The daily morning journal and courier., 1899-06-26
MIR. HAGGARD's ToADs.


 have two tame toads, named Martha and Jane, respectively. These toads are strange and interesting creatures, differ- ing much from each other in appear ance and character. Martha is stout and dark colored, bold-natured toad of friendly habit; Jane, on the other hand, is pale and thin, with depressed air which suggests resignation born of long experience of circumstances over which pression may be due to the fact that once, entering the greenhouse in the tWi- light, I trod upon her accidentally, shock from which she seems never to have recovered, although, owing to the adaptive powers of toads, beyond a slight tlattening she took no physical harm from an adventure which must have been painful. Indeed, I am not sure that of the two of us I did not suf- fer most, for know of few things more upsetting than the feel of a fat toad be- heath one's foot, Anyhow, since that day Jane has never quite trusted me.
 These toads I feed with lobworms, or sometimes with woodlce and centipedes taken from traps made of hollowed-out potatoes, which are set among the flower pots to attract such creatures. In the latter case the insects must be thrown before the toad, which never seems to see them until they begin to run, although. it's ears being quick, 1t can sometimes hear them as they move along the floor behind it.
 When a toad catches sight of an in- sect it's attitude of profound repose changes suddenly to one of extraordi- nary animation Its swivel eyes seem to project and fix themselves upon the doomed creature off which it Is about to lunch; Its throat begins to palpitate with violence. and its general air betrays intense and concentrated interest. Pres ently, from contemplation it proceeds to action By slow but purposeful move ments of its crooked limbs it advances, pauses and advances again, till at length it reaches a position which it considers convenient. Then, just as the centipeda gains a sheltering pebble, a long pink flash seems to proceed from the head of the toad. That is it's tongue. Another
 instant and the pink thing has twisted itself around the insect and retired into the capacious mouth, and there, once more wrapped in deep peace and rest, sits the toad, it's eyes turned in pious thankfulness to heaven, or, rather to the roof of the greenhouse. The other day even I saw Martha take wood- louse off her own head. Mistaking the !, been so unfortunate as to run up her back and. becoming aware of the tick ling of it's little feet, Martha guessed the situation and acted on 1t.
 If the observer wishes to see what my old gardener calls ''the beauty of the thing,' woodlice and centipedes un- doubtedly provide the best show but for real grim earnest for a perfect mi crocosm of the struggle for existence in which somebody has to go down, the spectacle of Martha meeting with se- lected lobworm is to be recommended. Tn this instance she sees the thing at once for it is long, active and shiny (toads will not touch anything that is dead), and instantly clears for action. Creeping forward with dreadful de- liberation, she arches her neck over the worm, considering it with her beady eye Then, as 1t begins to take refuge be- heath the shingle--for worms seem to understand that toads are no friends to them-Martha pounces and grips it by the middle Next comes a long strain, like that of a thrush dragging at a branding in the garden. and, after the strain, the struggle.
 Heavens! what q fight it isl Magnify the size of the combatants by five hum dred, and no man would dare to stay to look at it. The worm writhes and rolls; Martha, seated on her haunches, beats its extremities with her front paws cramming, pushing, gulping, and To! gradually the worm seems to shorten. Shorter it grows, and shorter yet. It is into Martha's inside. And now nothing is left but little pink tip projecting from the corner of her mouth, in appearance not unlike that of a light ed cigar.
 The tip vanishes, and you think that tn tragedy is over. But no; presently there is a convulsion, followed by a re- surrection as frantic as 1t is futile. Again the war is waged, this time more feebly; and soon, once more shrouded in holy calm as in a garment. Martha sits smiling at the roof of the greenhouse, re- fecting probably upon worms that she swallowed years before anybody now living was born. But as a matter of one would like to know what is happening inside of her. Clearly her digestive fluids must be of the best.
 l imagine that toads live great while at least that is the impression among people. Old men will declare even that they have known a, certain toad all their lives, but this proves noth- ing, for some descendant may so ex- actly resemble it's ancestor as to deceive the most careful observer.H. Rider Longman's Magazine.