THE FROG 13 



consists of small insects, their grubs or caterpillars, worms and slugs, 

 which it catches by means of its tongue. The tongue is capable of 

 being shot out suddenly to a considerable distance, and has a sticky 

 extremity to which the prey adheres. During the winter frogs 

 hide away in holes in the ground in order to escape the cold, not only 

 to avoid being frozen, but also because it would be practically 

 impossible for them to obtain food during this part of the year. 

 They pass the time in a torpid state, in almost a lifeless condition, 

 requiring no food and but little air. Such a winter sleep, in which 

 animation is suspended, is met with in a number of different animals, 

 and is spoken of as hibernation. In early spring they awake, and 



V -\. '? 



FIG. i. The common frog. .From Borradaile. 



during February and March are always to be found near water for 

 the purposes of reproduction. The females lay a large number oi 

 eggs which are fertilised by the male, and adhere together in jelly- 

 like masses, the spawn, and are common enough in our ponds and 

 ditches. When laid, the eggs are left absolutely alone, and the 

 young frog or tadpole has to fend for itself During the summer 

 frogs often wander quite considerable distances from water in search 

 of food, but always return again in the succeeding spring. 



The general features of shape and size, the number and 

 arrangement of limbs and openings, etc., that can be made out 

 without resorting to dissection or opening the animal up are spoken 



