SHORT STUDIES OF BATRACHIANS. 337 



weighed forty-four grains, and seventy-five days later had 

 lost but one grain. 



In the spring it is very different ; then they are vora- 

 cious feeders, and capture millions of insects. At this 

 time their stomachs are always full, and, while the size of 

 the animal is not noticeably larger than it was in autumn, 

 yet the weight is nearly twice as great. Their physiologi- 

 cal activity apparently culminates with the maturing of 

 the ova and the labor of depositing and fertilizing it, as 

 I have already suggested. This effected, these little 

 " peepers " are worn out, and, as I am forced to believe, 

 the greater number, at least, soon die. 



Going back to the high and dry land, there may be 

 found a common batrachian the familiar hop-toad 

 about which many errors are rife, and which is therefore 

 entitled to an extended notice. 



It is probable that the absence of all attractiveness 

 has had much to do with the indifference with which 

 toads are regarded, and, in justice, it must be admitted 

 that the toad is superlatively ugly. This, however, should 

 interest rather than repel the student, since this black and 

 brown ugliness is an excellent instance of protective col- 

 oration. So inconspicuous is this toad, when in its ordi- 

 nary haunts, that it has but to sit still and let its food 

 come unsuspectingly within reach. Then it is seized, but 

 so quickly that it takes a sharp eye to follow the move- 

 ment. Whoever hates flies should love the toad. It 

 would be hard to determine just how many it will devour 

 in the course of twenty-four hours, but a fair estimate can 

 be made. For instance, two summers ago, a lazy, aged 

 toad took up its quarters by the kitchen-door. A conve- 

 nient cranny in the brick pavement was its home ; but it 

 sallied out often, even in broad daylight, to feast upon the 



