398 CLASS REPTILIA. 



The Toads, Bufo. Laur., 



Have a corpulent body, covered with warts or pa- 

 pillge, a thick pad behind the ears, from which is 

 expressed a milky and foetid humour. No teeth ; 

 the hinder feet but little elongated. They leap 

 badly and remain in general remote from the water. 

 They are animals of a hideous disgusting form, 

 which have been erroneously considered venomous 

 from their saliva, their bite, their urine, and even 

 the humour which they transpire. 



The Common Toad, Rana Bufo, L. Roes. 

 Ran. XX., 



Reddish or brown gi'ay ; sometimes rather olive or 

 blackish, the back covered with many rounded 

 tubercles as large as lentiles. The belly furnished 

 with tubercles smaller and more rounded. The 

 hind feet are semi-palmate. It remains in obscure 

 and sheltered places, and passes the winter in holes 

 which it excavates. Coupling takes place in the 

 water, in March and April ; when it occurs on land, 

 the female trails herself to the water, carrying the 

 male along with her. She produces small and innu- 



Daud. IV. H. Sqidrelln, id. V. ; H. Trivittata, ^c Spix, IX.: H. Abbrc- 

 viata, id. IX. v. 4. 



The Rainette Blue of New Holland, Hyla Cyanea, Daud. should have, 

 according to White, p. 248, but four hinder toes, and M. Fitzinger, who 

 appears to have seen it, has, in consequence, made of it his genus Cala- 

 MiTA. We have got one, and from the same country, altogether similar, 

 but which certainly has five toe?. 



