166 INJURIOUS INSECTS OF 1904. 



THE COMMON TOAD A FRIEND TO GARDENERS. 



Most of the old superstitions regarding the toad, such as the 

 possession of a jewel in its head, and that warts are produced on 

 one's hands from handling, etc., have been pretty much done away 

 with. We hear astonishing stories regarding the finding of live 

 toads encased in solid rock, in wood, etc., evidence going to prove 

 that they have been thus buried for many years. These stories 

 are not authenticated, however, and may be looked upon as myths. 

 The ancients believed, too, that toads had medicinal value ; that 

 broth made of toad's entrails was poisonous, that any part of the 

 toad if eaten would cause death, that killing toads on the farm would 

 make the cows give bloody milk, etc. These and similar superstitions 

 have given away before modern education. Nevertheless, that 

 toads are long lived, and may endure what would seem to be un- 

 favorable conditions for a long time, is well known. We hear of 

 a toad in Europe said to have reached the age of thirty-six years 

 before it was killed by accident. We are told by Mr. Mosher, a 

 most careful observer, that he has "positive knowledge of a toad 

 which had occupied a door yard for at least eight years." Other 

 testimony regarding the longevity, not so satisfactory, claims 

 twelve years for one and twenty-three years for another. These 

 statements may be correct, but we lack absolute proof. Of par- 

 ticular interest, and having a bearing upon the reports that toads 

 have been found encased in rocks, etc., is the fact that Mr. Herri- 

 sant in 1877 placed three toads in sealed boxes of plaster, and 

 found two of them alive when the boxes were opened eighteen 

 months after. Later experiments along the same line, however, 

 indicate that they are not capable of standing such imprisonment 

 without food for an unlimited time. 



Very few realize the immense good done by the common toad 

 in consuming insects which are, for the most part, injurious to the 

 flower and vegetable garden. He is a true insect hunter and 

 therefore deserves a place in the Entomologist's Report. 



A few words as to the life history of the toad may not be out 

 of place. In the spring of the year both sexes repair to pools and 



