68 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 
The habits of this animal are somewhat nocturnal; coming out of its hole in the dusk of 
the evening, and hopping about in search of food. I have also noticed it during the day time, 
crouched in a shallow cavity, with its body so much depressed as to appear nearly orbicular, 
and apparently on the look-out for its prey. Although according to our notions of beauty he 
is considered to be a disgusting looking animal, yet we are not to overlook his value in di- 
minishing the number of noxious insects ; and I have been assured that his flesh is as delicate 
an article of food, as the frog itself. It is a timid, inoffensive, and entirely harmless animal, 
and has even been domesticated. The popular belief in its poisonous properties, is unfounded. 
There is, it is true, an acrid secretion from the follicles of the skin, which may serve as a 
protection against some of its enemies. Dr. Davy supposes that it may be excrementitious, 
carrying off a portion of carbon from the blood, and thus be auxiliary to the functions of the 
lungs. They live upon insects, earthworms, etc., which they always seize when in motion, 
refusing to touch any dead food. In their turn, they are preyed upon by the larger reptiles, 
especially by the two striped snakes and the other species. Like the frog, its young are 
developed in water, and pass through the tadpole state ; and it is also furnished with a sac for 
holding the water obtained through the cutaneous absorbents. It sheds its skin at certain 
intervals, and according to the observations of Mr. Bell, swallows it as soon as it is detached. 
Dr. Holbrook informs me that he has seen this species as far north as the River Saco, New- 
Hampshire, and probably it will be found still farther. Its southern and western limits appear 
to be defined by the hilly regions, as contradistinguished from the alluvial lands bordering on 
the Atlantic. Kirtland notices it in Ohio. 
(EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 
B. lentiginosus. (Hoxsroox, Vol. 1, pl.9; and Vol. 4, pl. 1, 2d Ed.) Upper jaw emarginate; lower 
with a process in front. Head large; superciliary ridge much elevated. Rufous brown. Length 
three inches. Southern States. 
B. erythronotus. (Ip. Vol. 3, pl. 21; and Vol. 5, pl. 2, 2d Ed.) Brickdust color above; yellowish 
white beneath. Head short, rather pointed. Length one and a half inches. South Carolina. 
B. quercicus. (Ip. Vol. 5, pl. 3, 24 Ed.) Very small. Head short, pointed; superciliary orbits 
slightly elevated. Body very flat, rounded at the flanks. A yellowish vertebral line. Length 0°75. 
Carolinas. 
B. cognatus. (Ip. Vol. 5, pl. 5.) Channelled posteriorly between the orbits, but effaced in front. A 
vertebral line, and oblique lateral yellowish lines. Foot with a spade-like process. Length three - 
inches. Upper Missowri. 
