Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1866-08-17
Fsoa he Aasriosa AC.ouAsri.s
Something about the Toad.

The toad q bonely Eftle bsnchbsek.
vith a ROACH -arsy skin. and seems NJ least
deserving Of pity. Bat Ike many other
unfort1nAtes. he has been judged a villain
iron has looks. and faliea . victim 90 preia-
dice. No more harmless animal lives be
cannot bite. scratch. or infiiei other in jury.
yet long chapters Of bis supposed vices and
crimes have been written. One writer avs
- II he burrows near the root Of a tree. er-
cry one ~ho eats n leaf thereof vii die. or
Il he Oaly handles "a be vii Be struck with
sudden erznP-- The cause Of this poison
va sad ~ BE the liver 4" ~hich - very W.
eious. and csnsctA the whole BODY % De Of
IN al Temperament Fortunaisly howey-
or. tosds we're said 90 have two E,er.. and
" siiho1gh both Of tbeE are corrupted. vet
one - tall Of poison. and the other resis,s
poison An sfret9al rem edy Cor toad Poi-
son -as said 10 be composed Of - planiai
black helebore. powdered crabs. the blood
OF the sea-tortoiss mixed wilh ~ine. The
stalks Of dogs tongues. the perDet Of
harw. The quintessenoe Of treacle. and the
cd Of q SCORPION nIxsd.' Bot even IN the
days -hen this PrOdigioss prescription "a.
invented. some good ~as sekno- Iedged to
exist IN the toad. II Vas said 20 have a
precious je-sl in is bad. and also 20 have
great power 70 stop the aow Of blood.
Says one. e" IL any one fall and knock his
nose against s;One. be can stop the blood
Il be bold Gnsd Toad in Lls had because
the horror and fear eOnstrain The blood 20
run into is proper place. for fear ola beast
50 eontrary 10 human nature Such non
sense As tins Is nov scarcely beard. except
IN some ignorant districts in Europe. where
people knOw httle more than what tLsir ~
n0rant Parents hAnded down 70 then. The
toad certainly can not Be praised Tor his
beauty. although his eve Is a. brishs As a
jesel; but like many other houneiv ersa-
lures be has rare virtues. He does DO harm.
lie may 1--we "a the garden anoug the most
tempting berries add aO-srs. hst not one
one wili be Pi0ek; b. taste does not run
that way Bet let hy. bss. OF : -crm
sbow himself within reach. ard the dali. .ts-
pad looking toad Instantly appears Ike
another beng be Is al animation, and kis
eye giistens With excitement; has tongue !,
shot iron has mouth like fash. and The IN.
sect disappears down the throat % The hap
Py toad Has tongue Is admirably con-
trlved for thIs use. IT, base or root !. las
tened n The entrance Of The mouth. the IT'D
end wien Al rest pointing do-n the ANNALS
throat IL is covered Nth sticky sllne.
70 -h'eh tbe insect adberes Il bit AID then
the victim makes q very rapid Journey 70
The toad . stomach Gardeners viii do well
20 encour1ge The visits Of these insect kiIl-
ers- Ento0olOgis's nav also procure ma
ny rare Specimens BY ki!ling The toad and
examining the insects ~hich be has suaL
loved The next time you snd q toad. try
has sxPertness ~ith fs- bags and worms.
observing his habits oil give much pleas
ure- Perhaps BY becoming vel acquainted
with bin. you may ehance 70 see BIN change
hrs coat and Pants. uhieh be does occasion
Ahy-euriousiy enough. when be takes Of
has old ska. be roll. ii into ball and sval-
lows IA.