THE PLUNK OF THE FROG. 169 



and flora of the old pasture through which it 

 winds. In places springs break out between the 

 gravel and hard clay strata, and send down their 

 limpid waters to increase its store. On hot, 

 dry July and August days crayfish and frogs 

 creep and crawl from its margin up to these 

 springs and rejoice in the coolness of their 

 dripping crystal drops. All nature is glad that 

 such a stream is here, and if nature rejoices 

 over its presence why should not I, at times, 

 wander along its banks and record the doings 

 of some of its lowly denizens. 



Just now I am seated beneath a spreading 

 maple, whose foliage provides a pleasing shade 

 over and about one of the placid pools of the 

 stream. As I approached this pool there was a 

 peculiar peeping cry and a sounding splash as a 

 green or spring frog 1 leaped from the high bank 

 three feet or more into the water. Many times 

 in the days that have gone by, he has doubtless 

 essayed the same leap, knowing by instinct and 

 practice that the yielding water will break the 

 force of his plunge. 



1 Rana clamata Daudia. 



