Frogs and Toads. 95 



that handling toads would give one warts, but 

 that is not true. 



" The frog's foot has four toes or fingers in 

 front, and five toes behind. The hind legs are 

 very long, and are used for leaping and swimming. 



" The hind toes are united by a web which 

 helps the frog in swimming. 



" The tongue of the frog or toad is very curious. 

 It is fastened at the front of the jaw. It is long, 

 and he can roll it out very quickly. You cannot 

 see him do it. The tongue is covered with a 

 sticky substance, which helps to hold the insects 

 that he catches. 



" Toads are useful in gardens, for they eat 

 many insects which would do great harm by 

 destroying the flowers and vegetables. 



" Gardeners feel very friendly toward the toad, 

 and are always glad to see him in their gardens. 

 Although toads eat so many insects, they can go 

 a long time without eating. Toads can easily be 

 tamed, and people often make pets of them. 



" The mother toads go to the ponds to lay 

 their eggs, and the toads' eggs are hatched in 

 the same way as the frogs' eggs. 



" During the winter, some frogs and toads bury 

 themselves in the mud in the bottom of ponds." 



