Harper's New Monthly Magazine

oy an unmerited reputation, while others find the

popular prejudice, I

ess of the animal, the venom he ejaculates, and a thousand othe

nd M. de Monthyon were not handsome, and yet the former, with the acclamations of all France, has been crowned by the Academy; the latter has consecrated his immense fortune to charitable institutions. We could further cite,

im far higher in the esteem of impartial persons, than the dove, whom we cite so often as a model of tenderness, yet who, let it be noticed

w me into the forest of Meudon, where toads are found in greater

n, at brief intervals, varies in such a manner, that one seems to hear it retire and approach on one side or another, like the sound of a trumpet by which the motions of a flag are directed. The greater part of the time one can not determi

he, moreover, protects her at the peril, and often even at the sacrifice of his life. If any one attacks a female, the male rushes in front of the aggressor, p

the prey he hunts for her, only eats after she has finished, and altogether acts in a manner, that might make many a Parisian husband blush. Further, he is fiery, jealous; he perm

dear to the ancient Lucina, arrives, it is he who performs for his companion, the tender duties of the occasion; he takes t

r eggs, and therein the eggs undergo the different transformations peculiar

he toad, and in seeking to re-install him

ase, and who, every evening as soon as he saw the lights, came into the dining-room. He suffered himself to be taken up and placed on the table, where they fed him with worms, flies, and wood-lice. He took these insects delicat