CHAPTER IX. 



THE COMMON TOAD. 



Order, Ecaudata. Family, Bufonidce. Genus, Bufo. Species, 



vulgaris. 



The chief generic and specific characteristics of Bufo vulgaris are, 

 according to Boulenger, toes at least half webbed ; no tarsal 

 fold ; sub-articular tubercles of toes double ; fingers free, the first 

 scarcely extending beyond the second ; sternum either cartila- 

 ginous or with a semi-ossified style ; no maxillary teeth ; tympanum 

 smaller than the eye, and not very distinct ; the male without a 

 vocal sac; upper parts warty. 



In form and appearance the toad is not unlike the frog ; but 

 those who have once compared the two will easily recognise 

 individual peculiarities. The toad is of a stouter- build, with 

 shorter legs, and is less active in its movements. Indeed, the 

 mode of progression in each at once distinguishes them. We 

 rarely see a frog move otherwise than by a leap, excepting in 

 climbing, as backing itself into a corner, or working itself into 

 the ground, can hardly be called progression; whereas a toad 

 " crawls," creeps, or steps, one foot at a J:ime, and takes a long 

 while to consider which foot to move next, and where. " Sluggish " 

 is the term applied to it ; yet its actions give an idea of delibera- 

 tion, rather. Under very great stimulus it ventures on a " hop," 

 but scarcely to clear the ground, while four inches is the extent 

 of its leap, accomplished with a jaunty semblance of activity 

 that is simply ludicrous. Its skin is warty, and, as a rule, dry ; of 

 a light brown or ashy colour, the warts or spots much darker. It 

 also has a faint shaded stripe down its back, but, like the frog, 

 changes its colour, and that readily. Its form is not elegant, truly, 

 especially when it puffs itself out, as it does when alarmed or 

 disturbed, and that to a great extent. At such times it crouches 

 close to the ground, and remains motionless. Under any very 

 sudden annoyance it stands up erect from the ground on its four 

 legs, as high as their length permits. My toad thus exhibited 



