. Illustrated natural history : comprising descriptions of animals, birds, fishes, reptiles, insects, etc., with sketches of their peculiar habits and characteristics . Zoology. FROGS. 331 most absurd appearance as they stick against the pane of glass forming the front of their cage. The Common Toad has had its full share of marvellous tales. Its poisonous properties are celebrated in many an ancient chronicle, as are also the virtues of the jewel contained in its head. Its skin certainly does secrete an acrid humor, which at all events defends it from dogs, who can never be induced to bite a
. Illustrated natural history : comprising descriptions of animals, birds, fishes, reptiles, insects, etc., with sketches of their peculiar habits and characteristics . Zoology. FROGS. 331 most absurd appearance as they stick against the pane of glass forming the front of their cage. The Common Toad has had its full share of marvellous tales. Its poisonous properties are celebrated in many an ancient chronicle, as are also the virtues of the jewel contained in its head. Its skin certainly does secrete an acrid humor, which at all events defends it from dogs, who can never be induced to bite a toad a second time; but, of course, such absurd notions as the romantic story of the _. _ „ ^ •' The Common Toad. death of a young lady and her lover, who each ate a leaf of a shrub at the root of which a tcad had made its habitation, need no refutation. The Newts are separated from the lizards on account of their changes while young. Like the frogs, they are first tadpoles, and do not assume their perfect shape until six weeks after their exclusion from the eggs. The Common Newt is a beautiful inha- bitant :[ the ponds, ditches, and still waters. It feeds principally on tadpoles and worms, which it eats with a peculiar rapid snap. The male Newt is distinguished by a beautiful crimson- tipped wavy crest of loose skin, that extends along the whole course of the back and tail, and which, together with the rich orange-colored belly, makes it a most beautiful creature. The female has a singular habit of laying her eggs upon long leaves of water-plants, and actually tying them in the leaf by a regular knot. The Proteus is an extraordinary animal, which has been found in dark subterranean lakes, many hundred feet below the surface of the earth, where no ray of light can possibly enter The eyes of this singular creature are mere points covered with skin, and useless for vision; indeed, when in captivity, it always chooses the darkest parts of the vessel in which it is confined. Th
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1883
