158 THE ORNATE LAND-FROG. 



the two centre stripes running nearly the entire length of the body. The hinder part of the 

 thigh is orange-brown, and the under parts are yellowish-white. The length of the head and 

 body is nearly tw6 inches. 



THE celebrated EDIBLE FROG, or GREEN FROG of Europe (Rana esculenta), also belongs to 

 this large genus. This handsome species is common in all the warmer parts of that Continent, 

 but in the vicinity of large cities is seldom seen, except in the ponds where it is preserved, and 

 whence issues a horrid nocturnal concert in the breeding-time. The proprietors of these frog- 

 geries supply the market regularly, and draw out the Frogs with large wooden rakes as they 

 are wanted. In Paris these creatures are sold at a rather high price for the table, and as only 

 the hind-legs are eaten, a dish of Frogs is rather an expensive article of diet. 



It is needful to make a very early visit to the market, four or live A. M. being about 

 the best time, to see the manner in which the Frogs are brought to market. They are gener- 

 ally sold by women, each of whom has by her side two tubs or barrels, one containing living 

 Frogs, and the other having a leather band nailed to the side, in which is stuck a sharp, broad- 

 bladed knife. When the purchaser has bargained for a certain number, the seller plunges her 

 left hand into the one barrel, brings out a Frog by its legs, lays it across the edge of the second 

 barrel, and with a single cut of the knife, severs the hind-legs just above the pelvis, leaving 

 the whole of the body and fore-quarters to fall into the tub. The hind-legs are then carefully 

 skinned, and dressed in various ways, that with white sauce seeming to be the best, at all 

 events according to my own taste. They require considerable cooking, but when properly 

 dressed have a most delicate and peculiar flavor, which has been compared, but not very 

 happily, to the wing of a chicken. I would suggest that a mixture of the smelt and the 

 breast of the spring chicken would convey a good idea of the Edible Frog when cooked. 



Poachers are very apt to invade the froggeries, and without entering the boundaries often 

 contrive to kidnap a goodly number of the inmates by a very curious mode of angling, some- 

 thing like " bobbing " for eels. They get a very long fishing-rod, tie a line of sufficient length 

 to the tip, and at the end of the line they fasten, in place of a hook and bait, a simple piece of 

 scarlet cloth. Thus prepared, they push the rod over the fence, let the scarlet rag just touch 

 the surface of the water, and shake the rod so as to make the rag quiver and jump about. The 

 Frog, thinking that it has found a very savory morsel, leaps at the rag, closes its mouth lirmly 

 upon it, and is neatly tossed out of the water and over the hedge before it can make up its 

 mind to loosen its hold. 



The color of this species is bright green spotted with black, and having three bold yellow 

 stripes along the back. The under parts are yellowish. In size it is rather larger than 

 the common species. 



THE remarkable HORNED FROG is one of the quaintest species among the Frog tribe. 



There are several species belonging to this genus, all inhabiting Southern America, and all 

 notable for the singular development of the upper eyelids, which are prolonged into hard, 

 horn-like points. In the present species the back is furnished with a bony shield, and the 

 prominences over the eyes are bold and well defined. The body is short, stout, and squat, the 

 skin covered with tubercles and folds, and the opening of the mouth enormous. It is a large 

 and voracious species, one specimen when opened being found to have swallowed a full-grown 

 land-Frog (CystignatTius fuscus), belonging to the same genus as our next example. The toes 

 are long, powerful, and with hardly a vestige of web except just at the base. 



THE little ORNATE LAND-FROG affords a remarkable contrast to the last-mentioned species 

 on account of its small dimensions, the activity of its movements, and the beauty of its 

 coloring. 



It is found in Georgia and South Carolina, and is always seen on land and dry spots, 

 its thirsty frame being amply supplied by the dews and casual rains without needing 

 immersion in water. Indeed, this Frog is so little conversant with the element usuaUy so 

 familiar to all its tribe, that if thrown into water, it makes no attempt to swim, but lies 



