2l6 FAUNA OF SHROPSHIRE. 



hue of the Frog varies with the locality in which it is 

 found that in dark places it is dark, while where the 

 surroundings are light, it also is light coloured. This 

 change is believed to be due to the action of light on the 

 pigment cells, which contract when exposed to a strong 

 light, but expand in the dark. The food of the Frog 

 consists of Slugs, Snails, and Insects, which it captures 

 with its tongue in the manner already mentioned. It 

 has many enemies, amongst which Herons, Snakes, 

 Ducks, and Weasels are probably the most destructive. 

 Like the other Amphibia, it rarely comes abroad except 

 by night. When small it has been known to climb up 

 the trunks of trees in search of insects. The Frog is 

 not only one of the most harmless creatures in existence, 

 but exceedingly useful to the gardener in keeping in 

 check slugs and plant-lice (Aphides), two of his greatest 

 plagues. For this reason it ought to be encouraged in 

 every possible way, instead of being only too often 

 subjected to cruel persecution at the hands of thought- 

 less boys, and even grown-up persons, who ought to 

 known better. The general colour is brownish, with 

 variable dark markings. Length, 3 inches. 



EDIBLE FROG. Eyton in his " Fauna of Shropshire and 

 R. esculenta. North Wales," written in 1836, states 



that this species is found on the Weald 

 Moors. He writes, " During the war some French emi- 

 grants who were at Wellington, were highly delighted at 

 finding the true sort in this locality." The writer has 

 never been there, nor has he received any report from 

 that district, but it would be a very interesting task for 

 any resident there to search now and ascertain if the 

 species still survives. " The principal features by which 



