98 TJie Irish Naturalist. 



conceding their probably larger numbers in former times, we 

 must, at the same time, remember that the dripping forests 

 and woodlands which, so late as Spenser's time, i.e., about 1600, 

 and later, as may be seen from maps, covered vast tracts of 

 Ireland, would shelter the slimy victim from his winged foe, 

 and aid his secure peregrinations. 



So, if it is not an indigenous animal it had everything in 

 favour of its rapid multiplication. Further, we may take into 

 account the well ascertained and acknowledged phenomenon 

 of the extraordinarily rapid multiplication of newly-introduced 

 creatures in a suitable habitat. 



In explanation of the difficulty which militates against Dr. 

 Scharff's contention, arising out of the modern character of the 

 Gaelic name for the Frog, he suggests that some more general 

 term might have been used for an obscure animal which was not 

 of use to man, etc. But I believe it is a remarkable fact, and has 

 been frequentty commented upon, that the Irish vocabulary 

 is surprisingly rich in special and significant names of every 

 sort of natural object ; and that a considerable number of birds 

 and plants were well recognised by specific names at a very 

 early date in Ireland, so much so as to challenge the surprise 

 of investigators, more than one of whom have pointed out that, 

 notwithstanding the rude conditions of their existence, the 

 Irish showed a keen perception of natural phenomena, and 

 seized upon the characteristic features of any natural object 

 with peculiar quickness. The very fact that any animal like a 

 Frog was, as Dr. Scharff points out, looked upon as uncanny, 

 even if not poisonous, would have rivetted attention to it, and 

 secured it a place in the vocabulary if at all known. The 

 caterpillars of Sphinx moths were noted, named, and a mass of 

 fables were invented for them, as well as for the Newt or " De- 

 licaluchre," as it is called. The " Dordeil " or uncanny-looking 

 beetle Ocypus olcns was also well known, sadly slandered, 

 and cruelly ill-treated. I will not multiply instances, but end 

 by asking whether there is any instance known of the common 

 Frog inhabiting any country so suitable for its habitat and 

 multiplication as Ireland, and being able nevertheless for 

 centuries to exist in such small numbers, or under such cir- 

 cumstances as to escape the notice of intelligent inhabitants ? 



