202 



BACKBONED ANIMALS. 



where the eggs are hatched in about six days, the young 

 leaving the water in three weeks. The toads hibernate 

 during the winter in burrows, and often have special nests 

 for retreat during the day. 



NOTE. The tales concerning their poisonous properties, and power 

 of living in solid rock, are fabulous. A South American species mews 

 like a cat, while the European fire-bellied toad utters an extraordinary 

 ..noan. Toads are extremely valuable as destroyers of noxious insects, 

 and are in turn preyed upon by snakes. 



FlG. 244. Flying tree-toad of Borneo (Rkacophorus). 



Tree-Toads (HyMcd). The tree-toads are the most 

 interesting of the order. They are all of small size, and 

 have the tips of the fingers and toes provided with a disk 



