4 



entomologists, a good collector of beetles. This appears to represent 

 the sum of the knowledge of the feediig habits of the toad. From 

 the general distribution of this animal, its common occurrence near 

 the abodes of man and its known insectivorous habits, it seemed that 

 an investigation of its feeding habits and food could not be other- 

 wise than interesting and profitable. Owing to the pressure of 

 other duties the writer has been unable to devote to this work the 

 amount of time the subject deserves and no claim is made for com- 

 pleteness of results. It is hoped, however, that they may suffice to 

 call attention to the habits and value of the animal to wiiich they 

 pertain and thus possibly induce others to prosecute farther an 

 investigation of this most interesting subject. At this point, the 

 writer would acknowledge his indebtedness to Prof. C. H. Fernald 

 and President H. H. Goodell for assistance in bibliographical 

 research, and to the former for many valuable criticisms and sug- 

 gestions. Acknowledgements should also be made to Dr. Leouhard 

 Stejneger, Dr. C. Hart Merriam and Prof. F. E. L. Beal for valuable 

 information. 



ANCIENT IDEAS CONCERNING THE TOAD. 



That the early students of natural history were in a measure cog- 

 nizant of the habits of the toad, there is ample evidence in the older 

 writings upon animals, but most unfortunately from a scientific 

 standpoint, the ancient savants who did so much to establish the 

 study of nature, too frequently confounded current superstition with 

 actual fact, and hence we find the early literature upon this interest- 

 ing batrachian teeming with vague and ludicrous fancies as to its 

 venomous qualities, its medicinal virtues or, most commonly, the 

 hidden toad-stone of priceless value. In this connection it may not 

 be amiss to briefly cite some of these ancient fanciful ideas, for, 

 although they pertain in general to the European species which are 

 distinct from the American, it is quite evident that when our worthy 

 ancestors explored the fauna of our " otern and rock bound coast " 

 they had but little difficulty in adapting the whole host of venerable 

 old world traditions to the new world toads, and thus implanted here 

 superstitions, which, strange as it may seem, still have their devout 

 adherents. 



In glancing through the older literature on the toad, we find that 

 the three different groups of fancies indicated above are generally 

 contemporaneous and strangely interwoven. The baleful venom. 



