AMPHIBIANS. 103 



receiving its direct rays. The eggs of the Great Newt take 

 longer to hatch than those of the Stnooth Triton. 



The young tadpole's growth (Fig. 84, a, b, c, d) can be 

 observed while it is within the egg. The embryo for the first 

 three or four days is globtdar, and then begins bo lengthen 

 out gradually. At the end of the first week the head and 

 tail can be distinguished, and soon after this the branchiae 

 appear. The little animal at this stage looks more like a fish 

 than a newt. The circulation of the blood may now be seen 

 under the microscope. This sight is most interesting, and 

 well worth the trouble necessary for the observation. As the 

 tadpole grows it changes its position in the egg, and finally 

 becomes rather fidgety, until by its struggles it forces itself 

 free. The egg collapses as the young newt leaves it. 



The triton tadpole just after it is hatched (Fig. 84, e) is 

 not very easy to find, even in a very small aquarium. When 

 it is discovered, that which wUl attract attention most is the 

 brilliancy of its golden-looking eyes. It does not move much 

 at this period of its Ufe, except to dart away rapidly on being 

 disturbed. As it has iio legs yet. Nature has provided it, as 

 the frog tadpole, with two small claspers, but these disappear 

 upon the development of the forelegs (Fig. 84, /). The speed 

 of growth of the small reptile^depends very much upon its 

 food, which at first should be, if possible, very small water- 

 insects, Water- Fleas (Daphnia Pulex), Cyclops, and the like ; 

 and as it increases in size it will eat the larvae of the gnat 

 and similar prey, until it grows big enough to devour small 

 portions of tiny garden worms. 



The animal is so transparent untU it is about three months 

 old (Fig. 84, g) that a glance will teU whether it has been 

 able to satisfy its appetite or not. In time (how long depends 

 upon food and temperature) the gills will be absorbed, and 

 the young newt will be obliged to come to the surface of 

 the water to breathe. When about thi-ee months old it 

 changes its skin for the first time, which generally comes off 

 in pieces. The mature reptile sloughs very frequently, some- 

 times as often as once in ten days. Occasionally the skin 

 comes off in one piece, not even excepting the toes ; and if 



