260 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



skin runs from eye to hind leg. The femur is shorter than the tibia, 

 which is rather more than half the length of body. The toes are not 

 quite fully webbed, the last joints of all the toes and last two of the 

 fourth toe being free. The color above is greenish-yellow, with golden 

 reflections, spotted with black. The sides of abdomen and hind legs 

 are reddish-orange. The under parts are dull yellowish-green, spotted. 

 While the species of frogs described are those commonly used for 

 food, there seems no valid reason why any of the Ranidw may not be 

 eaten. The small size of some, with possibly a disagreeable odor, has 

 prevented their use up to this time. 



SUGGESTIONS FOR FROG-CULTURE. 



From the foregoing discussion of the development of the frog it will 

 be seen that its culture must be of necessity a matter requiring time, 

 patience, and an appreciation of the animal's habits and needs. So 

 far as can be learned, attempts thus far made in the cultivation of 

 frogs from the egg stage have been arrested at the period when the 

 larva assumes the adult form. From this time the food must be living, 

 and it generally consists almost entirely of insects. The difficulty, 

 approaching impossibility, of furnishing these in sufficient quantity 

 has been the great drawback. The placing about the pond of meat 

 and decaying matter to attract flies has been suggested, but the con- 

 tamination of the water by the poisonous matters of decomposition has 

 counteracted all benefits produced. The frogs, failing in the supply of 

 more natural food, have been comj)elled to devour one another. 



To rear the tadj)ole is comparatively easy. Anyone may obtain a 

 supply of eggs by visiting the stagnant pools in early spring with a 

 dipper and bucket, but this method is said to be less advantageous 

 than the stocking of suitable waters with a sufficient number of pairs 

 of mature frogs. The young can be protected by building a close fence 

 around the edge of the pond to exclude such enemies as raccoons and 

 reptiles, while a screen must be provided so that wading birds, whose 

 long legs furnish them special facilities, can not stand in the water and 

 devour the helpless tadpoles. Any device to be effective nuist be so 

 arranged that there is no room for birds or other animals to stand on 

 shore or in shallow water, either on or under the screen, and at the 

 same time it must allow the young to come to land, for if there is no 

 opportunity for the tadpoles to breathe the air at rest and exercise the 

 legs, the period of metamorphosis will be indefinitely delayed. They 

 have been kept in aquaria for years in the tadpole stage. 



Food during this period is readily provided. If a shallow old pond 

 is chosen, already well stocked with organic matter, it will supply, un 

 aided, food for a large number of frogs. This may be readily increased 

 by supplying animal refuse, liver and such material, care being taken, 

 of course, not to leave a surplus to putrefy and infect the water. The 

 more abundant the food and the warmer the water the more rapid is the 



