CHAPTER XI 



FROGS, TOADS, SALAMANDERS, SNAKES, LIZARDS, 

 TURTLES, ETC. 



As unattractive as this title may seem, nevertheless the 

 animals named should be studied in nature-study. Prejudice 

 and repugnance once cast aside, these creatures are very in- 

 teresting, and furnish some very profitable lessons. 



One reason why they should be studied is to combat the 

 superstitious dread that children and so many grown people 

 have for them, and which creates such a dislike that it results 

 in the killing of a vast number of these harmless animals. 

 Of course it is proper to caution the child against the few 

 really poisonous or dangerous reptiles that we have in this 

 country, but it is positively wrong for parents and others to 

 make children afraid of the harmless ones; for example, the 

 useful toad and the pretty little garter snake. Toads do not 

 cause warts, and garter snakes are neither vicious nor poison- 

 ous. The fear that many children have of reptiles is very 

 great, and we do them a service if we dispel this through 

 proper knowledge. Perhaps a little of this fear is instinctive. 

 Many lower animals, the dog, for instance, show their dislike 

 for reptiles; but most cases of fear in children are the result 

 of education, or rather false teaching from parents and com- 

 panions. If we teach our children that frogs, toads, and 

 snakes are harmless, and even useful in destroying harmful 



pests, perhaps they will treat them more humanely. As it 



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