The Transformation of the Mexican Axolotl. 561 



than in Nos. I. and II. as the first ecdysis occurred 

 as soon as they took to the land. 



" No. V. showed still more striking deviations in 

 its transformation than Nos. III. and IV., but as 

 this specimen appeared much weaker than the 

 others from the beginning and was retarded in 

 growth to a most notable extent, this is by no 

 means surprising. It took fourteen instead of four 

 days before the transformation had advanced far 

 enough to enable it to leave the water. It was 

 especially interesting to observe the behaviour of 

 this specimen during this period. Its weak and 

 delicate constitution evidently made it much more 

 susceptible to all external influences than the others. 

 If exposed to the air for too long a time it acquired 

 a light colour, and when annoyed or alarmed it 

 emitted a peculiar odour, similar to that of a 

 salamander. As soon as these phenomena were 

 observed it was at once placed in deeper water, into 

 which it immediately plunged and gradually re- 

 covered itself, the gills always becoming again 

 expanded. The same experiment was repeated 

 several times and always led to the same 

 result, from which we may venture to con- 

 clude that by accelerating the transformation 

 too energetically, the process may come to a 

 standstill, and even by continued compulsion may 

 end in death. 



" It yet remains to be mentioned with respect to 

 Axolotl No. V. that this specimen, unlike all the 



