338 LIZARDS, FROGS AND TOADS 



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 beinor 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 gTeat 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." 



The giant-toad {Bufo gigas, agua), frequents the Brazilian 

 campos in such numbers that in the evening or after a shower 

 of rain, when they come forth from their hiding-places to regale 

 on the damp and murky atmosphere, the earth seems literally 

 to swarm with them. They are double the size of our common 

 toad, and are even said to attain, with their outstretched hind 

 legs, a foot's length, with a proportionate girth. Covered with 

 unsightly warts, and of a dull grey colour, their aspect is re- 

 pulsive, and when excited, they eject a liquid which is very 

 much feared by the natives. Their voice is loud and disagree- 

 able, while Gruinea possesses, in the Breviceps gibhosus, a small 

 toad which is said to sing delightfully, " charming the swamps 

 with its melodious note." 



A Brazilian tree-frog, (^Hyla crepitans) which adheres to the 

 large leaves, not merely with its widened toes, but with its 

 constantly viscid body, has a voice which sounds like the cracking 

 of a large piece of wood, and generally proceeds from many 

 throats at a time. On wandering through the forests of Brazil. 

 Prince Maximilian of Neu Wied was often surprised by this 

 singular concert issuing from the dark shades of the forest. 



A Surinam tree-frog (IT^/Zamica^is) has the singiilar property 

 of secreting a luminous slime, so as to look in the dark like a 

 yellowish will-o'-the-wisp. Its voice is most disagreeable, ami 

 is said at times completely to overpower the orchestra of the 

 theatre in Paramaribo, thus emulating the stentorian achieve- 

 ments of the Virginian bull-frog. 



