108 0UR REPTILES. 



should called "preserved frogs-legs," are regularly 

 sold at some of the West-end provision warehouses, 

 packed in air-tight canisters, in the same manner as 

 many other mysterious modern comestibles. It is 

 three or four years since we learnt that "French 

 frogs " had introduced themselves into British com- 

 merce, and we resolved upon testing their edible 

 qualities. One of the canisters referred to was 

 purchased, and by dint of labour opened, and what 

 seemed to be little strips of boiled chicken floated 

 in thin melted butter. We looked at them, and 

 paused — smelt of them and paused again; — at length, 

 with marvellous courage, as we thought, tasted them. 

 At first there seemed some little irresolution on the 

 part of the internal genii, whether they ought not to 

 rebel against the admission of the intruder. But, as 

 the taste was in their favour, down went the frogs. 

 After all, the flavour was very agreeable, if one 

 could only forget for a while their origin and name, 

 and fancy them little stewed rabbits, which they 

 most resemble. 



Mr. F. Buckland, when in Paris, on one occasion, 

 resolved upon a banquet of frogs. 



I went (he says) to the large market in tbe Faubourg St. Ger- 

 main, and inquired for frogs. I was referred to a stately-looking 

 dame at a fish-stall, who produced a box nearly full of them, 

 huddling and crawling about, and occasionally croaking, as 

 though aware of the fate to which they were destined. The 

 price fixed was two a penny, and having ordered the dish to be 



