66 A FISH WITH LEGS. 



country, the common Water-Newt and the Smooth 

 Newt. These beautiful creatures may be found in 

 almost every piece of still water, from ponds and 

 ditches up to lakes. The full beauty of the newt is 

 not seen until the breeding season begins to come 

 on, and even then only in the male. 



At this time the green back and orange belly attain 

 a brighter tint, and the back is decorated with a wavy 

 crest, tipped with crimson. This crest is continually 

 waving from side to side as the creature moves, and 

 forms graceful curves. The newts are equally at 

 home in water and on land, and in the latter case 

 have often been mistaken for lizards. 



One of these animals, when taking a walk, alarmed 

 an acquaintance of mine sadly. He was rather a 

 tall man than otherwise, and did not appear particu- 

 larly timid ; but one day he came to me looking 

 somewhat pale, and announced that he had just 

 been terribly frightened. 



" A fish, with legs ! " said he, "four legs ! got out 

 of the water and ran right across the path in front 

 of me ! I saw it run ! " 



" A fish with legs ! " I replied ; " there are no such 

 creatures." 



"Indeed there are, though, for I saw them. It 

 had four legs, and it waggled its tail ! It was 

 horrible, horrible ! " 



" It was only a newt," I replied, " an eft. There 

 is nothing to be afraid of." 



