THE TOADS 



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are, however, not in build, but in the way in which they use their 

 limbs, and in variations in their coats or skins. Toads usually 

 have rough and " warty " skins, and they never hop like frogs but 

 crawl about in a more or less laboured fashion. Their hind-limbs 

 are much shorter than are those of the frogs. 



The eggs of the toad are laid later in the spring than those 

 of the frog, and the little tadpoles, when they hatch out, are smaller 

 and darker in colour. 



All through the summer these tadpoles grow, but very slowly; 

 for, when their tails disappear and they become perfect toads, they 



Toad 



are only about as big as blue-bottle flies. About the end of August 

 these tiny toads are sometimes very plentiful in damp situations, and 

 one sees them scrambling about in all directions. But so many of 

 them are captured and devoured by their foes that it is said that 

 only about one in a thousand lives to grow up. 



If you examine a toad carefully, you will see that just behind 

 nis head are two large glands. If these are pressed, a thick oily 

 liquid oozes out This liquid is strongly acrid, and will make a 

 delicate skin smart if it falls upon it. A dog, too, if he picks up 

 a toad and happens to squeeze one of these glands, will drop the 



( M 868 ) X 



