88 Mr. FothergilVs Hints towards 



fed during the summer ; this was continued several years, 

 making its first appearance the latter end of May, and re- 

 treating about the middle of September. That this toad di- 

 stinguished the writer and the persons of his family (who were 

 in the daily habit of feeding it) from strangers, he cannot 

 doubt, as it would permit them to stroke and pat it without 

 discovering much inclination to hide itself from observation. 

 What exit it made was never known. 



J. Arscott, Esq. in his letter to Pennant before alluded to, 

 says, " I imagine if a bee was placed before a toad, it would 

 certainly eat it to its cost." This was undoubtedly a mistaken 

 idea, as the Apis mellifica, cotfiea, terrestris, and the Vespa 

 vulgaris, are its favourite food, the writer having for many 

 years given them in large quantities to many different toads 

 with perfect impunity, and no otherwise disabled than having 

 a wing cut off to prevent their flying away. When they have 

 struck any of the above insects, deglutition does not imme- 

 diately take place as in other cases, but the lower mandible 

 remains closely compressed against the upper for a few se- 

 conds, in which time the bee or wasp is killed and all danger 

 of being stung avoided. The protuberances in the upper and 

 lower mandible, before remarked, appear to be destined for 

 this office. 



A fine toad having taken up its abode in a convenient situa- 

 tion for feeding, some honey was spread on a leaf, and placed 

 at a little distance from it. The honey soon attracted a number 

 of* flies and wasps, and it was surprising to see the caution with 

 which it approached the leaf, and its dexterity in striking the 

 insects as they alighted; pleased with its situation and en- 

 tertainment, it resorted to the same place many days. One 

 morning another toad had placed itself about a foot distant 

 from the former; a variety of insects were dropped one by one 

 between them ; their attention was mutually attracted, and 

 they frequently set at the same insect ; yet the disappointed 

 toad never discovered the least resentment or vindictive spirit, 

 nor did the writer on this or any other occasion ever observe 

 the least disposition to quarrel with or annoy each other. 



Having for many years fed toads with a great variety of 

 insects, it occurred to the writer to try them with the young 

 of their own species. A small one (about three-fourths of an 

 inch long) was procured and dropped before a full-grown 

 toad : as soon as the little victim began to move off, it was 

 eagerly pursued, struck at, and fairly swallowed. This experi- 

 ment has been frequently repeated with many different toads, 

 with various success, and it must be admitted that more will 

 refuse than devour the young of their own species. 



To 



