THE CRESTED NEWT. 
173 
plants, for the purpose of imitating as nearly as possible the natural condition of the water 
from which the creatures had been taken. Here they lived for some time, and here the eggs 
were hatched and the young developed. 
It was a very curious sight to watch the clever manner in which the female Newts secured 
their eggs ; for which purpose they used chiefly to employ the vallisneria, its long slender 
blades being exactly the leaves best suited for that purpose. They deposited an egg on one of 
the leaves, and then, by dexterous management of the feet, twisted the leaf round the egg, so 
as to conceal it, and contrived to fasten it so firmly that the twist always retained its form. 
The apparent shape of the egg is oval, and semi-transparent ; but on looking more closely, it 
is seen to be nearly spherical, of a very pale yellow-brown, and inclosed within an oval 
envelope of gelatinous substance. 
When the young Newt is hatched, it much resembles the common tadpole, but is of a 
lighter color, and its gills are more developed. It rapidly increases in size, until it has 
attained a length of nearly two inches, the fore-legs being then tolerably strong, and the 
hinder pair very small and weak. The gills are at this time most beautiful objects ; and if 
the young creature be properly arranged under the microscope, the circulation of the blood, 
as seen through their transparent walls, is one of the most exquisite sights that the micro- 
scope can afford.' 
The legs now attain greater strength, the gills become gradually more opaque and slowly 
lessen in size, being at last entirely absorbed into the body. In exact proportion to the dimi- 
nution of the gills, the lungs increase in size ; and the animal undergoes exactly the same 
metamorphosis as has already been related of the frog, being changed, in point of fact, from a 
fish into a batrachian. The tail, however remains, and is made the principal, if, indeed, not 
the only means by which the Newt propels itself through the water. 
When it has passed through its changes, the Newt is no longer able to lead a sub-aquatic 
life, but is forced to breathe atmospheric air. For this purpose it rises to the surface at 
tolerably regular intervals, puts its snout just out of the water, and, with a peculiar little 
popping sound, ejects the used air from its lungs and takes in a fresh supply. 
Towards the breeding-season, the male changes sensibly in appearance ; his colors are 
brighter, and his movements more brisk. The beautiful waving crest now begins to show 
itself, and grows with great rapidity, until it assumes an appearance not unlike that of a very 
thin cock’s comb, extending from the head to the insertion of the hinder limbs, and being 
deeply toothed at the edge. The tail is also furnished with a crest, but with smooth edges. 
When the animal leaves the water, this crest is hardly visible, because it is so delicate that it 
folds upon the body and is confounded with the skin ; but when supported by the water, it 
waves with every movement of its owner, and has a most graceful aspect. 
After the breeding-season, the crest diminishes as rapidly as it arose, and in a short time 
is almost wholly absorbed. Some remnants of it, however, always remain, so that the male 
may be known, even in the winter, by the line of irregular excrescences along the back. The 
use of this crest is not known, but it evidently bears a close analogy to the gorgeous nuptial 
plumage of many birds, which at other times are dressed in quite sober garments. 
The Newt feeds upon small worms, insects, and similar creatures, and may be captured 
by the simple process of tying a worm on a thread by the middle, so as to allow both ends to 
hang down, and then angling as if for fish. The Newt is a ravenous creature, and when it 
catches a worm, closes its mouth so firmly that it may be neatly landed before it looses its 
hold. Some writers recommend a hook ; but I can assert, from much practical experience, 
that the hook is quite needless, and that the Newt may be captured by the simple worm and 
thread, not even a rod being required. 
It is curious to see the Newt eat a worm. It seizes it by the middle with a sudden snap, 
as if the jaws were moved by springs, and remains qniet for a few seconds, when it makes 
another snap, which causes the worm to pass farther into its mouth. Six or seven such bites 
are usually required before the worm finally disappears. 
The skin or epidermis of the Newt is very delicate, and is frequently changed, coming off 
in the water in flakes, I found that my own specimens always changed their skin as often as 
