42 Vitality of Toads, &c. 
Upon a review of these facts, it does not appear surprising, that 
these reptiles should, all or most of them, be found dead at the expi- 
ration of one or two years, and I doubt whether these experiments 
will be regarded as satisfactory. The very circumstances of these 
trials appear to admit the persistent vitality of these animals; for if 
there was any doubt as to the great length of time, that the princi- 
ple of life remains unextinguished in these reptiles, Dr. Buckland 
would not have made the experiments. 
In this ararig toads and frogs have been found in three differeit 
situation 
1. Toads have been frequently found in sinidatone of the second- 
ary formation, and in secondary limestone. 
2. In digging wells, where the workmen have come to beds - 
clay twelve or fifteen feet below the surface of the groun 
3. In the trunks of trees, which were appereny closed so as to 
be impervious to the air. 
In the first place, the toads that have wei found in the sandstone 
and limestone, were enclosed in cells just large enough to contain 
their bédies; and from every appearance, must have remained in 
that situation ever since the formation of the surrounding sandstone 
or limestone, in the water under which they appear to have been 
deposited. 
The cells that enclose these ‘reptiles were evidendy accommo- 
dated to their shape and size, and of course, the materials of which 
they are composed were then in a plastic or yielding condition, so as 
to suit the form of any body that might become enclosed in them. 
Now it is obvious, that if a living healthy toad or other reptile were 
enclosed in a cell of the size in which they are usually found, it 
would not live one half of the time that those did which were im- 
mured by Prof. Buckland ; for food and air are absolutely necessa- 
ry to every animal that has the use of its natural organs. 
But it is a well known fact, that toads, frogs, and other reptiles, 
have remained in a torpid state for many years, without any signs of 
life, and have revived, on being exposed to a higher temperature, 
with access of air. It is thus proved that respiration and the circu- 
lation of the blood are not necessary to the vitality of the cold blood- 
ed animals, during their hybernation; it appears, also, that the food 
taken into the stomach remains, unaltered and undigested, even at 
the end of three or four years, the same as if it had not been in the 
stomach more than a minute, provided, however, that the torpidity 
