THE EDIBLE FROG. 1()7 



France. The brown frog (Pelobates fuscus), which 

 gives out a strong odour of garlic when touched, is 

 apparently less common, but is found in France, 

 Belgium and a few other localities. The rough- 

 headed frog (Pelobates cultripes) has only been 

 observed in Spain and the south of France. The 

 red-bellied frog (Bombinator igneiis) is found over 

 the temperate regions of Europe, in France, Ger- 

 many, Switzerland and Eussia, passing most of its 

 time in water. Lastly the common tree frog (Hyla 

 viridis), with the extremities of its toes expanded 

 into a kind of cushion or disk. Except during the 

 spawning season, it is an inhabitant of trees and 

 shrubs. This species is found nearly everywhere in 

 Europe, except the British Islands. It is a small 

 light green, elegant species, with a loud and musical 

 croak. The seven species just enumerated, with 

 the two more fully described as British, constitute 

 the frog fauna of Europe. Of toads there are but 

 three, and two of these belong to our islands. 



The name of "edible frog" suggests a gastronomic 

 idea not much in favour with Englishmen. To cook 

 and eat frogs was long since regarded, on this side of 

 the Channel, as the privilege only of Frenchman. 

 Kecently we have been relaxing in our prejudices, 

 and both Frenchmen and frogs, seen through a less 

 distorting medium, are being better understood and 

 appreciated. " Fricassee de grenoiiilles" which we 



