FROGS AND TOADS, 319 



deformity is often aggravated by a phenomenon unexampled in 

 the rest of the animal world, namely, the young in various 

 stages of exclusion, proceeding from cells dispersed over the 

 back of the parent. It was for a long time supposed that the 

 ova of this extraordinary reptile were produced in the dorsal 

 cells without having been first excluded in the form of spawn ; 

 but it is now thoroughly ascert>ained that the female Pipa 

 deposits her eggs or spawn at the brink of some stagnant water, 

 and that the male collects or amasses the heap of ova, and 

 deposits them with great care on the back of the female, where, 

 after impregnation, they are pressed into the cellules, which 

 are at that period open for their reception, and afterwards close 

 over them ; thus retaining them till the period of their second 

 birth, which happens in somewhat less than three months, 

 when they emerge from the back of the parent in their com- 

 plete state. The Pipa is fond of dark nooks and corners, and 

 avoids the light of day as if conscious of its unrivalled 

 hideousness. 



Mr. Darwin thus describes a remarkable species of toad he 

 noticed a.t Bahia. * Amongst the Batrachian 

 reptiles, I found only one little toad, which was 

 most singular from its colour. 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 ver- 

 milion, so as to colour the sides of its feet and 

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

 If it is an unnamed species, surely it ought to be called dia- 

 holicus, for it is a fit toad to preach in the ear of Eve. In- 

 stead of being nocturnal in its habits as other toads are, and 

 living in damp and obscure 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 de- 

 pend on the dew for its moisture, and this probably is absorbed 

 by the skin, for it is known that these reptiles possess great 

 powers of cutaneous absorption. At Maldonado I found one in 

 a situation nearly as dry as at Bahia Blanca, and, thinking to 

 give it a great treat, carried it to a pool of water ; not only was 

 the little animal unable to swim, but I think without help 

 would soon have been drowned.' 



BAHIA TOAD. 



