HABITS OF THE NATTERJACK. 9 



direction. The parts of the shore selected for that purpose are very much 

 saturated with moisture from fresh water exuding from the high land above, and 

 in spots also where this water forms shallow accumulations. During the expul- 

 sion of the spawn the male reptile is placed upon the back of the female, securely 

 fixed, and impregnates the spawn as it passes from her (no pre"i' s union of the 

 sexes having taken place), both animals moving at a moderate speed at the same 

 time, thereby causing the great length of the chain of spawn. The male at this 

 season is provided with a tubercle, or black warty excrescence on the inner side 

 of each thumb, for the purpose of giving him a more secure hold of the female 

 (accounting for the very vulgar and mistaken notion commonly entertained, that 

 the one year Frogs ride upon the backs of the three year Frogs until they are 

 killed). After a short time the tadpoles make their appearance, but they are 

 much smaller than those of the Common Frog, and remain in the water until 

 their metamorphosis is completed, which is generally in the course of a few 

 weeks. During this period a constant croaking is kept up by the male, which is 

 very different from that made by the Common Frog, and which may be heard 

 at a distance of at least five hundred yards ; this is continued till the season is 

 far advanced, and particularly on serene quiet evenings, and before a change of 

 weather ; it is a peculiar kind of harsh croak, not altogether unpleasant. After 

 the change to the perfect animal takes place, the young leave the water and seek 

 protection on the land. At first they confine themselves to rather moist situa- 

 tions, then gradually retire to more dry and gravelly spots, and are found in 

 clusters of fifty or sixty in a place, generally under tufts of grass, so closely 

 impacted together, that it is with great difficulty they can separate themselves. 

 After some time they become stronger, and seek a retired and more solitary 

 situation inland. Their progressive motion is very different from that of the 

 Frog or Toad ; it is not either the quick jump of the former, or the tardy walk 

 of the latter animal, but a wriggling run or shuffling walk. When taking their 

 prey — which generally consists of Earth-worms, Slugs, or different kinds of 

 insects, &c. — if not disturbed, it is interesting to observe the manner in which 

 this is performed. By placing a live Worm a few inches before them, their 

 attention is immediately directed to the object ; fixing themselves in the attitude 

 of a pointer Dog when setting its game, and with a peculiar turn of the head and 

 glance of the eye, they immediately seize the writhing prey, and so instantly is 

 it conveyed into their mouth and swallowed, that it requires the keenest eye to 

 detect their movements. This operation is performed by means of the tongue, 

 which is attached, differently from the same organ in animals in general, to the 

 fore part of the mouth, and in a manner folds back upon itself, terminating at 

 the back part of the mouth. In the winter season it is difficult to meet with these 

 animals, as they retire into holes and cavities inland, under stones and in different 

 vol. m. — no. xvi. c 



