ORDER BATRACHIA. 4,59 



abandoned in the water. They form two chaplets, which 

 being joined together, would sometimes exceed forty feet in 

 length. In ten or twelve days after being laid, they acquire 

 a double volume. The small tadpoles issue from them to- 

 wards the twentieth day, and they acquire their gills in two 

 or three after. 



It is commonly believed that the tadpoles of the toad, live 

 on the detritus of vegetables in the water. But M. Bosc, 

 from a series of observations, rather believes that they feed 

 on infusory animalculse, and the larvas of insects, &c. 



The toads continue to reproduce only until the fourth 

 year. They probably live a long time, but nothing positive 

 is known on this subject. Some are observed to acquire 

 enormous dimensions. 



They are capable of being tamed. Pennant relates that 

 at the residence of M. d'Arscolt, there was a toad, which had 

 established its domicile under a stair-case, and which had 

 grown so familiar, that every evening as soon as it perceived 

 light in the house, it raised its head, and seemed to ask to be 

 placed on a table, where it found its supper prepared, and 

 consisting of worms, flies, beetles, and other insects. It lived 

 in this manner six and thirty years, and finally died only in 

 consequence of an accident. It was of an enormous size. 



The toads have been the subject of a great number of 

 fables, both ancient and modern. To their glance has been 

 attributed the power of charming both men and animals. 

 Toads have formed an ingredient in many magical composi- 

 tions, employed by persons in the country, who combine in 

 themselves the most happy union of ignorance, wickedness, 

 and superstition. These reptiles, however, are so far from 

 being hurtful and offensive, that they are incapable of self- 

 defence, and constantly become the prey of serpents, of pikes, 

 of storks, vultures, and a number of other animals. 



