42 Vitality of Toads, ^c. 



Upon a review of these facts, it does not appear surprising, that 

 these reptiles should, all or most of them, be found dead at the expi- 

 ration of one or two years, and I doubt whether these experiments 

 will be regarded as satisfactory. The very circumstances of these 

 trials appear to admit the persistent vitality of these animals ; for if 

 there was any doubt as to the great length of time, that the princi- 

 ple of hfe remains unextinguished in these reptiles. Dr. Buckland 

 would not have made the experiments. 



In this country, toads and frogs haVe been found in three different 

 situations. 



1. Toads have been frequently found in sandstone of the second- 

 ary formation, and in secondary limestone. 



2. In digging wells, where the workmen have come to beds of 

 clay twelve or fifteen feet below the surface of the ground. 



3. In the trunks of trees, which were apparently closed so as to 

 be impervious to the air. 



In the first place, the toads that have been found in the sandstone 

 and limestone, were enclosed in cells just large enough to. contain 

 their bodies ; and from every appearance, must have remained in 

 that situation ever since the formation of the surrounding sandstone 

 or limestone, in the water under which they appear to have been 

 deposited. 



The cells that enclose these reptiles were evidently accommo- 

 dated to their shape and size, and of course, the materials of which 

 they are composed were then in a plastic or yielding condition, so as 

 to suit the form of any body that might become enclosed in them. 

 Now it is obvious, that if a living healthy toad or other reptile were 

 enclosed in a cell of the size in which they are usually found, it 

 would not live one half of the time that those did which were im- 

 mured by Prof. Buckland ; for food and air are absolutely necessa- 

 ry to every animal that has the use of its natural organs. 



But it is a well known fact, that toads, frogs, and other reptiles, 

 have remained in a torpid state for many years, without any signs of 

 life, and have revived, on being exposed to a higher temperature, 

 with access of air. It is thus proved that respiration and the circu- 

 lation of the blood are not necessary to the vitality of the cold blood- 

 ed animals, during their hybernation ; it appears, also, that the food 

 taken into the stomach remains, unaltered and undigested, even at 

 the end of three or four years, the same as if it had not been in the 

 stomach more than a minute, provided, however, that the torpidity 



