TOAD. 
33 
great cruelty) ever showed the least desire of re- 
venge, by spitting or emitting any juice from their 
pimples. Sometimes, upon taking it up, it would 
let out a great quantity of clear water, which, as 
I have often seen it do the same upon the steps 
when quite quiet, was certainly its urine, and no 
more than a natural evacuation.” 
In all probability this poor fellow would have 
lived much longer if he had not been brought to 
an untimely end by a tame raven, who one day 
seeing him at the mouth of his hole, pulled him 
out, and, before he could be rescued, destroyed one 
of his eyes, besides bruising him so much, that not- 
withstanding he lived a twelvemonth, he is said 
never to have enjoyed himself. After this accident 
he had a difficulty in taking his food, as he fre- 
quently missed the mark for want of his eye. 
During the heat of the day toads will never ven- 
ture from their hiding-places except upon extra- 
ordinary occasions ; therefore Mr. Arscott was sur- 
prised when he once from his parlour window ob- 
served a large toad which he had in the bank of a 
bowling-green, about twelve at noon, in very hot 
weather, extremely busy and active upon the grass : 
so uncommon an appearance made him go out to 
see what it was ; when he found an innumerable 
swarm of winged ants had dropped round his hole, 
which, he concludes, was a temptation as irre- 
sistible as a turtle would be to a luxurious aider- 
man. 
Many an unhappy patient has depended upon 
VOL. II. D 
