fter it is hatched.

5. The toad feeds on insects, and is very useful about the garden, as
it picks off the grubs and beetles that destroy the fruit and flowers.

6. It eats only living insects, and it never chases its prey. It will
sit motionless until a fly or other insect comes within reach, and
then it darts out its tongue so rapidly that the little victim can not
escape.

7. It swallows its food whole. When it seizes a worm, it crams fold
after fold into its mouth with its fore feet, and, when all is in, it
gives one great gulp, and the worm disappears down the wide throat.
The toad sleeps in some hole, or out-of-the-way place, during the day;
but it comes out about sunset and searches for food all night.

8. Every few months the toad gets a new coat. Its old skin gets hard
and dry, and cracks open on the back, showing a new skin under it.
Then the toad pulls his head out, and pushes the old skin off his body
and legs. When he has got it all off, he rolls it up into a ball and
swallows it.

9. Toads live thirty or forty years, and often become quite tame. They
will come at a call, and they seem to enjoy a gentle scratching. When
held by the legs, they will catch the flies brought within their reach
as readily as when at liberty.

LESSON L.

_THE SNAIL AND ITS HOUSE._

[Illustration]

1. In summer, when walking out in country places, we often find pretty
little snail-shells. Some of these are empty, and some have a live
snail within.

2. The shell is the snail's house. It is a queer house, as it grows on
him, as hair grows on a cat; and he carries it about on his back when
he walks.

3. The snail lives upon plants. In the day he finds some safe place
under a stone, or in a hole, draws himself into his house, and goes to
sleep. In the night he comes out and feeds.

4. When we catch a snail, and wish to look at him, we find that he has
gone into his house, where we can not see him.

5. To make him come out, put a plate in warm water until it is about
as warm as the hand. Then dip the shell into the water, and put it on
the warm, wet plate.

6. Then the snail will come out. First, he will put his head out. Then
from the front part of his head he win put out four soft horns, two
long ones and two short ones.

7. His eyes are in the ends of his long horns. When the horns are out,
if you watch close, you will see the eyes move up to the tips.

8. Next comes the body, which is soft, long, and