94 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 



It will pay to remove the toad-spawn carefully, and put it into a 

 pond where it can hatch unmolested, which is completed in June or 

 July. 



Toads in the neighborhood of ponds and gardens are a blessing, 

 and should not, therefore, needlessly be exterminated. 



One of the natural enemies of the frog is the water-spider, which 

 attacks the young in the eye and kills it. Although the water-spider 

 has been repeatedly mentioned as a friend, it is not out of place to 

 keep an eye on him, as he also frequently catches young fish. 



SALAMANDERS AND NEWTS. 



All the varieties of those tailed batrachians frequent the water in 

 the spring, for the purpose of depositing their eggs or young some 

 being viviparous. In all the stages of their growth, from the tad- 

 pole state to the perfect animal, these creatures are destructive to 

 both the fish eggs and the young fish, they should therefore be kept 

 out of the ponds. 



The newts spend their entire life in the water. In certain 

 localities they may exist in such vast numbers that it is necessary to 

 take especial precaution to keep them away. 



Neither of these creatures, however, is harmful to man, the larger 

 varieties living in the river, such as the water-dog and the hell-bender, 

 excepted, nor are any of them poisonous. 



They may, with perfect safety, be handled with the bare hand. 



As the season advances various other enemies, in addition to those 

 already mentioned, make their appearance. Most particularly must 

 a sharp lookout be kept for 



WATER SNAKES. 



These will be found concealed near the water's edge, or in the 

 corners'of the several ponds. They lie hidden from view, the head 



