FROGS AND TOADS 



83 



Before leaving the subject of the skin of the toad, we 



summarise its numerous properties : 



(1) Cold. 



(2) Moist or clammy. 



(3) Naked. 



(4) Warty. 



(5) Grlaiidular. 



(6) Nauseous. 



(7) Pigmeiited. 



(8) Loose. 



(9) Respiratory. 



We now examine the body in some detail. Commencing 

 at the head, we may describe it as in outline almost an 

 equilateral triangle, with the triangle rounded in front. 

 For such a large head, the vertical 

 depth is small. What are the out- 

 standing features ? 



First, of course, the large mouth. 

 It stretches almost from ear to ear ; 

 its large size is probably originally an 

 adaptation to the habit of taking insects 

 on the wing, although toads take a good 

 deal of " creeping" food. The tongue 

 is fixed in front, but has probably not 

 the same free movement of eversion 

 that the frog's tongue has (Fig. 14). 

 Toads feed largely on creeping insects, 

 wood lice, slugs, worms, etc. They 

 have no teeth. 



Note next the respiratory move- 

 ments, the opening and closing of the 

 nostrils, the falling and rising of the floor of the mouth, 

 the pulsation of the sides of the body. These movements 

 occur in an orderly series. Endeavour to follow it. Note 

 that the mouth is kept quite close in breathing. 



Two things are worth noting in the eye. There is the 

 delicate transparent membrane which frbm time to time 

 sweeps across it from below. The ordinary eyelids are 

 mere ridges, this is the true functioning eyelid. Then we 

 note the golden red iris with the dark pupil. We recall, 

 of course, Shakespeare's reference to the toad, "which . . . 

 wears yet a precious jewel in his head." 



Fig. 14. View of roof 

 of Frog's head, Avith 

 tongue protruded. 



