obstetrical toad

obstetrical toad
    n 1: European toad whose male carries the fertilized eggs
         wrapped around its hind legs until they hatch [syn:
         {obstetrical toad}, {midwife toad}, {Alytes obstetricans}]
    

Obstetric \Ob*stet"ric\ ([o^]b*st[e^]t"r[i^]k), Obstetrical
\Ob*stet"ric*al\ ([o^]b*st[e^]t"r[i^]*kal), a. [L. obstetricius,
   fr. obstetrix, -icis, a midwife, fr. obstare to stand before:
   cf. F. obst['e]trique. See {Obstacle}.]
   1. Of or pertaining to childbirth, midwifery, or the period
      around the time of the birth of children; as, the
      obstetric art.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Of or pertaining to obstetrics; as, the obstetric unit of
      a hospital.
      [PJC]

   {Obstetrical toad} (Zool.), a European toad of the genus
      {Alytes}, especially {Alytes obstetricans}. The eggs are
      laid in a string which the male winds around his legs, and
      carries about until the young are hatched.
      [1913 Webster]
    

Toad \Toad\, n. [OE. tode, tade, AS. t[=a]die, t[=a]dige; of
   unknown origin. Cf. {Tadpole}.] (Zool.)
   Any one of numerous species of batrachians belonging to the
   genus {Bufo} and allied genera, especially those of the
   family {Bufonidae}. Toads are generally terrestrial in their
   habits except during the breeding season, when they seek the
   water. Most of the species burrow beneath the earth in the
   daytime and come forth to feed on insects at night. Most
   toads have a rough, warty skin in which are glands that
   secrete an acrid fluid.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: The common toad ({Bufo vulgaris}) and the natterjack
         are familiar European species. The common American toad
         ({Bufo lentiginosus}) is similar to the European toad,
         but is less warty and is more active, moving chiefly by
         leaping.
         [1913 Webster]

   {Obstetrical toad}. (Zool.) See under {Obstetrical}.

   {Surinam toad}. (Zool.) See {Pita}.

   {Toad lizard} (Zool.), a horned toad.

   {Toad pipe} (Bot.), a hollow-stemmed plant ({Equisetum
      limosum}) growing in muddy places. --Dr. Prior.

   {Toad rush} (Bot.), a low-growing kind of rush ({Juncus
      bufonius}).

   {Toad snatcher} (Zool.), the reed bunting. [Prov. Eng.]

   {Toad spittle}. (Zool.) See {Cuckoo spit}, under {Cuckoo}.

   {Tree toad}. (Zool.) See under {Tree}.
      [1913 Webster]