1 88 Handbook of N ature-Study 



them? How does the tadpole breathe? Can you see the little hole on 

 the left side, through which the water used for breathing passes? 



5. How does the tail look and how is it used? How long is it in 

 proportion to the body? Describe the act of swimming. 



6. Which pair of legs appears first ? How do they look? When they 

 get a little larger are they used as a help in swimming ? Describe the hind 

 legs and feet. 



7. How long after the hind legs appear before the front legs or arms 

 appear ? What happens to the breathing-pore when the left arm is pushed 

 through ? 



8. After both pairs of legs are developed what happens to the tail? 

 W^hat becomes of it ? 



9. When the tadpole is very young can you see its eyes? How do 

 they look as it grows older? Do they ever bulge out like toads' eyes? 



10. As the tadpole gains its legs and loses its tail how does it change 

 in its actions? How does it swim now? Does it come oftener to the 

 surface ? Why ? 



11. Describe the difference between the front and the hind legs and 

 the front and the hind feet on the fully grown tadpole. If the tail or 

 a leg is bitten off by some other creature will it grow again? 



LESSON XLV 

 The Toad 



Leading thought — The toad is colored so that it resembles the soil and 

 thus escapes the observation of its enemies. It lives in damp places and 

 eats insects, usually hunting them at night. It has powerful hind legs 

 and is a vigorous jumper. 



Method — Make a moss garden in a glass aquarium jar thus: Place 

 some stones or gravel in the bottom of the jar and cover with moss. 

 Cover the jar with a wire screen. The moss should be deluged with 

 water at least once a day and the jar should be placed where the direct 

 sunlight will not reach it. In this jar, place the toad for study. 



Observations — i. Describe the general color of the toad above and 

 below. How does the toad's back look? Of what use are the warts on 

 its back? 



2. Where is the toad usually found? Does it feel warm or cold to the 

 hand? Is it slimy or dry? The toad is a cold-blooded animal, what does 

 this mean? 



3. Describe the eyes and explain how their situation is of special 

 advantage to the toad. Do you think it can see in front and behind and 

 above all at the same time. Does the bulge of the eyes help in this? 

 Note the shape and color of the pupil and iris. How does the toad wink? 



4. Find and describe the nostrils. Find and describe the ear. 

 Note the swelling above and just back of the ear. Do you know the use 

 of this? 



5. What is the shape of the toad's mouth? Has it any teeth? Is 

 the toad's tongue attached to the front or the back part of the mouth? 

 How is it used to catch insects? 



6. Describe the "arms and hands." How many "fingers" on the 

 "hand ?" Which way do the fingers point when the toad is sitting down ? 



