140 FROGS AND TOADS 



THE BURROWING TOADS 



Pelobatidae 



THE SPADE-FOOT ToAD 1 of the eastern and southern United 

 States represents this large Family, of which two species 

 only are found in the United States, and eighteen elsewhere. 

 In the North, it is rarely seen and little known. Personally 

 I know nothing of it in life. Holbrook states that it is the 

 commonest toad in the South; that it digs for its burrow a 

 small hole about six inches deep, in which it lies in wait for 

 every insect that may be tempted to enter. It seldom leaves 

 its hole except in the evening, or after long-continued rains. 

 This animal is 2 inches long, and its color is brown above, 

 with dark patches. 



THE TONGUELESS FROGS 



Excepting the members of two small Families, all frogs 

 and toads have tongues. Of the Tongueless Frogs, one 

 species which is universally called a "Toad" is of special 

 interest in illustrating a very curious feature of frog life. 



THE SURINAM ToAD, 2 of Dutch Guiana, is celebrated 

 among naturalists all over the world because of the remark- 

 able manner in which its eggs are cared for and hatched. 

 Just previous to the egg-laying period, the skin of the back 

 of the female is specially prepared by Nature for a remark- 

 able proceeding. It becomes very thick, spongy and soft. 

 The eggs are taken by the male Toad, and one by one are 

 embedded in the skin on the back of the female, so effectually 



1 Sca-phi-o'pus hol'brook-i. 2 Pi'pa americana. 



