124 LAKES AND RIVERS. 



the kitchen, and often re-appear at meal-time, fami- 

 liarly seeking for their share of provision. The Edible 

 Frog (jR. esculenta) is larger than the common frog, 

 and is green, with olive-green spots, and light-coloured 

 marks on it. It is much eaten in some parts of 

 France, but in other localities as much despised as an 

 article of food as it is in England ; the flesh is said to 

 resemble that of a chicken. This species is found in 

 a few localities in England, but is supposed not to be 

 indigenous. There is a species of frog called the 

 Scottish Frog (R. Scotica\ mentioned by Bell, which is 

 local. The common Toad (Bufo vulgaris) is an 

 animal of evil repute. This feeling is so ancient and 

 widespread that we cannot but think there is some 

 foundation for it. Yet naturalists, and those who 

 have most considered the subject, generally call it 

 a harmless animal. The toad is inactive and 

 sluggish, yet, according to Mr. Bell, it feeds only on 

 insects which are in motion. Like the frog, its tongue 

 is furnished with a viscous secretion ; remaining 

 quite still, the toad watches for its prey, and when 

 within reach, with the quickness of thought, darts out 

 its tongue, catches the fly, or whatever it may be, and 

 secures it irrevocably. The venom of the toad, if such 

 it be, lies in the thick yellowish mucus which lodges in 

 the pores and warts of its skin : when disturbed, it 

 exudes a considerable amount of this liquid. The 

 toad is said to breathe partially through this porous 

 skin, which is always moist, and this is required for 

 the breathing function, just as in fishes, when the 

 gills are dry, the office of breathing becomes inter- 

 cepted. The colour of the toad is brownish-gray 



