1 62 ANURA CHAP, 



Pelobates (" Spade-foot "). — The tympanum is absent ; the toes 

 are webbed. The inner tarsal tubercle is large, and is transformed 

 into a shovel wliich is covered with a hard, sharp-edged, horny 

 sheath. The skin of the upper surface of the head is partly 

 co-ossified with the Underlying cranial bones, giving tliem a 

 pitted appearance. The general shape is toad-like. 



P. fuse us. — The smooth skin is brown aliove, with darker 

 marblings, while the under parts are whitish, but the coloration 

 varies greatly, from pale to dark brown or olive-grey with more 

 or less prominent irregular dark, sometimes confluent, patches. 

 Some specimens are adorned with numerous red spots. The 

 tarsal spur is yellow or light brown. The iris is metallic red 

 or golden. The male has a long oval gland on the upper 

 surface of the upper arm, and although possessed of a voice, has 

 no vocal sacs. The total length of full-grown females is nearly 

 3 inches, that of males half an inch less. 



The " Spade - footed Toad," whicli occurs throughout the 

 whole of Central Europe, extends from Belgium and the 

 middle of France to North -Western Persia, and from the southern 

 end of Sweden to Northern Italy. It prefers sandy localities, 

 in order to dig its deep hole, in which it sits concealed 

 during the daytime. Owing to the looseness of the sand, 

 the hole is filled up so that no trace of its inhabitant is 

 left. The digging is done by means of the spades, and in 

 suitable localities the animal soon vanishes, sinking backwards 

 out of sight. Except in the breeding season, or at night, it is 

 therefore found only accidentally. The sand-loving habits do 

 not, however, prevent it from enjoying moist localities. Several 

 which I have kept for years dig themselves into the wettest 

 moss in preference to the drier parts of their habitation. Being 

 thoroughly nocturnal, they hunt after nightfall, the food consist- 

 ing of all sorts of insects and of worms. When captured they 

 utter a startling shrill cry, and their skin becomes covered with 

 a dermal secretion which smells like garlic, a peculiarity whicli 

 has given them in Germany the name of " Knoblauchskrote," 

 " garlic-toad." Although they become very tame, so that they 

 no longer smell when handled, they can be made ill-tempered 

 by being pinched or otherwise teased, whereupon they take up 

 a defiant attitude, and with open mouth continue to cry for 

 several minutes. Some such scenes occur now and then, without 



