170 



INJURIOUS INSECTS OF 1904. 



toad has is the thoughtless boy, who sometimes brags of the num- 

 ber of toads he has killed in the spring, not realizing that he is not 

 only killing a perfectly harmless creature, but that every toad he 

 kills would, if allowed to live, have consumed thousands of insects 

 which prey upon plants of the garden and the farm. 



The toad's food must be alive in order to attract him, and it is 

 astonishing with what lightning-like rapidity his tongue is darted 

 out and drawn back with an insect. Awkward as he appears, he is 

 frequently quick enough in this process to catch an insect while on 

 the wing. This tongue, with which he accomplishes, this marvel- 

 ous work, unlike the tongue of most other animals, is attached at 

 the anterior end and free behind, admirably fitted, it will be seen, 

 for its purpose. 



We are indebted to Prof. R. A. Cooley of Montana for the use 

 of the photograph which precedes this article. 



Fig. 162.— "They Work While You Sleep." {Bufo vulgaris, B. variabilis and B. calamiia.) 



From Brehm. 



