Marsh. 223 



animals can do without food for a long time. Water is a 

 greater necessity ; still, many animals can do without drink 

 for hours, and in special cases for days. But air is a 

 matter of seconds. Such a vital process as the oxidation of 

 the tissues brooks no delay. Oxygen the tissues must have, 

 or death will very speedily ensue. 



This wide and general consideration of breathing has 

 carried us far away from our friend Bufo here. Have you 

 ever thought of the ways in which toads differ from frogs ? 

 Toads have no teeth ; frogs possess them. The tongue, too, 

 is rather diiferent in the two creatures ; in both, the root is 

 in front, and the tip is pointed down the throat, being 

 thrown over and protruded with great rapidity, however, 

 when necessary ; but the tongue of the toad is rounded at 

 the tip, whilst that of the frog is provided with two small 

 fleshy protuberances. Both animals, however, secrete a 

 viscid fluid, with which the tip of the tongue is coated, and 

 to which its prey, in the shape of beetles and other insects, 

 adheres, when the tongue is rapidly darted against it. 



Like its near relations, the toad frequently changes its 

 skin, and usually swallows the old one. This goes on during 

 the summer months ; but when 



" The leaves are falling fast, 

 And gladsome summer's days are past " 



the toad crawls into a sheltered cranny, a hole at the root of 

 a tree, or under a log, and there sleeps away the winter in 

 a torpid state. But when 



" Spring is coming ! The lengthening days, the cheerful light, 

 Proclaim its advent near. And the frosts are keen, 

 The winds do fiercely blow, and rains abundant fall " 



and, when 



