THE TOAD. 63 



LA PLATA. 



behind them. I was always amused, when overtaking one 

 of these great monsters, as it was quietly pacing along, to 

 see how suddenly, the instant I passed, it would draw in its 

 head and legs, and, uttering a deep hiss, fall to the ground 

 with a heavy sound, as if struck dead. I frequently got on 

 their backs, and then giving a few raps on the hinder part 

 of their shells, they would rise up and walk away; but "I 

 found it very difficult to keep my balance. In order to se- 

 cure the tortoises, it is not enough to turn them over like 

 turtle, for they are often able to get on their legs again. 



THE TOAD. 



NEAR Bahia Blanca I found but one little toad, which 

 was most singular from its color. If we imagine, first, that 

 it had been steeped in the blackest ink, and then, when 

 dry, allowed to crawl over a board freshly painted with the 

 brightest vermilion, so as to color the soles of its feet and 

 parts of its stomach, a good idea of its appearance will be 

 gained. Instead of going about by night, as other toads do, 

 and living in damp and dark recesses, it crawls during the 

 heat of the day about the dry sand-hillocks and arid plains, 

 where not a single drop of water can be found. It must 

 necessarily depend on the dew for its moisture ; and this, 

 probably, is absorbed by the skin. At Maldonaclo I found 

 one in a situation nearly as dry as at Bahia Blanca, arid, 

 thinking to give it a great treat, carried it to a pool of wa- 

 ter ; not only was the little animal unable to swim, but, I 

 think, without help it would soon have been drowned. 



