206 OBSERVATIONS ON REPTILES. 



ever, this was once accomplished, the booty was 

 swallowed instantly, excepting when above a certain 

 size ; in which case the natter-jack would occasionally 

 remain for ten minutes afterwards with one-half of 

 the insect in its throat, and the other hanging out of 

 its mouth. 



The food which these reptiles seemed to relish 

 most, consisted of the smaller species of diptera and 

 hymenoptera, though they would occasionally take 

 wood-lice and even centipedes. They also ate large 

 quantities of a small red maggot which often abounds 

 in decayed boleti, and any of the lesser coleoptera 

 which might happen to stray into their cage. One 

 of them, in a single instance, attacked an ant ; but 

 the morsel did not appear to be much relished, for it 

 was no sooner conveyed to its mouth, than rejected 

 again with great haste and trepidation, probably in 

 consequence of the strong acid secreted by these 

 insects. They did not, however, appear to suffer 

 from the stings of the smaller bees and ichneumons, 

 which were repeatedly swallowed with impunity. 



The natter-jack is a much more lively animal than 

 the common toad ; and when in search of food, or 

 following its prey, shews great alertness. When full 

 fed, or from other causes inactive, the above indivi- 

 duals would conceal themselves in a sod of turf, 

 which was always kept in their cage. They also 

 occasionally delighted much in a pan of water, in 

 which they would float motionless for half an hour 

 together, having all their legs stretched out, and no 

 part of their body except their head above the sur- 

 face. But the great distinguishing habit of this 



