British Reptiles and Amphibians 



encased in chambers. The gills are gradually absorbed, 

 only a small aperture being left, through which the 

 water entering the mouth is ejected. When about five 

 weeks old the hind-legs are formed, and these gradually 

 increase in length, size, and usefulness. The lungs, 

 evolved via the gullet, come into action practically with 

 the growth of the hind-legs. Once they are working in 

 unison, the Tadpole gains the surface of the water, and 

 breathes the air direct. In the interval the fore- legs 

 have been forming underneath the skin, and these now 

 protrude. A day or two afterwards the Tadpole tail 

 disappears, the mouth widens, the tongue visibly 

 enlarges, and the eyes break through the skin. These 

 eyes are large and bright, and surrounded by a faint 

 yellow circle. This brilliancy of the eyes continues 

 throughout the days of the Frog, and is one of the 

 many attractive features in the adult animal. 



It is after the fore-legs become active members that 

 the Tadpole leaves off feeding on vegetable matter, and 

 becomes exclusively a carnivorous animal. Once the 

 Tadpole can paddle through a pool of water with its four 

 limbs, it becomes a cannibal. Field or pond life is ever 

 a battle-field — a Rob-Roy country — a simple question 

 of the survival of the fittest. Tadpoles themselves 

 annually die in thousands in every ditch, a prey to a 

 stronger rival. When the Tadpole reaches the car- 

 nivorous stage, it does not scruple to slay and swallow 

 its miniature brother. 



Having attained the adult stage, it leaves the water 



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