BUFO VIRIDIS. 253 



Length of the body about 3| inches, but often very 

 much larger in the Morea and Sicily. Specimens from the 

 former country are said to measure 10 inches. 



The general colour is a brownish grey, the tubercles 

 being reddish brown -, sometimes the upper parts incline 

 to olive or black; the under parts are yellowish white, 

 either plain, or irregularly spotted with black ; a brown or 

 black band is always present along the outer margin of the 

 parotid protuberances. Specimens brought from Japan differ 

 from those of Europe only in being a good deal darker. 



The Toad crawls or runs, but does not leap like the 

 Frog ; frequents moist places, but may often be met with 

 on dusty roads. Spawns in the water in April or the end 

 of March, the eggs forming long chains. The Tadpoles are 

 smaller and blacker than those of the Frog. It changes 

 its entire skin periodically. The glands on the back and 

 sides secrete a foetid acrid matter. Feeds on insects, slugs, 

 and earth-worms. 



Is found commonly all over Europe, from Sweden and 

 Eussia, to Greece and Italy. In England and Scotland, 

 but not in Ireland. 



Bufo viridis. 



Bufo viridis, Dun. et Bib. vol. viii. p. 681 ; Boon. Faun. Ital. 



(figured). 

 Bufo variabilis, Schinz, Europ. Faun. vol. ii. p. 74. 

 Bufo calamita, Book. Faun. Ital. (figured) ; Bell, Hist. Brit. Rep. 

 The Natter-Jack Toad. 



Desceiption . — The general form is similar to the Common 

 Toad, but the body is less swollen ; the eyes are more 

 projecting, with the eyelids very much elevated above the 

 crown ; the porous protuberance behind the ears not nearly 

 so large as in the last species ; the toes on the fore-feet 

 are more nearly equal ; the third, however, is still a little 



