POLICEMEN OF THE GARDEN 179 
eighteen months two of the toads were still alive. 
In another oft-quoted experiment, toads were 
buried in cavities in sandstone and in limestone. 
Those buried in the sandstone lived thirteen 
months; those in the more porous material sur¬ 
vived about two years. Toads are remarkably 
long-lived, specimens having been known to reach 
the advanced age of thirty-six.” 
“ Here now, Toady,” said Ruth, returning 
with two or three dead flies in her chubby fist. 
“ See! Eat ’em up, quick! ” and she dropped her 
offering before the “ guest.” 
But, to the disappointment of all, the toad 
never so much as even batted an eye in thanks. 
“ Try him with a live fly, Ruthie,” suggested 
Uncle John, again joining the group. “ Here,” 
and he deftly captured a noisy bluebottle drum¬ 
ming against the screen, eager to be gone. 
Quickly the little scavenger was tossed whirling 
and remonstrating in front of the toad, and 
presto! swift as lightning out came a curious 
darting tongue and the bluebottle disappeared. 
“ Toads seldom care for dead or motionless 
food,” Uncle John went on to explain, after the 
various ejaculations had subsided, “ but you see 
what happens when live bait appears. Cut¬ 
worms seem to sense that so long as they staj^ 
curled up they are safe. But let one conclude 
that the toad is napping, and start to get away, 
