110 BUFONID*. 



often found, amongst several Toads whicli I was then keep- 

 ing for the purpose of observing their habits, some of brighter 

 colours than usual, and Avith the surface moist and very 

 smooth, I had supposed that this appearance might have 

 depended upon the state of the animaFs health, or the in- 

 fluence of some peculiarity in one or other of its functions : 

 on watching carefully, however, I one day observed a large 

 one, the skin of which was particularly dry and dull in its 

 colours, with a bright streak down the mesial line of the 

 back ; and on examining further I discovered a corresponding 

 line along the belly. This proved to arise from an entire 

 slit in the old cuticle which exposed to view the new and 

 brighter skin underneath. Finding, therefore, what was 

 about to happen, I watched the whole detail of this curious 

 process. I soon observed that the two halves of the skin, 

 thus completely divided, continued to recede further and 

 further from the centre, and become folded and rugose ; and 

 after a short space, by means of the continued twitching of 

 the animal's body, it was brought down in folds on the sides. 

 The hinder leg, first on one side and then on the other, was 

 brought forward under the arm, which was pressed down 

 upon it, and on the hinder limb being withdrawn, its cuticle 

 was left inverted under the arm ; and that of the anterior 

 extremity was now loosened, and at length drawn oflT by the 

 assistance of the mouth. The whole cuticle was thus de- 

 tached, and was now pushed by the two hands into the 

 mouth in a little ball, and swallowed at a single gulp. I 

 afterwards had repeated opportunities of watching this cu- 

 rious process, Avhich did not materially vary in any instance. 



The reproduction of the Toad is in all essential points 

 similar to that of the Frog. The ova are in a similar man- 

 ner impregnated during their passage, and their immersion in 

 water is equally necessary for the developement of the em- 

 bryo. But instead of being expelled in a mass, they are 



