Page:Natural History, Reptiles.djvu/278

270 These creatures do not, however, like some of the snakes, put off the coverings of the eyes along with the skin; for two round holes always appear where the eyes have been. This operation occupies nearly half an hour; and after it is finished, the Newt appears in full vigour. If the skin be not taken away very shortly after it is cast, the animal usually swallows it. Sometimes it begins with the head part first; and the tail, being filled with air and water, becomes like a blown bladder, and proves so unmanageable, that it is very diverting to see the pains it costs to discharge these, and to reduce it to a condition to pass down the throat.

M. Dufay informs us, that it frequently happens to a Newt, not to be able to get the old skins removed from one of the feet; and that the portion of the skin which remains, becoming corrupted, often occasions a species of gangrene in the foot. This foot soon afterwards falls off; but instead of killing the animal, it is, in a little while, replaced by another. Newts are still more liable to lose their toes in this manner. The cast skins of Newts are frequently to be seen floating on the surface of stagnant waters.

The Smooth-newt feeds on the larvae of water-insects, the grubs of gnats, blood-worms, &c., on flies and gnats that alight on the water, on the spawn of frogs and toads, as well as on slugs. In its turn it becomes the prey of a kindred species, the Great Warty-newt (Triton cristatus).