314 Rev. Dr. Buckland on the Vitality of 



Art. XLI. On the Vitality of Toads encluaed in IStone and 

 JVood. By the Rev. W. Buckland, F.R.S., F.L.S., 

 F.G.S, and Professor of Geology and Mineralogy in the 

 University of Oaford. 



In the month of November, 1825, 1 commenced the following experi- 

 ments with a view to explain the frequent discoveries of Toads enclosed 

 within blocks of stone and wood, in cavities that are said to have no 

 communication with the external air. . 



In one large block of coarse oolitic limestone, (the Oxford oolite from 

 the quarries of Heddington) twelve circular cells were prepared each 

 about one foot deep and five inches in diameter, and having a groove or 

 shoulder at its upper margin fitted to receive a circular plate of glass, and 

 a circular slate to protect the glass; the margin of this double cover was 

 closed round and rendered impenetrable to air and water by a luting of 

 soft clay. Twelve smaller cells, each six inches deep and five inches in 

 diameter, were made in another block of compact siliceous sandstone, 

 viz. the Pennant Grit of the Coal formation near Bristol; these cells also 

 were covered with similar plates of glass and slate cemented at the edge 

 by clay. The object of the glass covers was to allow the animals to be 

 inspected, without disturbing the clay so as to admit external air or insects 

 into the cell. The Limestone is so porous that it is easily permeable by 

 water, and probably also by air ; the sandstone is very compact. 



On the 26th of November, 1825, one live Toad was placed in each of 

 the above mentioned twenty-four cells, and the double cover of glass and 

 slate placed over each of them and cemented down by the luting of clay; 

 the weight of each Toad in grains was ascertained and noted by Dr. Daubeny 

 and Mr. Dillwyn at the time of their being placed in the cells; that of 

 the smallest was 115 grains, and of the largest 1185 grains. The large 

 and small animals were distributed in equal proportion between the lime- 

 stone and the sandstone cells. 



These blocks of stone were buried together in my garden beneath three 

 feet of earth, and remained unopened until the 10th of December, 1826, 

 on which day thev were examined. Every Toad in the smaller cells of 



