The Surinam Toad. 509 
so far conquered the horrors instilled into them by their 
nurses as generally to request to see it fed. It appeared 
most partial to flesh-maggots, which were kept for it in 
bran. It would follow them on the table, and, when 
within a proper distance, would fix its eyes and remain 
motionless for a little while, apparently to prepare for 
the stroke which was to follow, and which was instan- 
taneous. It threw out its tongue to a great distance, and 
the insect, stuck by the glutinous matter to its tip, was 
swallowed by a motion quicker than the eye could fol- 
low. After having been kept more than thirty- six years 
it was at length destroyed by a tame raven, which one 
day seeing.it at the mouth of its hole pulled it out, and 
so wounded it that it died. 
THE SURINAM TOAD, (Pipa Americana,) 
Which is one of the ugliest of all Toads, is remarkable 
for the mode in which the young are developed. The 
female, like that of the common Toad, deposits her eggs 
at the edge of the water, but instead of leaving them 
there, the male takes the mass of eggs and places them 
on the back of his partner, pressing them down into 
a number of curious pits, which are produced in that 
part at the breeding season. When each of the pits has 
received its egg, the orifice becomes closed by a sort of 
lid, and the young animal goes through all its changes 
