LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 



United States Dkpaktment of Agricultuhe, 



Division of Entomology, 

 Washington, D. C, April ^2, 1904. 

 Dear Sir: I submit herewith a short paper on The Usefulness of the American 

 Toad, prepared by A. H. Kirkland, M. S., of Boston, Mass., an entomologist and 

 writer on entomological subjects. Mr. Kirkland has made a somewhat thorough 

 and extended study of the toad as a destroyer of insects, arriving at the conclusion 

 that this little animal is a valuable friend to all who are engaged in agriculture, and 

 supporting this conclusion with evidence derived fiom his investigations. In the 

 hope that the toad's life history and habits may be better understood, its usefulness 

 more fully appreciated, and its protection from wanton destruction secured, it is 

 recommended that this paper be published as a Farmers' Bulletin. 

 Respectfully, 



L. O. Howard, 



Entomologist. 

 Hon. James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculiure. 



CONTENTS. 



Fiage. 



Introduction 3 



Life history and habits 4 



Feeding habits 6 



The food of the toad ♦. 7 



Economic status of the insects destroyed by the toad 12 



The toad's capacity for good 13 



Natural enemies of the toad 11 



How the toad may be made useful 14 



The study of the toad 15 



2 

 196 



