COMMON TOAD. 119 



when on arriving at the spot above described, they saw what 

 was to them a totally unprecedented sight. A Toad was 

 squatted on the ground, with its front elevated, holding 

 the head of a viper in its mouth. The viper writhed its 

 body occasionally, as if trying to escape, but its exertions 

 were to no purpose. After watching the two animals for a 

 short time, one of the party attempted to separate the vic- 

 tim from its enemy with a stick ; but failing in this, he 

 threw both together into the glen below. The counte- 

 nance of the toad evinced much ferocity, and its eyes 

 glared. The entire head of the viper was in the Toad's 

 mouth, which seemed completely filled in consequence, and 

 its jaws were perfectly closed ; and yet it did not appear 

 at all inconvenienced by the mouthful, respiring apparently 

 without effort. 



" The gentleman who, with his two companions, wit- 

 nessed this, and who has related it to me, is the Rev. John 

 Phillips, Vicar of Ninfield, near Battle, and I am his curate. 



" Should this relation be as curious as it appears to me, 

 it will doubtless be worth your notice ; but should it be 

 nothing unusual, I must beg you will pardon my thus 

 troubling you, and I may be permitted to remain, 



" Sir, 



" Your humble servant, 

 " And well-wisher in the cause of Natural History, 



(Signed) " EDWAED H. M. SLADEN." 



" Further to authenticate this account, I have requested 

 Mr. Phillips to add his signature. 



(Signed) " JOHN PHILLIPS." 



Like the other Amphibia, and the Eeptilia generally, 

 the Toad sheds its skin at certain intervals, the old cuticle 

 coming off, and leaving a new one which had been formed 

 underneath in its stead. There are some very remarkable 



