Marvels of the Universe 



481 



the fructification of the fungus, whose vegetative parts exist as mere threads ramif}'ing among the 

 rotting wood and leaves upon which it feeds. Then at a certain point in its life, little knots are 

 formed upon the threads and gradually assume a short club-shape. The thicker end is closed by a 

 thin veil, which soon breaks ; the edges of the beU turn over, and the eggs are revealed. If these 

 eggs are shaken out they will be found to be too thin and flat to keep up the egg illusion. More- 

 over, each one is attached to the walls of the interior by an elastic thread from its under surface. 



\Miat are these " eggs," and what their purpose ? If we are satisfied that our nest is some form 

 of plant-fife we shaU at once come to the conclusion that the eggs are seeds, and in this we shall be 

 near the truth, though not absolutelv reaching it. The plant, being a fungus, produces no seeds, b-at 



I'holo hu} 



iW. ,S-. Uerridge, F.Z S. 



THE FIRE-BELLIED TOAD. 



This Toad is coinmon in many parts of the Continent. It takes its name from the colour of its under surface, which varies 

 according to locality, the yello\v variety inhabiting streams at considerable elevation, while the orange foim confines itself to the 

 ponds and rivers of the plains. 



reproduces itself by means of spores, which are very different in character, though they attain the 

 same end. The egg is a special lentil-shaped body, in which the spores are produced. 



Our photographs represent the Bird's-nest Fungus of the natural size and enlarged to 

 twice the size. 



THE FIRE-BELLIED TOAD 



BY R. LYDEKKER. 



The Fire-bellied Toad is a representative of a small family of the frog tribe characterized bj' 

 the disc-like form of the tongue, which may be either free, or adherent to tlie floor of the mouth ; 

 the latter condition obtaining in the Fire-bellied species. Although unknown in the British Isles, 

 this Toad is common in many parts of the Continent, whence it extends eastwards into Asia. In 

 addition to the peculiar conformation of its tongue, it may be recognized by the warty character 

 of the olive-brown skin of the back, which may, or may not, be marbled with black ; and by the 

 smooth skin of the under-parts, which may be either yellow or orange, with black marblings. 



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