26 



BATRACHIANS. 



where stagnant and corrupt water has lain a long time. It is found 

 in dung heaps, caves, and in dark and damp parts of woods. One 

 has often been disagreeably surprised on raising some great stone 

 to discover a Toad cowering against the earth, frightful to see, 

 but timorous, seeking to avoid the notice of strangers. It is in 

 these different obscure and sometimes foetid places of refuge that 

 the Toad shuts itself up during the day; going out in the evening, 

 when our common species moves by slight hops ; whilst another, 

 the Natterjack Toad, Bufo calamita, only crawls, though some- 

 what fastl3^ When seized, it voids into the hand a quantity of 

 limpid water imbibed through the pores of its skin ; but if more 



^^s:^My 



Fig. 7. — The Common Toad {Bufo vulgaris). ^ 



irritated, a milky and venomous humour issues from the glands 

 of its back. 



One peculiarity of its structure offers a defence from outward 

 attacks. Its very extensible skin adheres feebl}^ to the muscles, 

 and at the will of the animal a large quantity of air enters 

 between this integument and the flesh, which distends the body, 

 and fills the vacant space with an elastic bed of gas, by means of 

 which it is less sensible to blows. Toads feed upon insects, worms, 

 and small mollusks. In fine evenings, at certain seasons especially, 

 they may be heard uttering a plaintive monotonous sound. They 

 assemble in ponds, or even in simple puddles of water, where they 



