COMMON TOAD. 109 



was to them a totally unprecedented sight. A Toad was 

 squatted on the ground, with its front elevated, holding 

 the head of a viper in its mouth. The viper writhed its 

 body occasionally, as if trying to escape, but its exertions 

 were to no purpose. After watching the two animals for a 

 short time, one of the party attempted to separate the victim 

 from its enemy with a stick ; but failing in this, he threw 

 both together into the glen below. The countenance of the 

 Toad evinced much ferocity, and its eyes glared. The en- 

 tire head of the viper was in the Toad's mouth, which seemed 

 completely filled in consequence, and its jaws were perfectly 

 closed ; and yet it did not appear at all inconvenienced by 

 the mouthful, respiring apparently without effort. 



" The gentleman who, with his two companions, witnessed 

 this, and who has related it to me, is the Rev. John Phillips, 

 Vicar of Ninfield, near Battle, and I am his curate. 



" Should this relation be as curious as it appears to me, 

 it will doubtless be worth your notice ; but should it be no- 

 thing unusual, I must beg you will pardon my thus troubling 

 you, and I may be permitted to remain, 



" Sir, 



" Your humble servant, 

 " And well-wisher in the cause of Natural History, 



(Signed) " EDWARD H. M. SLADEN." 



u Further to authenticate this account, I have requested 

 Mr. Phillips to add his signature. 



(Signed) " JOHN PHILLIPS." 



Like the other Amphibia, and the Reptilia generally, the 

 Toad sheds its skin at certain intervals, the old cuticle 

 coming off, and leaving a new one which had been formed 

 underneath in its stead. There are some very remarkable 

 circumstances connected with this process, which I detailed 

 many years ago to the Zoological Club of the Linnean So- 

 ciety, and of which the following is the substance. Having 



