

1891.] The Vermilton-Spotted Newt, 1093 
as characteristic of the spring,—that is, the breeding season 
proper. So also the autumnal mating is, so far as I know, an 
entirely new observation. It was observed many times by myself, 
and at two different times independently by Mr. F. B. Maxwell, 
fellow in zoology and botany in Cornell University. 
Habits of the Larve and Duration of the Larval Period — 
The eggs of the Diemyctylus hatch in from twenty to thirty-five 
days, depending upon the temperature. From the first the colora- 
tion approaches that of the viridescent form; it has also the slim 
appearance and delicate outlines of the more mature ones. The 
gills are very prominent at a very early age, and project 
obliquely over the back. The larva are very timid and exceed- 
ingly active when they move. Frequently they remain for a 
considerable time in the clear water of the aquarium, with the 
beautiful red gills outspread and the body straight as an arrow. 
If disturbed in any way they dart into the vegetation like a flash. 
The body is narrow and the head pointed, thus forming a very 
marked contrast with the broad-headed Amblystoma larve. 
Indeed, they so strikingly resemble the adult viridescent form that 
it is not difficult to recognize them. 
When several different kinds of larve are in the same aqua- 
rium, they differ from the adult aquatic form, however, in that the 
tail-fin extends almost to the head as a dorsal crest, something as 
in Triton cristatus. 
The food appears to be entirely of an animal nature. Speci- 
mens from the ponds where the conditions are entirely normal 
contained minute Crustacea, larval insects and snails, and in some, 
aquatic worms were found. The larvæ in the aquarium were kept 
in food by an occasional addition of water and vegetation from 
their natural habitat. Early in August, while the gills are still 
prominent, the characteristic vermilion spots commence to appear, 
thus giving the larvæ a still more striking resemblance to the adult 
(Pl. XXIII., Fig. 3). Water is frequently taken into the mouth and 
passed through the gill openings for respiratory purposes, and 
the oral epithelium is stratified and non-ciliated, as in Necturus, 
- The cesophagus is lined with ciliated epithelium, but none 1s 
~ present at any time in the stomach, thus further agreeing with 

