Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/254

226] TO A after, a whisk or roll of coarse and hard twisted flax must be employed, for spreading the composition uni- formly over the sides and bottom of the vessel. To improve the coating, about a third part of zinc may be added to the tin 3 though the latter would produce the de- sired efted, if it could be obtained in a pure state. TOAD, or Rana Ivfo, L. is the most deformed and hideous of the lower animals. Its body is broad, the back is flat, and covered with a dusky skin marked with pimples ; its large belly appears inflated : on account of the short legs, its mo- tions are slow, and its retreat is filthy. Although the external appear- ance of this ugly creature inspires disgust, and even horror, yet it is asserted that the eyes of toads are remarkably brilliant. Inse6tsofall kinds, and particularly flesh-mag- gots, and winged ants, afford food exceedingly grateful to toads.— Nevertheless, these dreaded ani- mals possess no noxious qualities : on the contrar)', it has lately been asserted, that they furnish the means of curing Cancers, by suc' tion. Mr. Pennant, however, questions their efficacy, and re- marks, " that they seem only to have rendered a horrible complaint more loathsome." Unless preyed upon by owls, buzzards, snakes, &c. the toad at- tains to a considerable age j in- stances having occurred of its liv- ing upwards of 3t) years. For- merly, this animal was supposed to possess virtues b()th medicinal and magical j but the reputed toad- stones, or hufonites, with all their fanciful properties, have long been exploded. TOB To*a&-?laX. See Flax the Toad. TOBACCO-PLANT, the Com- mon, or Nicotiana Talacum, L. is a native of America, where consi- derable quantities are annually raised for exportation ; and also in Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and Malta. There are eight species of this- narcotic plant, but the principal varieties are known under the names of Oronokoe, and Sweet- scented Tobacco : both attain the height of from six to nine feet ; being distinguished only by their deep green leaves j the former of which are longer and narrower than tlrose of the latter. If their culture were not restrided by the legislature (half a pole of ground only being allowed for such pur- pose, in physic-gar dens ; but, if that space be exceeded, the culti- vator is liable to a penalty of lOl. for every rod), they might be propagated from seed, which ouglit to be sown towards the middle of April, in beds of warm, rich, light scttl. In the course of a month, or six weeks, they must be transplanted into similar situa- tions, at the distance of about two feet from each other. Here they should be carefully weeded, and occasionally watered, during dry weather. When the plants arc about two feet high, they shoot forth branches; and, as these draw the nutriment from theleaves, it becomes necessary to top, or nip off the extremity of the stalks, in order to prevent them from attain- ing to a greater height ; and also to remove the young sprouts, which continually shoot forth between the leaves and the stem. — No farther attention will be required, till the leave*