SOME FACTS AND FICTIONS OF ZOOLOGY. 89 



air. We can understand this toleration on the part of 

 these animals when we take into consideration their cold- 

 blooded habits, which do not necessitate, and which are 

 not accompanied by, the amount of vital activity we are 

 accustomed to note in higher animals. And, as a last 

 feature in the purely scientific history of the frogs and toads, 

 it may be remarked that these animals are known to live for 

 long periods. One pet toad is.mentioned by a Mr. Arscott 



FIG. 8. Metamorphosis of the frog. 



as having attained, to his knowledge, the age of thirty- 

 six years ; and a greater age still might have been recorded 

 of this specimen, but for the untoward treatment it sus- 

 tained at the hands, or rather beak, of a tame raven. In 

 all probability it may be safely assumed that, when the con- 

 ditions of life are favourable, these creatures may attain a 



