We must now pass in review some of the numerous animals which inhabit
these regions. In some of the mountain plateaux, among the cactuses and
sand-heaps, we find that singularly-made animal known vulgarly as the
Texan toad or horned frog--a name which in no way properly belongs to
him, as he is more nearly related to the lizards and salamanders. He
lives as contentedly on the hot baked prairies of Texas, as amongst
their snow-surrounded heights; though, from his appearance, we should
expect to see him basking under a semi-tropical sun, rather than in this
region. Yet here he lives, and must often have to spend much of his
time under the snow. These toads, as the creatures are called, have
brown backs, white bellies, small twinkling black eyes, set in
almond-shaped slits, enclosed by two dark marks of the same shape. This
has the effect of enlarging the eye, and giving it a soft look like that
of the antelope. The two retro-curved horns, which rise out of bony
sockets above the eyes, add still more to this odd resemblance.
The skin of the back and the long stiff tail, instead of being warted
like the true toad's upper surface, is set with thorny excrescences.
That of the lower surface is a dry tough tissue, almost horny. Whether
this armour is given him to defend himself from the rattlesnake, it is
difficult to say. The creature itself is of a peaceable disposition;
and so unwilling is he to fight, that he will allow himself to be taken
in the hand, and if placed on it directly after capture, he will not
attempt to get away. It is very easy to catch him in the first place,
for his movements over the loose sand of his haunts are scarcely faster
than those of a land tortoise.
The trappers and other scattered inhabitants of this region describe a
fish with hands as frequenting the brooks and pools. Though there are,
no doubt, some curious fish, it is questionable how far these creatures
possess the members ascribed to them.