60 PECULIARITIES OP FRENCH TOADS. 



dried toad in the hand, and the bleeding would im- 

 mediately cease. The reason for this effect is, that 

 "horror and fear constrained the blood to run into 

 his proper place, for fear of a beast so contrary to 

 humane nature ". 



And, as a concluding instance of the wonderful 

 things that happened whenever toads were the sub- 

 ject, we are told that at Darien, where the house- 

 hold slaves water the door-steps in the evening, all 

 the drops that fall on the right hand turn into toads. 



These poor creatures fare little better even now, 

 as far as public opinion goes ; and in France worse 

 than in England. 



I was once walking in the forest at Meudon with 

 a party of friends, and was brought to a check by a 

 sudden attack made on a large toad that was walk- 

 ing along the pathway. I succeeded in stopping a 

 blow that was aimed at it ; and was stooping down, 

 intending to remove it to a place of safety, when I 

 was hastily pulled away, and horror was depicted on 

 the countenances of all the spectators. 



" It will, bite you," cried one. 



" Pouah ! " exclaimed another, " it will spit poison 

 at you." 



" In France, every one kills toads," said a third. 



I objected that it could not bite, because it had no 

 teeth. 



" No teeth ! " they all exclaimed. " In France, 

 toads always have teeth." 



