stage and from two to three more years to attain adult size in most sections 

 of the country, so that commercial production offers many difficulties. 



Frogs and toads are of far greater value as insect destroyers than as food. 

 With the exception of the bullfrog and his near relatives, all of them do more 

 or less hunting on land. The toads, especially, are frequent tenants of gardens 

 and no caterpillar is too hairy or cutworm too bitter for their taste. One of 

 the creatures in action makes a grotesque spectacle. Slowly and solemnly it 

 walks on tiptoe around an earthworm or insect larva until it finally determines 

 to its own satisfaction which end represents the head. Then with deliberate 

 aim it shoots out its tongue, which is attached in front so that it may be pre 

 jected to a surprising distance to adhere to its prey. The captive morsel is 

 speedily retrieved, after which the animal sits quietly and appears to meditate 

 for a few moments. Suddenly the eyes roll and seem to sink into the head as 

 they help to push the food down the creature's throat. Frogs and toads, like 

 birds, should be protected because of their economic value as insect destroyers 

 as well as for sentimental and other less practical reasons. 



The toads have been the victims of several unfortunate and erroneous 

 superstitions. The idea that handling toads will cause warts on human hands 

 is without foundation. The warts of the toad, however, mark the position of 

 glands that secrete an acrid fluid when the animal is greatly alarmed or injured. 

 A puppy, after having picked up a toad and mouthed it a bit, will drop it 

 abruptly and show considerable distress for an hour or more. Even toad eggs 

 contain this bitter substance, as a courageous investigator can quickly verify. 

 Dried and powdered toads were an ancient ingredient used by apothecaries of 

 former days. Recent studies have shown some scientific basis for this use. An' 

 other popular but false idea is that toads can live entombed in rock or sealed 

 in corner-stones for centuries. A toad seeking hibernation quarters can work 

 itself into small crevices, but cannot survive a summer without food or even a 

 few days without moisture. Stories of toads buried deep in the soil have some 

 basis. All toads bury themselves for the winter, digging deeper and deeper 

 in order to keep below the frost line. They also bury themselves in summer to 

 escape drought. The spadefoot toads, especially, are known to attain depths 

 of several feet. 



Frogs or toads kept as pets are best confined in a terrarium built up with 

 moss, liverworts and other hardy woodland plants. A small dish filled with 

 water and sunken in the vegetation provides moisture and adds greatly to the 

 attractiveness of such a display. Small flying insects, insect larvae and earth' 

 worms appeal to most frogs. Many learn to jump for bits of raw meat dangled 

 on the end of a string. The Hylas make especially interesting pets and show 

 intriguing changes and variety of color. An educational exhibit can be main' 

 taned by raising young frogs from eggs up through the tadpole stages. The 

 tadpoles should be removed from the original container as they hatch, so that 



