water-newt. 
eg 
for the year 1 747. He tells us, that a day or two 
before the change takes place the animal constantly 
becomes more inactive than usual, neglecting the 
worms which are given to it, though at other times 
it devours them greedily. The skin at different 
parts of the body appears loose, and of a less lively 
colour than before. At the appointed time for the 
performance of this great command of Nature, the 
animal begins to loosen the skin about its jaws 
with its fore feet, and continues to push it back- 
ward in a very gradual manner till it is able to slip 
out first one leg and then the other. When this is 
done, it proceeds to thrust the skin backwards as far 
as these legs can reach ; but is obliged to assist it- 
self by rubbing against pebbles, gravel, or any 
rough substance it can meet with, till it is more 
than half freed from its skin, which it thus con- 
trives to turn inside out over the hinder part of the 
body and tail. When the business is so far com- 
pleted, the water-newt turns its head round towards 
the tail, and, taking the loose skin in its mouth, sets 
its feet firmly upon it, and by degrees drags it com- 
pletely off ; the hind legs being extricated by this 
proceeding in the same manner as the fore legs were 
before. 
When the cast skin is examined, it will be found 
completely inverted, but without the smallest hole 
or rent. The part which covered the hind legs 
resembles a glove that has been turned without 
pulling out the tips of the fingers, while that which 
covered the fore legs remains within the skin. In 
