YOUNG OF THE SPOTTED SALAMANDER. 19 



A handful of chick-weed (frequently renewed) was placed on 

 the island, and in this the little animals were almost always to 

 be found, climbing about the labyrinth of moist leaves. 



On Aug. 8th the larger of the two tadpoles still living in the 

 water finally left it, and climbed up to the top of the island to 

 hide in the bunch of chickweed. This individual differed in 

 some respects from its fellows. In size it surpassed them all, 

 being nearly double that of the one remaining tadpole. The head 

 was large and wide in proportion to the rest of the body, and, 

 after completing its metamorphosis, this Salamander became of 

 a dull pale yellow tint, with very little blacl^, whereas the rest 

 were brightly coloured, and prettily and distinctly marked. 

 When in the larval state it would sometimes swallow two worms 

 in quick succession, but as its change approached it became very 

 dull and lethargic, refusing worms placed close in front of it. 



On the 22nd the Jast tadpole — a very small one — was first 

 noticed to show signs of entering upon the final stage of existence, 

 the upper surfaces of the thighs having begun to turn yellow. 

 On the 24th the characteristic dark patch between the eyes and 

 the two dorsal rows of yellow spots or patches could be made out, 

 but as yet only indistinctly. By the 29th the upper arms, as well 

 as the thighs, had become yellow above. 



On Sept. 3rd this young Salamander, having completed its 

 change, came on land, and concealed itself in the chickweed. 

 After a few days it was placed in the vivarium, to which the 

 rest had already been transferred, and soon afterwards I found 

 them all (the newcomer included) closely congregated together 

 under the same piece of bark. At this period of their lives these 

 little batrachians certainly appear to be socially inclined, for 

 they huddle together in their hiding-places, one on the top of 

 another, like pigs. Yet one or two of mine would sometimes be 

 found lying up singly in a separate retreat. 



I have not found any of their cast-off skins, but that the 

 operation was generally performed very soon after the meta- 

 morphosis I have little doubt, judging from the sudden change 

 from dull obscurity to great brilliance of colour and distinctness 

 of markings. Before the old skin is shed, and its owner has as 

 yet left the water, there is, as before stated, a faint indication 

 discernible through its semi-transparent substance of the future 



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