CHAPTER VII. 



FROGS AND TOADS. 



OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OP A TOAD. 



THE toad may be kept under observation in a glass 

 vessel, say under an in verted tumbler, or, better, a bell- jar. 

 It may be allowed to crawl some distance without any 

 likelihood of its escaping, and be again placed under the 

 bell- jar. It is much more manageable when subjected to 

 study than the frog. But the teacher should handle these 

 animals quietly and with confidence, when it will be 

 found that either frog or toad may be managed without 

 difficulty. 



"We begin by sketching the animal, drawing it natural 

 size and representing it in various attitudes. As we note 

 its form, we recall Milton's simile 



" Him there they found 

 Squat like a toad." 



And to emphasise the attitude, if a frog is available the 

 contrast in the resting position should be clearly noted. 

 Next we may liberate the toad for a little in order to see 

 its mode of locomotion. It may leap or it may crawl. We 

 find, in captivity at all events, that it prefers to crawl. A 

 sketch with the leg extended as in crawling should be 

 attempted (Fig. 13). 



Note next the colour. The skin is pigmented. The 

 colour may vary in different individuals, or in the same 



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