4)3 THE FISUKS OF BAXFFSUIRE. 



whicli the animal preys upon auil devours. It is enough, however, to show 

 its epicurean propensities. The Cod is extensively fished for along this part 

 of tlie coast, and may be termed the poor man's salmon. Great numbers are 

 salted and dried, and in that state, sent to the southern markets. I have 

 occasionally met with a Cod of a red colour, in all save the fins, which are 

 generally of a yellowish tinge, and never larger than a common sized Had- 

 dock. They are known here by the name of ' Rock Codlings.' Perhaps this 

 may be but one of the many vaiieties of the species already named. 



(To he continued.) 



NOTES ON THE FROG. {RANA TEMPORARIA.) 



BY JOHN DIXON, ESQ. 



(Concluded from page S.J 



On the 7th of last July, I found Frogs near the summit of Ingleborough, 

 2364 feet above the level of the sea. The weather had been wet for some 

 time previous, and no doubt food in plenty Avas to be had even at this 

 elevation. The froth enveloping the larvae of the frog-hopper,* called here 

 cuckoo-spit and frog-spit, was very abundant particularly on the two common- 

 est plants in flower, woodruf and tormentil. 



I love to ramble amid these solitaiy scenes of wild grandeur, when still- 

 ness reigns unbroken, save by the bleating sheep or curlew's plaintive note. 



When a ft-og is closely pursued, it often ejects a considerable quantity of 

 water, either to lighten itself or what is more probable from fear. Professor 

 Bell f states this water to be perfectly limpid and pure, and secreted in a 

 sac or vessel, where it is kept in store for the purpose of supplying moisture 

 to the skin, in aid of cutaneous respiration. A Frog, in the course of a few 

 hours, will sometimes absorb its own weight of water. Moisture seems ab- 

 solutely requisite for maintaining them in a perfectly healthy state ; hence it 

 probably arises, that their seeming scarceness in dry weather, is to be ac- 

 counted for by the fact of their keeping more closely to water during such 

 seasons. Around the mai-gins of ponds we may often see scores basking 

 with their heads just out of water ; not, I think — as some have supposed — 

 for the purpose of catching insects;]:; when disturbed, they plunge to the 

 bottom and bury themselves in the mud with singular adroitness; if however 



• Tettigonia spumaria, Oliver. Cicada spumaria. This little insect is called, in Yorkshire, a " brock," 

 and from its ciuious habit, the old adage is derived of " sweating like a brock." This name is also applied 

 to the badger. 



f History of British Reptiles. 



i Jesse's Gleanings in Natural History, second eeriee, p. 118. 



