“This is a lucky find, boys,” said their uncle. “Great crested newts, and what beauties they are!”
The boys were surprised to see him take one of the newts out of the net in his hand. He turned them over and looked at them closely before putting them into the jar.
“Aren’t you afraid they will bite you, Uncle George?” Tom asked.
“No, they cannot bite, and for a very good reason. They have got no teeth. They are most harmless creatures.
“But we must be getting home, boys. We have done well for our first visit to the pond. I will tell you all about what we have found when we get home, and you must watch them closely for yourselves.”
“Are we going to keep all these animals?” Frank asked.
“We will keep them for a little while, so as to find out what we can about them, then we will put them in the pond again.”
Exercises on Lesson VII.
1. What did the boys find in the pond? 2. What other living things may be seen in ponds? Make a list of all the pond creatures you know. 3. Why do caddis “worms” build cases round themselves? 4. Can newts bite? Give reason.