596 ON THE BREEDING OF THE SURINAM WATER-TOAD. [May 5, 
having them arranged on her back by the male was at once dis- 
missed as a fable, as we now know that these animals do not 
voluntarily leave the water. Along with Mr. A. Thomson, the 
head keeper, and the two keepers at the Reptile-house (Tyrrell 
and Tennant), I therefore determined, should the opportunity 
Fig. 2. 
Surinam Water-Toad (Q) after deposition of eggs. 
again occur, to watch constantly with the hope of being able to 
solve this unknown problem. About the 28th of April of the 
present year the males of this species become very lively, and were 
constantly heard uttering their most remarkable metallic, ticking 
.call-notes. On examination, we then observed two of the males 
clasping tightly round the lower part of the bodies of the females 
