usefulness of the toad and also the beauty represented in its
adaptations to its conditions of life. In these particulars the toad is
a good illustration of the adage "Handsome is that handsome does".

LIFE HISTORY OF THE TOAD

In early spring look for the toads on the surface of the water in ponds.
The music of the toads at this time of year has been described by one
naturalist as "one of the sweetest sounds of nature".

The eggs may be found in these ponds at this time. They are attached to
long strings of jelly which entwine among grasses and other objects in
the ponds. (Frogs' eggs are in masses of jelly, not in strings.) Place
some of the eggs in a jar of water and set the jar in the window of the
school-room. A great mass of eggs is too much to put in a jar, a few
dozen eggs in a pint of water will be more likely to develop. The water
in the jar should be changed twice a week.

~Observations.~--The light and dark areas of the eggs, the dark area
gradually increasing in size; the increase in the length of the egg; the
gradual change of the dark area into the general shape of a tadpole with
head and tail, the first appearance of the gills, the separation from
the jelly, the movement by means of the tail, the disappearance of the
gills, the growth of the hind legs and, later, of the forelegs, and the
disappearance of the tail.

~Questions and Observations.~--What is the use of the dark colour of the
area from which the tadpole is formed?

Explain the uses of the strings of jelly.

Describe how the tadpole swims.

Upon what does the young tadpole feed?

What is the advantage of external gills at this stage in the tadpole's
life?

~Later Observations.~--The disappearance of the gills, the budding out of
the hind legs and, later, the forelegs. While the legs are growing out,
the tail gradually becomes smaller, at the same time the shape changes
to that of the adult toad with a broad body and large mouth and eyes.

~Questions.~--What movements has the toad which the tadpole did not have?

What makes these movements possible?

Why is the mouth of the toad better suited to its manner of life than
the small mouth of the tadpole would be?

Of what advantage to the tadpole was the smooth outline of its body, and
why is the rougher outline of the toad's body better suited for the life
of the latter?

Why would gills be unsuitable for the life of the toad?

_To the teacher._--From the dark area of the egg the