The Surinam Toad. 509 



so far conquered the horrors instilled into them by their 

 nurses as generally to request to see it fed. It appeared 

 most partial to flesh-maggots, which were kept for it in 

 bran. It would follow them on the table, and, when 

 within a proper distance, would fix its eyes and remain 

 motionless for a little while, apparently to prepare for 

 the stroke which was to follow, and which was instan- 

 taneous. It threw out its tongue to a great distance, and 

 the insect, stuck by the glutinous matter to its tip, was 

 swallowed by a motion quicker than the eye could fol- 

 low. After having been kept more than thirty-six years 

 it was at length destroyed by a tame raven, which one 

 day seeing it at the mouth of its hole pulled it out, and 

 so wounded it that it died. 



THE SUEINAM TOAD, (Pipa Americana,) 



WHICH is one of the ugliest of all Toads, is remarkable 

 for the mode in which the young are developed. The 

 female, like that of the common Toad, deposits her eggs 

 at the edge of the water, but instead of leaving them 

 there, the male takes the mass of eggs and places them 

 on the back of his partner, pressing them down into 

 a number of curious pits, which are produced in that 

 part at the breeding season. When each of the pits has 

 received its egg, the orifice becomes closed by a sort of 

 lid, and the young animal goes through all its changes 



