206 FAUNA OF SHROPSHIRE. 



the adult carnivorous animal. The skin in Amphibians is 

 soft, and devoid of scales : the outer skin (epidermis), is 

 colourless, and is cast usually entire, from time to time. The 

 skin plays an important part in the economy of these animals, 

 for through it, and the numerous glands on its surface, they 

 absorb the large amount of water that is indispensable 

 to their existence. They never drink through the mouth. 

 The skin also acts as an additional lung, or gill, in the 

 function of respiration. Unlike true reptiles the Amphibia 

 are never found in hot dry situations. It is true that Frogs 

 may sometimes be found sitting in the sun and enjoying the 

 warmth, but this is always close to water, to which they 

 retreat as soon as the skin begins to parch. As a general 

 rule they do not come abroad by day at all, unless the 

 weather is wet ; and prolonged drought is fatal to them. 

 They bury themselves in the earth and remain torpid through 

 the winter. There are several peculiarities in the skeletons of 

 Amphibians. The number of vertebrae is smaller than in the 

 Reptiles in Frogs and Toads there are only seven or 

 eight and there are no ribs. In all other animals that breathe 

 by means of lungs, the ribs play an important part in the 

 act of drawing in and expelling the breath. The Amphibians, 

 having no ribs, are unable to breathe in the ordinary way, 

 and take in air in great gulps, closing the lips tightly each 

 time in order to retain it. So impossible is it for them to 

 breathe without thus holding in the air, that they soon die 

 if the mouth is wedged open. Teeth, if present, are generally 

 found in the roof of the mouth ; they are simple and 

 pointed, and are used for prehension only ; never for mastica- 

 tion. The tongue is very peculiar ; it is soft and, in most 

 cases, slightly notched at the point, and the root is fixed 

 only just inside the lower jaw. When at rest the point is 



