Frogs and Toads 



hiding during the day ; by night he sallies forth with a dual 

 object, to seek food for himself and to moisten the eggs, 

 either in the dew or in a nearby pond. For three weeks 

 he is sorely hampered by his burden, a fact which does 

 not prevent him from taking upon himself a second batch 

 of eggs should occasion arise. At the end of the third 

 week he betakes himself to water, that the young tadpoles, 

 as they hatch, may find themselves in their natural 

 element. 



Before considering the architectural capabilities of the 

 amphibia, let us give a moment to the peculiar antics of 

 the fire-bellied toad. As is well known, very many, the 

 majority in fact, of brightly coloured animals are distaste- 

 ful to eat. Dozens of examples may easily be called to 

 mind : robins and blister-beetles are two of the number, 

 and the fire-bellied toad is another. No animal will ever 

 touch the little creature if it knows what it is about ; but 

 there comes the rub, for the vivid colours of this frog, in the 

 shape of a scarlet waistcoat, are hidden from view when 

 the frog is in its normal position. Its back is very similar 

 in colour to that of any other toad. Well, when this 

 little toad is in danger, what does he do? Roll on his 

 back and show his red waistcoat ? Nothing so crude. He 

 bends his head and the hinder part of his body backwards 

 so as to show as much as possible of his under side ; further- 

 more, like the true contortionist he is, he so twists hte 

 arms and legs that their palms and soles, which are also 

 red, are facing upwards. In this strained and ludicrous 

 position he remains absolutely motionless till the danger 

 be past. 



Of the burrowing amphibia the Central European spade- 

 foot toad is the best known. His front feet are so 

 modified and armed with a hard, horny sheath that they 

 form excellent spades. Although quite common, it is 

 rarely seen, owing to the fact that it only comes from its 

 burrow by night and is completely hidden by day. 

 Frequenting sandy places, it digs deep burrows, which, 



244 



