A GREAT many queer things happen in this world, and this morning I
saw one of them. We have a little aquarium,—just a long glass box,
with some stones arranged in it to form a pretty little rock-work, and
plenty of bladder-wort for the fish to feed on.
We have a good many fish,—three stickle-backs, and a lot of dace, the
pretty silver dace, and some minnows and a crayfish; but the pride
of the aquarium is the newt. Did you ever see a newt? He is a little
creature, like a lizard, about two inches long; in color, light brown,
with black spots. He is quite tame, and not in the least afraid of
us. Well, yesterday morning I was watching the fish, and seeing that
the greedy ones did not get more than their share of breakfast, when
Master Newt came up out of the water and seated himself on the top
of the rock-work, which projects an inch or two above the surface.
He sat quite still for a few minutes, and I made no motion, thinking
he had come to take a look at the upper world, and would prefer to
be left to himself. Presently he began to move his little paws about
(they are just like tiny hands, with long, thin fingers), and to rub
himself, and wriggle about in a very queer way. I had watched him
for some minutes before I realized what he was doing, but suddenly
it flashed upon me that he was going to change his skin. I knew that
newts often changed their skin, but I never expected to see one do
it. Presently it was loose enough, and my little friend began to draw
it off, slowly, beginning with the paws. The skin came off in perfect
shape, and in a moment there was a pair of fairy gloves floating in
the water, the prettiest things that ever were seen. Next, Master Newt
began to unbutton his waistcoat, so to speak, and then to take off
coat, waistcoat, breeches and all. He did look very fine in his new
coat, which shone with lovely colours, and was as soft and smooth as
gossamer. I thought I should like to have a new dress every day if I
could manage it with no more trouble than this. But what was he going
to do with his old clothes? There were no closets in the aquarium, no
clothes-bags, no obliging old-clothes-fish who would take it off his
hands and give him a trifle for it. What would he do with the old suit?
I was soon to see. Master Newt sat still for a few minutes after his
great feat, seeming to enjoy the change, waving his delicate crest with
evident satisfaction; then he took up the old suit of skin, which lay
on the rock beside him. And then,—who can guess what he did next? Mind,
I saw this with my own two eyes, the very ones that are looking down on
this paper as I write. Why, he rolled it up carefully, made a ball of
it, and then ate it up!