BRITISH AMPHIBIANS 
Anglicised from the Saxon word “ Efete,” thus=an 
‘“‘ Efete,” an ‘‘ Ewfte,” an “ Ewt,” a “ Newt.” 
Of the belief still rife that pains in the stomach may be 
caused by the afflicted person having swallowed the egg 
of a Newt, and of cattle being made ill from a like cause, 
mention need only be made as showing how natural 
history is misunderstood and misinterpreted by the 
masses who know little, and care less, about the wonders 
of life. These silly superstitions and beliefs still obtain, 
but may be dismissed as being equally ridiculous with 
the Crocodile that sheds tears. 
ORDER ECAUDATA, FAMILY RANIDA 
Common Frog. — Rana temporia (Figs. 9 to 18). This 
familiar creature is known to country dwellers in its 
various stages of existence from egg to tadpole, and from 
tadpole to the perfect little amphibian. In spite, how- 
ever, of the wonderful life-cycle being performed, as it 
were, before our own eyes, one is bound to admit that 
it is this very familiarity that breeds contempt. The 
Frog’s general unpopularity is, nevertheless, difficult to 
explain, for lovers of wild nature should be able to 
appreciate the lower as well as the higher forms of 
creation, and to judge each accordingly. The bird 
which sings from the elm-tree top, perchance that master- 
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