The record-union., 1899-07-21
Mr.. Haggard's Toads.

I have two tame toads, named Mar
tha and Jane, respectively. These
toads are strange and interesting crea-
lures, differing from each other in ap-
pearance and character. Martha is
stout and dark colored, a bold-natured
toad of friendly habit; Jane, on the
other hand, is pale and thin, with a
depressed air which suggests resigna-
ton born of long experience and cir
cumstances over which she has no
control. Some of this depression may
be due to the fact that once, entering
the greenhouse in twilight, 1 trod upon
her accidentally, a shock from which
she seems never to have recovered, al
though, owing to the adaptive powers
OF toads, beyond a slight f1attening
she took no physical harm from an
adventure which must have been pain
full. Indeed, I am not sure that of the
two of US l did not suffer most, for T
know of few things more upsetting
than the feel of fat toad beneath
ones foot. Anyhow, since that day
Jane has never quite trusted me-
These toads 1 feed with lobworms,
or sometimes with woodlice and cent?
ped Laksn firm traps made of ho}-
lowed-out potatoes. which are, set
among flower pots to attract such
creatures. In the latter case the in
sects must me thrown before the toad,
which never seems to see them until
they bagin % ru-, although it's ears
being quick, it can sometimes hear
them as they move along the floor be-
hind it.
When toad catches sight Of an in
sect its 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 be-
trays intense and concentrated inter-
est. Presently, from contemplation it
proceeds to action. By slow but pur-
poseful movements of it's crooked limbs
1t advances, pauses. and advances
again, till at length it reaches a posi-
ton which it considers convenient
Then, just as the centipede gains a
sheltering pebble, a long pink flash
seems to proceed from the head of the
toad. That is its tongue Another in
slant and the pink thing has twisted
itself around the insect and retired in
to the capacious mouth, and there,
once more wrapr=-i 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
woodlouse off her own head. Mis-
taking the nature of it's foothold, the
insect had been so unfortunate as to
run up her back, and becoming aware
of the tickling of it's little feet Martha
guessed the situation and acted on it.
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 perfect
microcosm of the struggle for existence
in which somebody has to go down, the
spectacle of Martha meeting with a
selected lobworm is to be recommends
ed. In this instance she sees the, thing
at once, for it is long, active and shiny
4toads will not touch anything that is
dead), and instantly clears for action.
Creeping forward with a dreadful de-
liberation, she arches her neck over the
worm, considering it with her beady
eye. Then, as it, begins to take refuge
beneath the shingle-for worms seem
to understand that toads are no friends
to them-Martha pounces and grips ii
by the middle. Next comes long
strain, like that of a thrush dragging