19G CORRESPONDENCE. 



in passing so large a body into its stomach. It appeared to me more like drawing 

 the skin of the Snake over the Toad than the action of swallowing. The means 

 by which this was accomplished seemed to be by the jaws getting a considerable 

 quantity of loose skin arranged in folds around the body of the Toad, and then by 

 a convulsive jerk advancing the head forwards. The poor Toad seemed perfectly 

 aware of the danger of its situation, and offered all the obstruction in its power, 

 by swelling its body and cheeks, and extending its fore legs at right angles to the 

 jaws of the Snake. 



My anxiety to obtain a closer view alarmed the Snake, which ceased its 

 attempts to swallow its victim, which it disgorged by two or three smart jerks, 

 and then made the best of its way to an adjoining copse : but I killed it before 

 it reached the wood. 



On turning to examine the unfortunate Toad — which had hobbled off to the 

 extent of its ability — I found that it had received no further injury than a 

 few scratches on its belly, caused evidently by the action of the Snake's lower 

 jaw passing over the body. I carried the poor creature beside a hedge, and 

 there left it to ruminate upon its escape from the jaws of death. 



Very truly yours, 



W. H. Bensted. 



Maidstone, Feb. 7, 1838. 



Formation of the Bark and Wood of Trees. 



To the Editor of the Naturalist. 



My dear Sir, — The " fact for naturalists" inserted in Vol. II., p. 492, of your 

 Magazine, quite confirms the views of botanists on the formation of the bark and 

 wood of trees. The tree being brought together by the chain, after being shivered 

 by lightning, would still derive nutriment from the earth which would enable its 

 leaves to send downwards a new formation of wood ; this latter would, in the 

 course of a few years, not only cover the chain, but also consolidate its broken 

 parts. 



I remain, 



Yours sincerely, 

 Campsall, near Doncasler, Edwin Lankester. 



Jan. 12, 1838. 



