summer can anything be more interesting than to 

 watch the inhabitants of some large roadside pond, shaded 

 by tall trees ? The diver water-beetle, using his beautifully 

 fringed hind legs as oars, propels himself skilfully and 

 rapidly along ; the water-spider, in its diving-bell apparatus ; 

 frogs, toads, and newts ; all these may be studied there, 

 whilst water weeds of different shades and hues afford end- 

 less variety and interest. 



See ! There is a newt, his crimson-tipped crests contrast- 

 ing strongly with the brilliant green of the pond-weed, 

 among which he cunningly and dexterously steers himself. 

 In the very early days of spring he does not possess these 

 crimson adornments : they grow as the weather gets warm 

 and the breeding season draws near, and then the " warty " 

 newt becomes quite a handsome fellow. In May his back 

 becomes brownish-green, whilst his belly is bright reddish- 

 orange, and the sides of the gentleman's tail are of a clear 

 pearly-white hue. The male, too, has a jagged crest running 

 down the back, and the sharp points of this become, at this 

 time of the year, tipped with bright crimson. But do you 



c 



