83 RANID.E. 



large cells separated by the most beautifully delicate diapha- 

 nous parietes. From this peculiarity in the respiration, it 

 follows that it can only be performed when the mouth is 

 closed ; and that if the mouth be gagged open, the animal 

 soon perishes from the cessation of pulmonary respiration. 



The ordinary voice of the Frog is too well known to 

 require particular description. It is termed croaking, and is 

 principally heard during the season of sexual excitement. In 

 the spring every one has heard the neighbourhood of ponds 

 and ditches, where these animals abound, resounding with 

 their loud yet not disagreeable notes. When great numbers 

 are congregated together, the noises heard at a considerable 

 distance is far from being unmusical, and, when associated 

 with the return of the genial season, and the calm of a still 

 mild evening, is far more pleasant and soothing than many 

 a more fashionable and dearly-bought musical entertainment. 



The food of the Frog usually consists of various kinds of 

 insects, and of the small species of slug. So voracious are 

 its habits during the whole of the season at which it feeds, — 

 for, like other cold-blooded terrestrial animals, it passes the 

 cold part of the year in entire abstinence, — that it might 

 become a most important assistant to the gardener or the 

 farmer in the destruction of those pests of the respective objects 

 of their culture which I have just named. It will swallow 

 large coleopterous and other insects whole, and will take 

 several of them at a meal. The quantity of insects and of 

 slugs, indeed, which would be destroyed by encouraging 

 these animals, instead of wantonly and unnecessarily perse- 

 cuting and killing them, w^ould be advantageous to a much 

 greater extent than could at first sight be believed. This 

 consideration ought surely to weigh even with those who are 

 inaccessible to the appeals of humanity, in favour of this in- 

 nocent and much-persecuted race. 



The manner in which the Frog takes its food is very inter- 



