SERVICES TO MANKIND. 177 



moral truth it contains. Most certainly the poor creature has 

 had no lack of " adversity," and it is no unfair inference that his 

 mild and chastened disposition has in part at least been induced 

 thereby. The Toad repays xis for a reputation for all that is 

 bad, falsely and maliciously put upon him, with a willingness to be 

 of use to us, and a readiness to receive our kindness and to recipro- 

 cate our friendship, which fairly entitle him to a higher place in 

 cur regard. The London market-gardeners know his value well, 

 and we little think that some of their choicest and most dainty 

 productions come to our tables in such good condition as they do, 

 only because this little outcast has been keeping diligent watch 

 and ward over the insect pests that assail them. Moreover, let 

 those fair dames who shudder with disgust at the sight of a Toad 

 on the garden path, remember, that but for its presence, their 

 borders and parterres would often present an appearance not at 

 all to their liking. It ought long ere this to have become uni- 

 versally recognized, that the Toad is not only inoffensive and 

 harmless, but positively and eminently useful ; that in fact it is 

 one of the most efficient members of that great army of re- 

 pressive agents, whose business it is, in accordance with the wise 

 and beneficent arrangements of the great Author of nature, to 

 check and keep under the teeming abundance of the lower forms 

 of animal life. 



But the Toad is not only one of our appointed servants, he is 

 also willing to become an intimate and confiding fr-iend. 



Numerous instances have been recorded of Toads that have 

 been rendered tame and attached to those who have treated them 

 kindly. Mr. Bell mentions that he possessed one which would 

 sit on one of his hands, and eat the food offered to it on the 

 other. And Dr. Lankester speaks of haviag repeatedly seen 

 them made the domestic pets of the children of a naturalist. 

 But perhaps the most interesting case of this kind, is that of the 

 Toad mentioned by Pennent, in his " British Zoology ;" and 

 though the story of this worthy has often been told, it well de- 

 serves to be told again. The animal first made its appearance 

 on the steps before the hall door of a gentleman's residence in 

 Devonshire. The owner of the mansion and his family seeing 

 the creature, frequently gave it food, and, by gentle treatment, 

 gradually rendered it so tame, that, when they came out of an 

 evening with a candle, it would creep out of its hole and look 



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