Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-09-09
The Toad and his Repast,

Few of our readers, most probably, have ever
observed the toad at his repast K is perform
ed with electric rapidity, and with more than
telegrammic precision. The tongue is doubled
back upon itself, and is tipped with a glutinous
secretion. The moment the beetle comes with
in range, the tongue is shot forth with unerr-
ing aim, and, quick as lightning, the captive
is withdrawn. They are invaluable in a garden.
Mr.. Jessee, in his gleanngs, complains of gar
deners destroying them, Of sayagely cutting
itheAa hi two tt-.iss y M ss-ass 44a..
Horticulturists of such = gross Ignorance y
ought themselves to be extirpated- The beauty
and vigor of our flower borders we have long
ascribed, in measure, to select family of
toads, which we tenderly protect, and some of
which have now reached patrarchal age.
Mr. Jesses mentions that Mr. Insight, the emf
nent nurseryman, keeps a large number of toads
in his stoves, for the purpose Of destroying the
woodlice that infests his plants, and that they
do not seom at all affected bys the heat, even
when it reaches l30 degrees. We are surpris-
ed at this statement, which does not agree wi tn
our observation We have observed that the
toad in very hot weather seeks shelter under fo-
liage, Or bures himself amongst the soft mould.
In the evening he emerges from his concealment,
and no doubt then employs his protusile tongue.
Mr. Buckland mentions a csSous use of toads.
They are employed as insect-tt2ps. A brigade
of marauding toads are conducted into the gar
den in the evening. They make famous sup
per, but in the morning their chronological
employer, by II gentle squeeze, compels them to
dsgorge their evening meal, and in this way
many curious and rare specimens of rare and
minute nocturnal insects have been obtained.
" There is just now,' says Mr.. Buckland, " a
plague of ants in many of the London houses,
which defy determination, strongly recon-
mend those who are troubled with these plaques
to try whether toad or two won't help them. :"
Most certainly. The clean ,melon frames of
these insects, and why should they not perform
the same friendly Office in the drawing rooms
of London citizens? Nothing but ignorant
! prejudice can prevent the adopting of the excel
, lent suggestion. And yet the prejudice exists,
and they are loathed species. Toads, time
fmmemorial, have been persscuted by school.
boys, and you cannot wander through Il village
on summer day without seeing defunct and
Aattened specimens of these unofonding crea-
lures. Innocent of liJera tig 1T would be ira
cling the cruelty Of the ulAshs to too high a
source to ascribe into the ugly and venomous'
toad of Shakespeare, Or the yet more odious i'm
agery of Milton And yet, from the erroneous
natural history of the two great national poets
: the idea may have originated, and thus handed
e down from one race of school-boys to another
: While toads are not truly venomous, and
Z, lack the specific apparatus for producing venom
S which really venomous reptiles are endowed
: with, there is an irrtant secretion in the glands
+ of their skin which is more tr less injurious
j When dog soizes a toad, this gIandular fluid
: is squirted out and his tongue and lips are burn
9 cd, as with strong acid.
: The metamorphosis which frogs and toad
d undergo is complete and remarkable, In theil
l. tadpole condition the respiration is performed
), by glls, and is aquatic. In their adult stat
IS their gils are converted into true lungs, ant
can breathe atmospheric air alone. The spawl
of frogs and toads is very distnguishable. Tn
spawn of the former is found distributed through
ID the whole mass of jelly, while that Of the latte
II is seen arranged in long strggF, and general.
je in double rows" Cupiostas of Naturas HIS
ID tory," in Black,oood.