The times., 1899-08-16
RIDER HAeeARD's ToADs.
The Writer Tells "a story About His
Pets.
(From Longlnan's Magazine


Pets.
From LongInsn's Magazine.)
I have two tame toads, named Martha
and lane. respectively. These tOads are
strange and interesting creatures, diher-
ing much from each other in appearance
and character. Martha is stout and dark
colored; Jane, On the other hand, is pale
and thin. with depressed air which sug-
.yests resignation born of long experience
OF circumstances over which she has no
control. Some of this depression may be
due 10 the fact that once, entering the
greenhouse in the twilight, / trod upon
her accidentlly, a shock from which she
seems never 10 have recovered, although,
owing TO the adaptive powers OF toads, be-
yond a slight flaTtening she took no physi-
cal harm from an adventure which must
have been painful. Indeed, / am not sure
that OF the Two Of US / did not suffer the
more, for / know of few things more up
setting than the feel of a fat toad beneath
ones foot Anyhow, since that day Jane
has never quite trusted me.
These toads / feed with lobworms. OF
sometimes with woOdIice and centipedes
taken from traps made of hoilowed-out po-
1atoes, which are set among The flower pots
10 attract such creatures. In the latter
case the insects must be thrown before the
toad. which never seems to see them until
they begin 10 run, although, its ears be-
ing quick il can sometimes hear them as
they move along the floor behind it.
When a toad catches sight Of an insect
its attitude of profound repose changes
suddenly 10 one of extraordinary anima-
tion It's swivel eyes seem to project and
fix themselves upon the doomed creature
OF which il is about to lunch; its throat
begins TO paipitate with violence, and its
general air betrays intense and concen-
trated interest. Presently. from contem-
plation il proceeds 10 action. By slow but
purposeful movements Of its crooked limbs
it advances, pauses and advances again,
till al length il reaches a position 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
instant and the pink thing has twisted it
self around the insect and retired into the
capacious mouth, and there, once more
wrapped in deep peace and rest, sits the
toad, its eyes turned in pious thankful
ness to heaven, or, rather TO the roof Of
the greenhouse. The other day even
saw Martha take a woodlouse of her own
head. Mistaking the nature Of its foot
hold the insect had been so unfortunate
as TO run up her back. and, becoming
aware OF the tickling of its little feet.
Martha guessed the situation and acted
on it.
II the observer wishes to see what my
old gardener calls the beauty of the
thing" woodlice and centipedes undoubt-
edly provide the best show, but for real
grim earnest, for a perfect microcosm OF
the struggle for existence in which some
body has to go down, the spectacle of
Martha meeting with q selected lObworm
Is TO be recommended. In this instance
she sees the thing at once, for it is long,
active. and shiny (toads viii not touch
anything that is dead, and instantly
clears for action. Creeping forward with
a dreadful delibersron. she arches her
neck over the worm. considering it with
her beady eye. Then, as 1t begins 10 take
refuge beneath the shingle-for worms
seem TO understand that toads are no
friends TO them-Martha pounces and
grips il by the middle Next comes long
strain. like that Of a thrush dragging at
a branding in the garden, and, after the
strain, the struggle.
Heavensi what a fight it is Magnify
the size Of the eombatants by five hun
dred, and no man would dare TO stay 10
look at it. The worm writhes and rolls;
Martha. seated on her launches, beats its
extremeties with her front paws-cram-
ming, pushing. gulping, and To- gradually
the worm seems 10 shorten. Shorter II
grows, and shorter yet It is vanishing
into Marthas inside. And now nothing
Is 4ElL DuL niue ll-S Up F4OJI~A.AA-
from the corner OF the mouth. in appear
ance not unlike that of a lighted cigar
The tip yanishes and you think that the
tragedy is over. But no; presently there Is
a conyulsion, followed by q resurrection
as frantic as it is futile. Again the war
ia waged. this time moro feebly; and soon,
once more shrouded in holy calm, as in
a garment, Martha sits smiling at the
roof of the greenhouse, rejecting probably
upon worms that she swallowed years be-
fore anybody now living was born But
as a matter Of curiosity one would like to
know what is happening inside of her.
Clearly her digestive fluids must be OF the
best.
I imagine that toads live 4 great while
at least that is the impression among the
country people. Old men will declare. even.
that they have known certain toad all
their lives, but this proves nothing, for
some descendant may so exactly resemble
its ancestor as 10 deceive the most careful
observer.