380 Mr. Jenyns on the Natter-Jack, 



in the water. I agree with the Rev. Revelt Sheppard, {Linn. 

 Trans. Vol. VII. p. 55.) in believing that it undergoes no change, 

 and that it is perfectly distinct from either of the foregoing 

 species. 



Genus VI. RANA. Linn. 



Sp. 8. R. ternporaria, Flem. Brit. Anim. p. 158. 



Common Frog. — This well-known reptile spawns about the 

 middle of March, and the young tadpoles are hatched a month 

 or five weeks afterwards, according to the warmth of the season. 

 By the eighteenth of June, I have observed these to be nearly 

 full-sized, and beginning to acquire their fore-feet: and towards 

 the end of that month or the beginning of the next, (varying in 

 different years,) the young frogs may be seen in great numbers, 

 forsaking the water in which they were bred, and coming on 

 land. 



Genus VII. BUFO. Cuv. 



Sp. 9. B. vulgaris, Flem. Brit. Anim. p. 159. 



Common Toad. — Where this and the preceding species spend 

 the winter does not appear to have been satisfactorily ascertained. 

 It is, however, a curious circumstance, that from the end of 

 February to the beginning or middle of April, they are to be 

 found in countless numbers at the bottoms of all our ditches, 

 ponds, and other stagnant waters. During this interval, which 

 is the period of the breeding season, they keep up a perpetual 

 croaking, and the act of copulation, which lasts several days, is 

 performed. From many years' observations, I find that the Toad 

 is invariably a few days later in spawning than the Frog. In 

 some seasons, this difference has amounted to more than a 

 -fortnight. 



