THE NATTER-JACK. 69 



The derivation of the word natter , from the German, appears to 

 be the same as adder, a corruption of the Saxon ntzdre, signifying 

 a crawling creature, with the gradual substitution of the / for the 

 d. The expression of face in the Natter-Jack is gentle, as in 

 Vulgaris ; the eyes have the same sort of reflective or contempla- 

 tive, as well as intelligent look. Those who without prejudice 

 care to study the physiognomy of these two toads cannot deny to 

 them this expression, seldom reproduced or done justice to in 

 illustrations. So meditative is the aspect of the common toad 

 when still, that I could never escape a feeling that an apology was 

 due when disturbing mine. And after such interruption, the 

 manner in which they both Vulgaris and Natter-Jack quietly 

 and unresentfully resume their meditations, commands the sort of 

 respect due to a philosophic character. More and more have 

 I wondered, since studying toadism, that the name is popularly 

 significant of meanness and generally contemptible qualities. Of 

 all the various " reptiles " which for many years have been my 

 pets and study, poor "Toadums " has, by reason of the popularly 

 despised " meekness " and gentleness, appealed most strongly to 

 tender compassion and consideration, except, alas ! when his 

 inexorable mistress, in the interests of " The Young Collector," 

 has ignored his struggles and his dolorous eyelids. My slighter 

 acquaintance with the Natter-Jack gives reason to accredit it with 

 similar family traits. 



