422 A DESCRIPTION OP 
are always skinned. They are rather dear, being con- 
sidered a great delicacy. The Edible Frogs are caught in 
various ways ; sometimes in the night, by means of nets, 
collecting together round the light of torches that are car- 
ried out for the purpose ; and sometimes by hooks, baited 
with worms, insects, flesh, or even a bit of red cloth. They 
are exceedingly voracious, and seize every thing that 
moves before them. 
THE TOAD, (Bufo vulgaris,) 
Whose name seems to carry with itself something of an 
opprobrious meaning, is not unworthy the attention of the 
keen observer of nature : for though prejudice and false 
associations have affixed a stigma on certain species of 
animals, none of the works of our Creator are despicable ; 
but all, the more minutely they are examined, are found 
to have the greater claim to our admiration. Somewhat 
like the frog in the body, it also resembles that animal in 
its habits ; but the frog leaps, while the Toad crawls. It is 
an error to suppose the Toad to be a noxious and venomous 
animal ; it is as harmless as the frog, and, like some of 
the human kind, only labours under the stigma of unde- 
served calumny. Several stories have been related of its 
spitting poison, or knowing how to expel the venom it 
may have received from the spider or any other animals ; 
but these fables have been long exploded. A curious, and 
