aquatic ILitt 



41 



stantially done, the Norwegian, G. ( ). 

 Sars, having contributed more than any 

 other one man. This work showed that 

 the Cladocera constitute the largest group 

 of fresh-water crustacea in number of 

 species ; the most diversified in size, in 

 structure, and in habits." 



A Bloated Axolotl 



EDGAR R. WAITE, F. L. S. 



It is within the experience of most 

 breeders of these remarkable amphibians 

 that, out of every hatching, one or more 

 larvae may be expected to, unintention- 

 ally, of course, become like the frog that 

 wished to be as big as an ox. 



In his article on these batracians 

 (Aquatic Life, Vol. I, p. 130) Mr. W. 

 L. Brind states that the "bloating dis- 

 ease" is a result of too frequent feeding ; 

 a friend of mine in Sydney maintains 

 that it is the result of starvation, but 

 neither explanation is satisfactory. It is 

 not, however, my present object to con- 

 sider causes, but merely to record an 

 interesting experience. 



Though I have seen quite small larva? 

 with the disease, I am here writing of one 

 in which the malady did not become 

 manifest until the larva was fully four 

 inches in length. The swelling took place 

 somewhat rapidly, for within three 

 months, when the creature had grown an- 

 other inch, it was unable to descend, but 

 remained at the surface, belly upwards ; 

 it was still able and willing to feed if a 

 worm were offered to it. When held to 

 a strong light its body was seen to be 

 transparent, and its weight, when in the 

 air, suggested that it was distended, not 

 with air but with water. 



Having reached a stage when it was 

 neither useful nor ornamental, and 

 doubtless a burden to itself, I decided to 

 perform a slight operation : reducing and 



rounding one end of a 3-16-inch glass 

 tube, I inserted the nozzle thus formed, 

 into the vent, catheter-wise, being careful 

 not to damage tbe delicate membranes. 

 As soon as I judged the tube had passed 

 the cloaca, a stream of clear liquid, ap- 

 parently pure water, issued from the tube 

 with considerable force, induced by the 

 tension of the distended body. When the 



Upper and Lower Views of the 

 Bloated Axolotl 



liquid ceased to flow, the body of the poor 

 creature was nothing but skin and back- 

 bone. Next day it recommenced to feed, 

 and soon became a respectable member 

 of axolotl society. I regret to say, how- 

 ever, that the operation proved a pallia- 

 tive only, for before long the animal 

 again began to swell, and in a few weeks 

 regained its former bloated condition. 



I noticed that it now floated with part 

 of its head and chest out of water, and as 

 it could scarcely be supposed to be enjoy- 

 ing its amphibious existence, I decided 

 to put an end to it ; its death, however, 

 occurred in a manner I had not antici- 

 pated or intended. 



Wishing to preserve a memento of this 

 peculiar condition I took two photo- 

 graps (here reproduced) by transmitted 



