THE EDIBLE FROG. 



59 



Boulenger's synopsis of the species is, — Fingers blunt, of 

 moderate length, the first extending a little beyond the second ; 

 toes entirely webbed ; tympanum distinct, two-thirds the size of 

 the eye ; a glandular lateral fold narrower than the upper eyelid ; 

 vomeric teeth ; the upper parts more or less spotted or marbled 

 with black, or a very dark brown ; the hinder sides of the thighs 

 also marbled. 



The male of ./?. escule?ita has a curious inflatable pouch on each 

 side of its head, which is very conspicuous in the breeding 

 season. These prominences, which impart a very grotesque 

 appearance to the frog, are called vocal sacs, and give power to 

 the voice, more power than is quite agreeable in places where 

 Esculenta congregates ; its croak is voted a nuisance by those who 

 dwell within hearing. 



The edible frog of England is somewhat less than its French 

 relatives, which furnish a favourite dish at table. One in America 

 is larger than either. The legs only are eaten, being as big as 

 those of a young chicken, and indeed might be mistaken for such. 

 On the prairies, near Chicago, is a very large frog which is 

 brought to market. At an hotel there I once partook of a fricassee 

 of frogs' legs, asking no questions when the dish was handed to 

 me, but which, on eating, I found to be rather insipid, and 

 remarked to a friend, " What a pity to kill such very young 

 chickens ! " 



Jmx 



Jmx 



Ocl p e 



a 



Fig. 24. — Upper or exterior surface. 



Pe f s Ocl Pt 



Fig. 25. — Lower or interior surface. 



Explanation of Bones of Frog's Skull. 



(Membrane bones of one side removed in each case.) 



Ocl, exoccipital ; Pe, Petrosal (prootic) ; Et, girdle-bone or sphen-ethmoid ; Ty, 



tympanic ; Fp, fronto-parietal ; J , quadrato-jugal ; Mx, maxillar}- ; Jmx, prcemaxillary ; 



N, nasal ; Ps, parasphenoid (from the wedge shape) ; Pt, pterygoid ; PI, palatine ; 



V, vomer. 



