REPTILES IN THE TARN AND THE GREEN LANES. 85 



this was only another proof of the venomous charac- 

 ter of the reptile, and an additional reason why it 

 should be destroyed! This "toad's envenom'd 

 juice " is simply a skin secretion for protective 

 purposes. 



And yet, this common object is far more intelligent 

 than many of its congeners. It is easily tamed and 

 domesticated, as is also the Natterjack (Bufo 

 calamita). We kept a pair of the latter a long time, 

 and they seemed quite to know their keeper and 

 their home. By means of its long folded tongue 

 the toad is very quick at catching insects, and so far 

 is a most useful aid to a careful gardener. We are 

 very glad to notice that the custom of keeping tame 

 toads in gardens and hot houses is increasing, and 

 we have never inquired as to the result without 

 finding the gardeners full of praise of the working 

 qualities of their reptilian assistants, and possessed 

 of a fund of anecdotal information respecting their 

 habits. You may always know, when the seem- 

 ingly impassive toad is on the alert. The sure 

 sign is a curious twitching movement of the hind 

 toes. As is well known, toads are in the habit of 

 moulting their skins, but it may not be so generally 

 imagined that this cast off coat is turned to practical 

 use by the toad eating it ! Just before moulting, 

 the toad may be seen rubbing and pressing against 

 its sides with its feet. The skin then begins to 

 burst open along the back, the toad meantime 

 rubbing away until the loose skin is gathered into 



