THE EDIBLE 



with the head lifted up, the body raised in front and supported 

 upon the fore feet, the attitude is more that of an animal of higher 

 organisation than a humble Batrachian. Frogs feed on larvae, 

 aquatic insects, worms, and small molluscs. They select their prey 

 from living and moving creatures, for which they watch, and, when 



Fig. 4. The Edible Frog. 



within proper distance, they spring on them with extraordinary rapidity. 

 A large Indian species (R. tigrina) has been seen to prey occasionally 

 upon young sparrows. Far from being dumb, like many oviparous 

 quadrupeds, frogs have the gift of voice. The females only produce 

 a peculiar low note, caused by the air which vibrates in the interior 

 of two vocal pouches placed on the sides of the neck ; but the cry 

 of the male is sonorous, and heard at a great distance : it is a croak 

 which the Greek poet Aristophanes endeavoured to imitate by the 



