TAILLESS BATRACHIANS 223 



larger warts are often red ; a yellow vertebral line almost 

 invariably extends along the middle of the back. The 

 lower surfaces are dirty white, spotted with blackish. 



Owing to its remarkably short hind limbs the Natterjack 

 is unable to hop, but progresses by running, the body 

 being raised from the ground. The breeding season is 

 very prolonged, and may last from the end of April until 

 the beginning of August. The eggs, about 4,000 in 

 number, are laid in strings of two files, and are deposited 

 in small ponds. In Northern Europe, where this species 

 is very abundant in the sand-hills close to the sea, the eggs 

 may be deposited in small, strongly brackish pools, in which 

 the larvae develop as rapidly as in the case of those in 

 fresh water. The tadpole is the smallest of all European 

 species, seldom attaining a length of more than three- 

 quarters of an inch. The Natterjack Toad will live for a 

 considerable time in captivity, provided it is kept dry and 

 given opportunities for burrowing. 



The American Toad, B. lentiginosus, the commonest 

 toad of the Eastern United States, is light brown or olive 

 above, with pale patches, and with yellow warts. In this 

 toad, which may measure up to four inches in length, the 

 head is rather large ; the skin is very warty, and the 

 kidney-shaped parotoid glands are well developed. The 

 tympanum is nearly as large as the eye. 



Pairing takes place from the end of April until the 

 beginning of July, when the eggs, up to 12,000 in number, 

 are produced in long coils as in our Common Toad. 



The Oak Toad, B. quercicus, one of the smallest of toads, 

 measuring not much more than an inch in length, is found 

 in Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The coloration is 

 dark brown, with a yellow vertebral streak extending to the 



