 Mrs. Tittlemouse called upon Potter 's keen observation of insects , arachnids , and amphibians , and her youthful experience drawing them . Their depictions in text and illustration reflect her understanding of insect anatomy , colouration , and behaviour ; they are rendered with accuracy , humour , and true to their individual natures – she knew that toads only seek water during the spawning season , for example , and that they can smell honey . The spider and the butterfly are very much like those she drew from microscopic studies in the 1890s . 
