188 A GARDEN DIARY 
experience Giraldus relates to us how, upon a 
certain occasion, a thong of Irish leather was, 
in his presence, drawn round a toad, and that, 
“coming to the thong, the animal fell backward 
as if stunned. It then tried the opposite side 
of the circle, but, meeting the thong all round, 
it shrank from it as if it were pestiferous. At 
last, digging a hole with its feet in the centre 
of the circle, it disappeared in the presence of 
much people.” 
Our frogs and toads are not likely at present 
to become an affliction to us. Should they ever 
do so I must certainly send for some Irish 
leather, or, failing that, for a pinch of Irish dust, 
and try its effect upon them. An influence that 
has been vouched for by such a variety of 
authorities ought to retain something of its 
ancient potency. Scientific experiments in any 
case are always interesting! 
