FROGS. 241 



single bound, a space more than fifty times the 

 length of its own body." 



The food of the Frogs in the tadpole condition 

 consists of decaying vegetable matter, though they 

 do not refuse to prey upon animal substances also. 

 In the adult state they feed on insects, slugs, &c., 

 in the taking of which the tongue is principally 

 employed. This organ, which is soft and fleshy, 

 and covered with a glutinous secretion, is fixed 

 to the inner part of the front of the jaw, so that 

 when at rest its tip points backwards towards 

 the throat. When the Frog takes its prey, the 

 tongue, observes Mr. Martin, " becomes consi- 

 derably elongated, and turns on the pivot of its 

 anterior fixture, being reversed in such a manner 

 that the surface which was undermost when the 

 tongue was lying in a state of repose in the 

 mouth, is now the uppermost, the original posi- 

 tion being regained, when it turns on its pivot 

 back again into the mouth. The rapidity with 

 which the Frog or Toad launches this organ 

 at insects or slugs is extraordinary, insomuch 

 that the eye can scarcely follow the movement ; 

 never is the aim missed ; the prey touched by 

 the tongue adheres firmly, the viscid saliva being 

 very tenacious, and is instantaneously carried to 

 the back of the mouth and swallowed. 



" We have often presented slugs on bits of 

 straw or stick to Toads, and watched with sur- 

 prise the sudden disappearing of the prey, which 

 seemed to vanish from the stick as if by magic." * 



The Frosfs are endued with considerable powers 

 of voice ; their efforts, it is true, are not very 

 musical ; a hoarse guttural croaking is the sound 



* " Pict. Mus. ii." 126. 



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