108 BUFONIDE. 



mucous secretion, the insect is secured by its adhesive 

 quality. When the prey is taken it is slightly pressed by 

 the margins of the jaw ; but as this seldom kills it, unless it 

 be a soft tender larva, it is generally swallowed alive ; and I 

 have often seen the muscles of the Toad*'s sides twitch in a 

 very curious manner, from the tickling movements of a hard 

 coleopterous insect in the stomach. It will also take earth- 

 worms of considerable size, and it is a very curious sight to 

 watch the manner in which the powerful and writhing worm is 

 secured. If the Toad happen to take it by the middle, the 

 extremities of the worm are twined with great force and ac- 

 tivity around the muzzle in every direction, in its attempts to 

 escape ; but the Toad pushes one portion after another into 

 its mouth, by means of the fore feet, until it all disappears, 

 when it is swallowed whole. 



For the following very curious and almost marvellous 

 statement, I am indebted to the Rev. J. Sladen, of Ninfield, 

 who kindly communicated it to me in the following letter, 

 which I give verbatim and entire, and without attempting to 

 account for the extraordinary fact : — 



" Sir, Ninfield, Sussex, Feb. 14, 1836. 



" As you are now engaged in writing a history of British 

 Reptiles, I am induced to send you an account of a fact that 

 has lately come to my knowledge, thinking it may be thought 

 by you worth recording. 



The fact I have to relate was witnessed in the month of 

 August 1814, and the scene of it was the Fairlight Downs, 

 near Hastings ; the exact spot being part of an open and 

 bold height facing the sea, and looking down upon a glen 

 covered with brambles, &c. The hour was about noon, and 

 the sun was shining powerfully at the time. 



A gentleman was taking a walk with two companions, when 

 on arriving at the spot above described, they saw what 



