1834 The Zoologist— Septembek, 1869. 



interesting accounts of loads, with one of which I shall conclude ray 

 history of the species. It is from the pen of Mr. Holland : — 



" My toads, two in number, had lived for a year or two in a hot- 

 house which was devoted to the growth of pineapples. They were, 

 I think, first purposely placed there by the gardener, who found them 

 very useful in destroying insects. I used very frequently to visit the 

 place and amuse myself with feeding the toads with worms, and with 

 watching their habits. The heat of the place, which was considerable, 

 did not seem to inconvenience them in the least, for they were remark- 

 ably active, and of a large size; but at the same time they seemed 

 greatly to enjoy the artificial showers when the plants were syringed, 

 and would come out from their hiding places to be rained upon. 

 They usually remained amongst the pineapple plants, which grew on 

 a bed raised some four feet from the ground where they sat under the 

 long leaves ; but when the place was watered they would not un- 

 frequently jump down and lie upon the cool wet tiles of the floor, 

 spreading themselves out as flat as possible : how they climbed up to 

 the pine-bed again 1 cannot say, for 1 never saw them do it. They 

 evinced very little shyness, taking worms readily when offered to them. 

 When feeding, their actions were very curious : upon placing a worm 

 about three inches from a toad, it would instantly fix its attention 

 upon it : then its whole appearance was changed ; instead of the dull, 

 lethargic-looking animal that the toad generally appears, it was all 

 vivacity ; the body was instantly thrown somewhat back, and the head 

 bent a little downwards, its bright eye riveted upon its prey ; and 

 though the toad was perfectly still as long as the worm remained 

 motionless or nearly so, jet its attitude and its eager gaze were full of 

 life and animation. Directly the worm made any active movement 

 the toad would dart forward, open its mouth from ear to ear, and 

 seize it, generally about the middle. A curious scene now took place ; 

 mouth and feet went to work in good earnest, the worm was gulped 

 down by a series of spasmodic jerks, trying to make its escape every 

 time the mouth was opened, the toad tlirusling it back all the time, 

 and forcing it down its throat by the aid of its fore feet. Altogether 

 it was rather a disgusting sight, and gave one the idea that the toad 

 is an uncommonly greedy animal. Having got the worm down was 

 by no means a reason that it would stay there, for I have sometimes 

 seen a worm rather larger than usual make its way up again ; how- 

 ever, the feet would immediately go to work a second lime, and the 

 toad would at length remain the undisputed possessor of its own 



