Toad
(Bufo vulgaris). There are few more useful animals in a garden than the common Toad, despite the prejudices with which it has so long been regarded, and which are, even yet, hardly extinct in some minds. It is, however, scarcely necessary, in the present day, to waste words to disprove the belief, so widely prevalent in the past, that the Toad is venomous. It is perfectly harmless to human beings. It is of much value in a garden, from the fact that it feeds largely on insects and slugs. During the day, Toads shelter themselves under stones, or in holes in the soil; or, in default of these, they will retreat to the shade of broad-leaved plants. The night is their time for movement and for taking food; though a dull, wet day will also tempt them out. Despite the slowness of their motions, they are able to capture the most active insects. This is done by means of the tongue, which can be shot forth from the mouth to a surprising distance.