128 0UR REPTILES. 



or strive to mystify, what they do not comprehend, 

 they look too closely at facts, and are too chary of 

 deductions, without sound foundation, to accept 

 mere affirmations in lieu of proof. All we can say 

 is — « It may be so, and it may not" The latter 

 alternative seems the most probable. 



The " toad-stone " or " toad's jewel " was one of 

 the superstitions of a superstitious age, alluded to 

 in the lines — 



Sweet are the uses of adversity, 

 Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, 

 Wears yet a precious jewel in his head. 



— it having been supposed that in the head of the 

 toad was to be found a wonderful stone, which was 

 strong in curative power and magical virtue. 



The most singular supposed association of toads 

 with some kinds of fungi, whence the latter have 

 been said to derive their name of " toadstools," 

 evidently arose in a mistaken and foolish applica- 

 tion of a new sense to an old compound, after the 

 original meaning and derivation had been forgotten. 

 This word is clearly derived from the German 

 "tod" and " stuhl," meaning "death-stool," in 

 reference to the poisonous nature of some, and the 

 supposed dangerous character of others, of the 

 stalked fungi, and, despite our woodcut, has nothing 

 whatever to do with toads, as commonly supposed. 



