268 Fresh Water Aquarium 



smooth-edged comb, beginning behind the 



head and running the full length of the body 

 to the end of the rudder-shaped tail above, 

 and continued on the lower side of the tail 

 to the hind legs ; also peculiar to the larva 

 are the respiratory organs, in the shape of 

 a bunch of feathery gills of a reddish or 

 brownish color. These gills, while the ani- 

 mal is resting on the bottom of the tank, 

 are usually in a waving motion, causing 

 not only a renewal of the water in the prox- 

 imity of these organs, but also attracting 

 small fish or other prey, which can easily 

 be engulfed in the spacious mouth of the 

 Axolotl larva. 



The larva leaves the egg when very small 

 and grows very slowly, although it may at- 

 tain a length of twelve inches. If the larva 

 has an opportunity to leave the water, or 

 if the depth of the latter is gradually de- 

 creased so that it is compelled to change its 

 purely aquatic life for a more amphibious 

 condition, its exterior respiratory organs 



