BRITISH AMPHIBIANS 
That the Toad exudes a sticky secretion from its skin, 
for the purpose of protecting itself from enemies, is quite 
true, but it even ceases to do this harmless act when it 
realises that no danger is likely to come to it. The 
tongue, too, is coated with a viscous substance to enable 
the amphibian to more easily capture its prey, and this 
has given rise to many misconceptions. Gilbert White 
of Selborne was sorely puzzled as to the supposed veno- 
mous character of the Toad, but many extraordinary 
things were still believed in his day which have since 
been entirely exploded. Yet, it should be recognised 
that some good was thought of the Toad in the days of 
the stage coach and wind-mills, for we are told that, in 
White’s time, the foul and apparently incurable disease 
of cancer was actually cured by the application of a 
Toad to the affected person. A curious superstition, 
or belief, still existent in country districts has reference 
to the sudden appearance of showers of Frogs, but the 
phenomenon is due to the fact already referred to of 
armies of young Frogs migrating from the pond in which 
they were born, and as these marches often take place in 
rainy or showery weather, the illusion is all the more 
complete. 
Newts, inoffensive and sluggish creatures at all times, 
are not immune from these old-time fallacies, and the 
whole subject is brim full of interest as revealing how an 
animal’s blameless character can be distorted. It is the 
way of the world to-day in human life and endeavour. 
A man, or woman’s, good deeds are woefully, or in- 
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