TOAD, a toad (Scaphio pus holbrookii), resembling the common toad in general appearance but differing from it so greatly in structure as to be placed in a distinct family (Scaphiopidtz). They have teeth on both the upper jaw and the vomer bone; the bodies of the vertebra: are cupped in front; the ster num is altogether cartilaginous; the sacral transverse processes are greatly expanded; the pupil of the eye vertical and the side of the foot is provided with a plate-like appendage supported by cartilage, from which they take their name. The spade-foot is found through out the eastern United States, but is in most places rare and of very uncertain occurrence, appearing suddenly in great numbers and as suddenly disappearing some seasons and again being entirely absent. It lives in burrows, from which it issues at night or after long-continued rains to feed on insects. Early in the spring
it breeds, the eggs being deposited in temporary rain-pools. If the season be a dry one, de velopment of the tadpoles is much quickened by the drying up of the water, but in wet sea sons the larval period is extended. Most re markable is the voice, which is so loud as to astonish all who hear it produced from so small an animal. These toads are very noisy during the period of reproduction, but soon after be come quiet and disappear. Another species (S couchis) is found in Texas and Mexico, five or six more in the latter country and three other species belong to western Europe and the Mediterranean region. Consult Dickerson, 'The Frog Book' (new ed., New York 1914); Gadow, Hans, 'Amphibia and Reptiles' (in 'Cambridge Natural History' Vol. VIII, Lon don 1901).