306 THE VIVARIUM. 
(10) Some Frogs nearly equal the Chameleon in their powers 
of changing colour. ji 
(11) Certain Frogs, in comparison to their size, are able to 
make marvellous leaps, and thus they are enabled to get over the 
ground with considerable rapidity, and also to capture their 
prey. 
The Indian Bull Frog (Rana tiyrina), the largest Frog of 
India, is very common nearly all over that country and in the 
southern parts of China. It may be to this Batrachian that the 
following native proverb has especial reference : “‘ The crow steals 
the grain, and the string is round the leg of the Frog.” The 
custom to which this quaint saying alludes is the tying of a Frog 
by a string toa peg driven into the ground near the spot where 
grain has been spread to dry in the sun, so that the animal, by 
his constant struggles to get free, shall deter the crows and other 
birds from stealing the seed. 
This Frog, like its relative of America, has received its English 
name from its powers of making a noise which bears not a little 
resemblance to the bellowing of a bull. 
The body of R. tigrina sometimes attains a length of 6in. or 
Tin. The lower jaw of the animal has two fairly distinct promi- 
nences in front. The tympanum is plainly visible. The skin on 
the back has some short longitudinal folds; there is also such a 
fold above the tympanum. The hind limbs are comparatively 
short and thick. The toes are webbed, and the outer edge of the 
fifth toe is adorned with a fringe of skin. The male has two 
vocal sacs under the throat. 
The coloration of the animal, like that of so many Frogs, is 
variable ; the following description is given by Mr. Boulenger : 
** Brown or olive above, with dark spots; often a light vertebral 
line.”’ 
The Indian Bull Frog must not be kept in the same Vivarium 
with smaller Batrachians, or it would be very likely tempted to 
eat its companions. It should be provided with a large tank, in 
which it will spend a great part of its time, and some suitable 
hiding-places, such as cork bark or large pieces of damp moss. If 
it is not allowed to hibernate, a small lamp should be placed 
during the cold weather under the vessel containing the water. 
