118 BUFONID^E. 



insect is secured by its adhesive quality. When the prey 

 is taken it is slightly pressed by the margins of the jaw ; 

 but as this seldom kills it, unless it be a soft tender larva, 

 it is generally swallowed alive ; and I have often seen the 

 muscles of the Toad's sides twitch in a very curious manner, 

 from the tickling movements of a hard coleopterous insect 

 in the stomach. It will also take earth-worms of consi- 

 derable size, and it is a very curious sight to watch the 

 manner in which the powerful and writhing worm is se- 

 cured. If the Toad happen to take it by the middle, the 

 extremities of the worm are twined with great force and 

 activity around the muzzle in every direction, in its at- 

 tempts to escape ; but the Toad pushes one portion after 

 another into its mouth, by means of the fore feet, until it 

 all disappears, when it is swallowed whole. 



For the following very curious and almost marvellous 

 statement, I am indebted to the Rev. J. Sladen, of Ninfield, 

 who kindly communicated it to me in the following letter, 

 which I give verbatim and entire, and without attempting 

 to account for the extraordinary fact : 



" SlR, Ninfield, Sussex, Feb. 14, 1836. 



"As you are now engaged in writing a history of British 

 Reptiles, I am induced to send you an account of a fact 

 that has lately come to my knowledge, thinking it may be 

 thought by you worth recording. 



"The fact I have to relate was witnessed in the month 

 of August 1814, and the scene of it was the Fairlight 

 Downs, near Hastings ; the exact spot being part of an 

 open and bald height facing the sea, and looking down upon 

 a glen covered with brambles, Sec. The hour was about 

 noon, and the sun was shining powerfully at the time. 



"A gentleman was taking a walk with two companions, 



