National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-08-30

A scientist, DR.. Thomas Ill., at Portland,
stated the following on the eighth day Of the
session Of the association.
In the summers Of 1si3-45 an old toad
used to alt under the door Of beehive every
fine morning, and dexterously pick up those
hoes who were laden, or tired, or missed the
doorstep and fell to the ground.
When our toad gets into his mouth part Of
an insect too large for his tongue to thrust
down his throat, land have known Of their
attempting wounded cumming bird, } he re-
sorts to the nearest stone or clod, and presses
the protruding part Of his mouthful against
II and thus crowds 1t down his throat. This
can be observed at any time by tyinga To-
Gusts hind legs together and throwing1t be-
fore toad. On one occasion gave ''yel-
low striped" locust to little toad In Its sec
ond summer, when he was In the middle of q
very wide gravel walk. In moment he had
the locusts head down his throat, Its hinder
parts protruding, and looking around for
stone or clod, but finding none at hand In
either direction. he bowed Ills head and crept
along, pushing the locust against the ground.
But the angle with the ground was too small
and my walk too well rolled. To increase
the angle he Strengthened his hind legs up,
but In vain. At length he threw up his hind
quarters and actually stood on his head, or
rather on the locust sticking out Of his
twice succeeded in getting himself outside
Of his dinner"
was tossing four year-old toad lat Anti
och college, earthworms, while digging, and
presently threw him so large specimen
that he was obliged to attack one end only.
That end was Instantly transferred to his
stomach, the other end writhing free In air
aud colled about the toad's head. He waited
until his writings gave him chance, swal-
lowed half an inch, then taking nip with
his Jaws waited for chance to draw In
another half Inch. But there were so many
half inches to dispose Of that at length his
jaws grew tired, lost their hrmness OF grip,
and tie worm orawled out Ave eighths al an
inch between each half inch swallowing.
The toad, perceiving this, brought his right
hand to aid Ills Jaws, grasplng his abdomen
with his foot and by q little effort getting
hold Of the worm In his stomach from the
outside, he thus by bis foot held fast u
emily succeeded In getting the worm entirely
down.
A garter snake was observed this summer
In North Conway pushing toad down hi
throat by running 1t against the clods ant
stones, Just as the toad crowds down 10
Gust. -.
The amount which a toad can eat Is sur
prising. On Tuesday threw squashbug Il
young toad. He snapped II up, but imme
diately rejected 1t, wiped his mouth witt
great energy, and then hoped away with eI
traordinary rapldlty. | was go much amused
that gathered some more OF the sowbug AM
carried them to fayorite old toad at tn
northeast corner Of the house. He ate then
all without any wry faces. ! gathered al
that / could nnd on my vines, and he ate then
all, to the number Of Is. thcn brought hin
some larye Of pygaera menistra, three quar-
ters grown, and succeeded In cnticing him
put o. on tho top Of his squashbugs., Find
Ing that his virtue was not proof against III
catcrpillars when put them on the end Of
straw and tickled his nose with them no .
length turned and crept under the piazzi
where he remained until Friday dlgesting b
feast.
This, like the paper on snakes, brought so,
eral members to their feot, but the clima
was finally capped by a man who had seen
toad swallow with relish 7l3 housefles.