i82 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 



Eft is merely a phase of the common Newt, but it is an interesting 

 case of adaptation to environment. 



Few obser\'ers who have visited mountainous places in the 

 eastern United States have failed to notice in the damp woods 

 .the brilliant red "Hzards" slowly making their way over the 

 carpet of fallen leaves. Among residents of the country places 

 they are known as Red Efts, Fire " Lizards" and Rain " Lizards." 

 These are not lizards, but they are batrachians, and they repre- 

 sent a form of the common Newt that has seemingly tired of the 

 water and begun a terrestrial existence. The animals vary in 

 color from dull brown to brilHant vermilion. Rows of red dots 



FIG- 15. THE RED EFT, OR MOUNTAIN LIZARD" 

 From specimen in New York Zoological Park 



are very apparent on the brown forms, while on the vermilion 

 forms they are less distinct, but can be discerned as richer red, 

 bordered with narrow circles of black. The brown specimens are 

 forms that have left the water but a short time ; those of the 

 brilliant red hues have for some time been leading a terrestrial 

 life. During dry weather the Red Efts hide under leaves and 

 moss ; after the summer showers they issue from their hiding- 

 places to swarm through the woods. 



In mountain ponds in the heart of districts where the red 

 form is very abundant, the aquatic adults may be found swarm- 

 ing in the water. If the latter are taken from the water and 

 kept in damp moss or among leaves, they lose their greenish tints 

 and the smooth appearance of the skin, becoming dull brown and 



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