WATER-NEWT. 
70 
this operation the water-newts differ from snakes, 
in not putting off the skin of their eyes; for we 
may always observe two little holes in the skin 
where the eyes have been. Mr. Baker says, it is 
very entertaining to observe the animal while en- 
gaged in this necessary work, which sometimes 
takes near half an hour to complete, and leaves 
the little creature full of life and vigour, as well as 
very sleek and beautiful. The cast skins may be 
frequently observed floating on the surface of stag- 
nant water. 
Mr. Baker, who made his observations on some of 
these reptiles kept in a large jar, informs us that if 
the cast skin is not soon removed it is very common 
for the newt to swallow it whole ; and if it begins 
with the head part, which is generally the case, 
the tail, being filled with air and water, becomes 
like a blown bladder, and proves so unmanage- 
able that it is very diverting to see the pains it 
costs the animal to reduce it to a condition fit to be 
got down its throat. 
The eggs of this species are deposited in a viscid 
substance which connects them all together ; and, 
as they increase in size, the young newts may be 
fairly seen inclosed in a fluid and coiled up within 
a transparent membrane. When the young first 
escape from their confinement, their shoulders are 
furnished with fringed tufts, like feathers, which 
serve the purpose of fins, and which are gradually 
obliterated as the animal grows larger. 
Water-newts are very tenacious of life, and have 
