374 Mr. Jenyns on the Natter-Jack, 



The first instance in which this reptile occurred to my notice 

 was in August 1824, when it was discovered by Professor Henslow 

 and myself, in considerable abundance, in the bogs upon Gam- 

 lingay Heath. Soon after our visit to that spot, a single individual 

 was found by myself at Bottishara, and a second has since been 

 met with by Professor Henslow in the Botanic Garden. I am 

 now inclined to the opinion, that it is not so very local a species 

 as was formerly supposed, but that from its general resemblance 

 to the common Toad, it has been often overlooked. 



The individuals found at Gamlingay, and which are the 

 subject of the following remarks, I brought away with me from 

 that place alive, and succeeded in keeping in that state during 

 a period of nearly two months. For the first fortnight after their 

 confinement, these animals refused every kind of food that was 

 oft'ered to them; nor could I perceive that they ate any thing 

 which happened to fall in their way, though they retained both 

 their plumpness and activity. At the end of that period, however, 

 they became more reconciled to their situation, and readily de- 

 voured flies and other insects that were placed before them, 

 although it was absolutely necessary that the.se should be given 

 them alive : indeed in no instance could they be induced to touch 

 their prey, till it began to move, and to shew signs of ineparing 

 to escape. Their manner of seizing their food was very curious. 

 As soon as an insect was thrown down into the cage in which 

 tliey were kept, the first individual that saw it immediately 

 pricked up his head, turned quickly round, and ran towards it 

 till it got within a certain distance, when it would again stop, — 

 crouch down upon its belly with its hind legs stretched out, and 

 gaze at it with all the silent eagerness of a staunch pointer. In 

 this position it would always remain till its prey began to move, 

 when, just as the victim was about to make its escape, it would 

 suddenly dart out its tongue, and lick it up with a rapidity too 



