156 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



PMOTOOHAPH. ELWIN R. SANBORN. 



HORNED "TOAD." 

 Several species which inhabit our Western deserts. 



open-mouthed, awaiting an opportunity to close with bull-dog 

 tenacity upon an offending object. On several occasions when 

 endeavoring to extract poison from these lizards, the writer has 

 been unable to provoke them to bite, but after giving them a 

 sun-bath for a few moments had considerable difficulty in disen- 

 gaging their jaws from the glass vessel in which the fluid was 

 collected, although the temperature of the outside air and sun- 

 light which had aroused such hostility differed but slightly from 

 the warm air of their indoor cages. 



While discussing the effects of captivity upon the Lacertilians, 

 the writer is prompted to explain the results of his experiments 

 with Horned "Toads" (Phrynosotna), which although possibly 

 not strictly germane to the subject is nevertheless of interest. 

 These investigations were made to discover if possible the extent 

 to which the various species of Horned "Toads" evince the al- 

 leged remarkable habit of ejecting jets of blood from the corners 

 of the eyes, when annoyed. Various disputes have arisen over 

 the possibility of this occurrence. Over two hundred specimens, 

 representing different species, were examined. These were teased 

 and provoked most persistently by the writer and the keepers, but 

 without result. Their general attitude at such times was to feign 

 death, with closed eyes. They seldom attempted to bite, but 

 when placed on the ground would make off with a great show of 

 speed. 



