18 



Fl<;. 5. A 'Cut Woiiii Kilk'i- 

 osonui culkhnii. 



ported by piles more oi' less decayed, this species is a common and 

 very annoying honsehold pest. I have discussed the economic value 

 of these ants with Professor Fernald and he agrees with me in the 

 conclusion that so far as the toad destroys these insects it should be 

 considered a ])enef1cial animal. 



Coleoptera form twenty-seven per 

 cent of the total food and are chiefly 

 represented by Carabids, Scarabaeids, 

 P^lateridsand weevils. Carabidae were 

 found to be a constant article of food 

 tln'oughout the season and form eight 

 per cent of the total food. Calosoma 

 calidum Fab. was found in six stom- 

 achs and in one case a specimen of 

 <"'"'- this insect was taken alive from the 

 stomach of a toad captured late at 

 night. Tlie insect lived for about twelve hours \ 

 afterwaid. The [)er cent of Carabidae con- 

 sumed is neai-ly constant throughout the sea- 

 son, the maxinuim being nine per cent for the 

 month of June. The destruction of insects of 

 such well known predaceous habits counts strong- 

 ly against the toad. The larger Caral)idae are 

 especial enemies of terrestrial lei)idopterous lar- 

 vae and rendei' nuich vahuible service by destroy- 

 ing cutworms. 



Against the killing of these beneficial insects may be 

 reckoned the consumption of a large number of Scara- 

 baeids, P^laterids and weevils. The Scarabaeidae, of 

 \ which family the INIay-beetle and Rose-chafer are typical 

 Fig. 7. The representatives, form six per cent of the whole food. 

 ^(l^rodactj/fus These insects in their larval stage feed largely upon the 



»nh.ymwsu.',. ^.QQ^g yf gj.j^gg .^,^^1^ .^g j„ tijg pj^gg Qf ^j^g ^f.,,^. beetle, 



frequently cause great damage to grass lands and pastures. In the 

 mature form some of them, like the Rose chafer, devour the lilos- 

 Koms and lemes of ornamental plants and cultivated ci'ojjs. 



Fig. G. Harpaliiii 

 califfinosus. 



1 



