COMMON TOAD. 109 



was to them a totally unprecedented sight. A Toad was 

 squatted on the ground, with its front elevated, holding 

 the head of a viper in its mouth. The viper writhed its 

 body occasionally, as if trying to escape, but its exertions 

 were to no purpose. After watching the two animals for a 

 short time, one of the party attempted to separate the victim 

 from its enemy with a stick ; but failing in this, he threw 

 both together into the glen below. The countenance of the 

 Toad evinced much ferocity, and its eyes glared. The en- 

 tire head of the viper was in the Toad's mouth, which seemed 

 completely filled in consequence, and its jaws were perfectly 

 closed ; and yet it did not appear at all inconvenienced by 

 the mouthful, respiring apparently without effort. 



'' The gentleman who, with his two companions, witnessed 

 this, and who has related it to me, is the Rev. John Phillips, 

 Vicar of Ninfield, near Battle, and I am his curate. 



" Should this relation be as curious as it appears to me, 

 it will doubtless be w^orth your notice ; but should it be no- 

 thing unusual, I must beg you will pardon my thus troubling 

 you, and I may be permitted to remain, 



" Sir, 

 " Your humble servant, 

 " And well-wisher in the cause of Natural History 

 (Signed) " Edward H. M. Sladen. 

 "• Further to authenticate this account, I have requested 

 Mr. Phillips to add his signature. 



(Signed) " John Phillips.'' 

 Like the other Amphibia, and the Reptilia generally, the 

 Toad sheds its skin at certain intervals, the old cuticle 

 coming off, and leaving a new one which had been formed 

 underneath in its stead. There are some very remarkable 

 circumstances connected with this process, which I detailed 

 many years ago to the Zoological Club of the Linnean So- 

 ciety, and of which the following is the substance. Having 



5 



