96 



INTRODUdTION TO ZOOLOGY. 



THE TOAD. 



Study a toad in the same way that you did a frog. 

 Make a table of differences, as follows : — 



Additional Facts About the Toad. 



The toad is very similar to the frog in general ap- 

 pearance, but its body is thicker, its legs shorter and 

 weaker. Its skin is warty and it is not confined to 

 proximity to water. The skin is furnished with 

 glands, from which a disagreeable liquid may be 

 ejected when the toad is excited by danger or fear of 

 danger. While the liquid is not poisonous, it is suffi- 

 ciently disagreeable to be fairly effective as a means 

 of defense. There is no foundation for the common 

 juvenile belief that handling toads will make warts 

 on a person's skin. The toad generally remains con- 

 cealed under a stone or doorstep or other suitable 

 object in the daytime, and begins active operations in 

 the early evening. It catches earthworms, caterpil- 

 lars, beetles, and other insects. The tongue is quite 

 extensible, and is attached in front, the free tip 

 lying back in the mouth. This arrangement allows it 

 to be extended farther than it could be if it were 

 fastened at the back, as the human tongue is. It is 

 covered with a slimy, sticky secretion that causes an 

 insect to stick to it when brought into contact with it. 

 The toad catches insects by darting its sticky tongue 

 out upon them. It is a very skillful marksman, and 



