29 



been reported to ine as destroying toads, but unfortunately none 

 were submitted for identification. In Germany, a dipterous parasite, 

 Lucilla sylvarum Meig., has been reared from the European toad and 

 larvae, apparently those of Liicilia, were found by Meinert in the eye 

 of a toad. 



As a common enemy of the toad the ubiquitous small boy 

 plays a prominent part. At Maiden, Massachusetts, the writer once 

 found seventeen toads dead and more or less mutilated, lying on the 

 shores of a small pool. This was the result of a couple of hours' amnse- 

 vienl on the part of two juveniles. This is not an extreme case.* 

 Such cruel and senseless persecution is only of too common occur- 

 rence. The loud cry of the toad at spawning time readily betrays 

 its presence, and small boys, and sometimes those of a larger growth 

 gravitate toward the pools as naturally as do the toads themselves. 

 There have been excellent laws enacted to protect our insectivorous 

 birds. Why should there not be as stringent legislation against the 

 destruction of toads ? If merit of service rendered . to man be the 

 standard by which legislation is determined, the toad presents a record 

 which will compare favorably with that of any insectivorous bird. 

 Public sentiment in a matter like this, however, exerts a stronger 

 influence than legislation, and when the services of this animal are 

 appreciated and the toad receives in our public schools recognition 

 similar to that given to the birds, then we may expect to see a lessen- 

 ing of the wanton destruction of this humble servant of man. 



*Since the above was -written, Dr. C. F. Hodge lias published iiitlie Worcester 

 Eveniiior Gazette, Mar. 31, 1897, an account of finding in a single day 200 dead and 

 wounded toads on the shores of a small pond on the grounds of Clark University. 



