23 



observed by watching one out of doors some summer evening or after 



a shower; but it is more satisfactory to have a nearer view. Put a 



large toad into a box or into a glass dish 

 with some moist sand on the bottom, and 

 put the dish in a cod, shady place so 

 that the toad will not become overheated. 

 In a little while, if one is gentle, the toad 

 will see that it is not going to be hurt, 

 and then if flies and other insects arc 

 put into the dish and the top covered 

 with mosquito netting one can watch the 

 process of capture. It is very quickly 

 accomplished, and one must look sharply. 

 As shown in the little picture on this page 

 the toad's tongue is fastened at the front 

 part of its mouth, not back in the throat 

 as with men, dogs, cats and most 

 animals. It is so nicely arranged that it 

 can be extended for quite a distance. 

 On it is a sticky secretion, and when, 

 quick as a flash, the tongue is thrown out 

 or extended, if it touches the insect, the 

 insect is caught as if by sticky fly paper, 

 and is taken into the mouth. (Sec the 

 picture.) 

 (p^.^^ Think how many insects and worms a 



^^^^^ toad could destroy in a single summer. 



Practically every insect and worm de- 

 stroyed adds to the produce of the garden 

 and the farm, or takes away one cause of 

 discomfort to men and animals. One 

 observer reports that a single toad dis- 

 posed of 24 caterpillars in ten minutes, 

 and another ate 35 celery worms within 



three hours. He estimates that a good sized toad will destroy nearly 



10,000 insects and worms in a single summer. 



Toad catchin.^ a luinged in- 

 sect, and illustrating:^ how 

 the tongue is extended and 

 brought in contact with the 

 insect. Several other crea- 

 tures that the toad might eat 

 are shown in various parts 

 of the picture. 



