SALAMANDERS. 



293 



eight to sixteen, and less commonly from twenty-four to thirty tadpoles make 

 their appearance into the world during a period of from two to five days. 

 Generally all these are in an equally advanced state of development ; but sometimes 

 in captivity both eggs and tadpoles are produced simultaneously, the former being 

 translucent and showing the young tadpoles curled up within them. The tadpoles, 

 which are generally produced in clear, running water, are blackish grey in colour, 

 with a more or less well-marked greenish tinge ; but there are small golden spots 

 on the back, which gradually increase in size with advancing age. The skin 

 also gradually becomes less shining and smooth, while at the same time the gills 

 shrink, till about August or September the young salamanders quit the water 

 for a terrestrial life. A few may, however, remain till as late as October. It is 

 remarkable that the young salamander is rather inferior in size to the tadpole in 



r ^f 



ALPINE SALAMANDER (nat. size). 



the latest stage of development ; and it is not yet known for how long a period 

 it continues to grow after leaving the water. In aquaria salamanders develop 

 more quickly, and have been known to leave the water within three weeks. 

 The winter sleep generally takes place in moss-lined crannies, well protected from 

 the frost, and may endure till the commencement of April. 



Alpine The Alpine, or black salamander (S. atra), inhabiting the Alps 



salamander. a {< elevations of from three to ten thousand feet, is a smaller animal 

 than the last, from which it may be at once distinguished by its inferior dimen- 

 sions. Ranging from the Alps into Styria, Carinthia, and some of the mountains 

 of Wiirtemberg and Bavaria, this species inhabits moist woods or tin? banks of 

 mountain-streams, where it is generally found in small family-parties, which 

 conceal themselves after the manner of their kind beneath stones and moss, or at 

 the roots of the Alpine rose. Although resembling the spotted salamander in 



