THE TOADS 2643 



aquatic. Moreover, the disc-footed toads {Nectophryne} of Western Africa and the 

 Oriental region, in which the toes terminate in disc-like pads, appear to be arboreal; 

 while the one Mexican representative of another genus (Rhinophrynus) is distin- 

 guished by its ant-eating habits. 



The common toad (Bufo vulgaris] is the typical representative of a 

 True Toads , ... . , , - 



large genus, with some eighty-five species, ranging over the whole 



world, with the exception of Madagascar, Australia, New Guinea, and the islands 

 of the Pacific. As a genus, the true toads are distinguished by the entire tongue, 

 the horizontal pupil of the eye, the freedom of the toes of the fore-foot, and the 

 partial webbing of those of the hind-limbs, as well as by the breastbone being either 

 cartilaginous or with only a partially ossified style. The degree of webbing of the 

 hind-toes varies; and while the tips of the toes are generally simple, they are some- 

 times expanded into small discs. The head may or may not have bony ridges. The 

 common toad belongs to a group characterized by the absence of these ridges, and 

 by the hind-toes being at least half webbed; while it is specially distinguished by 

 the absence of a fold on the ankle, and by the tubercles beneath the joints of the 

 hind-toes being mostly double. On the upper parts are more or less prominent 

 warts, which, although frequently spiny, are not distinctly porous; and the glands 

 behind the eyes are remarkably prominent, and of an elongated elliptical form. In 

 color, the upper parts are brownish, with darker spots or marblings; while the lower 

 surface is whitish, more or less thickly spotted with black. A black line runs on 

 the outer side of the gland behind the eye; this line, in specimens from China and 

 Japan, extending along the upper side of the flanks. The distributional area of the 

 species includes Europe, Asia (exclusive of India and adjacent regions), and North- 

 western Africa. Few animals have suffered more from popular superstition than 

 the common toad, which, although practically harmless, has been almost universally 

 shunned and detested. It is, however, true that the secretion from its skin is acrid and 

 irritating, as may be seen by the foaming lips of dogs which attempt to meddle with 

 these amphibians. Sluggish and terrestrial in its habits, the toad needs not the 

 long and fully-webbed hind-limbs of its active cousin, the frog; its usual pace being 

 a kind of crawl, although, when disturbed, it can execute an imperfect leap. When 

 alarmed, or threatened with danger, a toad immediately stops and puffs out its body 

 to its utmost capacity, at the same time causing the acrid secretion to exude from 

 the pores of its skin, and likewise discharging a pure limpid fluid from a special res- 

 ervoir. Of its general habits, Bell writes that the toad ' ' becomes torpid during 

 the winter, and chooses for its retreat some retired and sheltered hole, a hollow 

 tree, or a space among large stones, or some such place, and there remains until the 

 return of spring calls it again into a state of life and activity. Its food consists of 

 insects and worms of almost every kind. It refuses food which is not living, and, 

 indeed, will only take it at the moment when it is in motion. When about to feed 

 the toad remains motionless with its eyes turned directly upon the object, and the 

 head a little inclined toward it, and in this attitude it remains until the insect 

 moves; when, by a stroke like lightning, the tongue is thrown forward upon the 

 victim, which is instantly drawn into the mouth. . . . When the prey is taken, 

 it is slightly pressed by the margins of the jaws; but as this seldom kills it, unless 



