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The following communication was likewise read : — " On the Re- 

 production of the Toad and Frog without the intermediate stage of 

 Tadpole." By Edward Joseph Lowe, Esq., F.G.S., F.R.A.S. 

 Communicated by J. Lee, LL.D., F.R.S. &c. Received February 

 19, 1853. 



The following brief remarks on the Toad (Bufo vulgaris) and the 

 Frog {Rana temporarid) may perhaps be received with some degree 

 of interest, as they are, I believe, contrary to the generally received 

 notion of the procreation of these reptiles. Ray, and most natural- 

 ists, at least, consider toads and frogs as oviparous animals, yet it 

 is apparent that they are viviparous as well, or if they do not bring 

 forth their young alive, have the power of reproduction in a differ- 

 ent manner to the ova and subsequent tadpole. 



Mr. J. Higginbottom of Nottingham, who has paid great atten- ' 

 tion to this subject, has clearly proved the development of the tad- 

 pole to the perfect toad in situations wholly deprived of light, as I 

 have through his kindness several times witnessed. My present re- 

 marks are intended to show that occasionally frogs and toads are 

 reproduced in localities where it would be impossible for the inter- 

 mediate stage of tadpole to have any existence. 



First. Toads deposit spawn in cellars and young toads are after- 

 wards observed. 



Last summer several masses of spawn were procured from my 

 cellar, having been found deposited amongst decaying potatoes, &c., 

 and subsequently 3^oung toads w^ere noticed. The cellar is free 

 from water, and at a considerable distance from any brook. 



Secondly. Young toads are observed about hot-beds. 



In the kitchen- garden at Highfield House (which is entirely walled 

 round) j^oung toads have been noticed about the cucumber- and 

 melon- beds. The gardeners have been in the habit of bringing 

 toads to these beds to destroy the insects; these have continued 

 amongst the warm damp straw all summer. It is after these beds 

 have remained three or four months that the young ones have been 

 noticed. Toads would have to travel nearly half a mile to reach 

 this garden from the brook or lake, and also to mount a steep hill, 

 besides taking the opportunity of coming through the door. Toads 

 so small are not seen in any other part of the gardens. 



Thirdly. Young toads and frogs observed in abundance at the sum- 

 mit of another hill, whilst quite small. 



During the past summer, especially in the month of July, very 

 many young toads and frogs were seen amongst the strawberry 

 plants, apparently from a week to a month old. These might pos- 

 sibly have travelled from the brook a few hundred yards distant ; 

 yet it is strange, that with the excej)tion of these beds, no young 

 toads could be found elsewhere in the garden. A number of full- 

 grown toads are mostly to be seen about these beds. 



Fourthly. Young frogs dug out of the ground in the month of 

 January. 



In digging in the garden amongst the strawberry-beds (near 

 where so many toads were observed last summer) in the middle of 



