THE FROGS. 



125 



r 



snake about two feet long gliding down into a lank, when 



a gigantic frog hopped up and swallowed its head. The 



snake protested with 



frantic wriggles, but 



the frog continued 



swallowing it down 



an inch or two at each 



gulp until half the 



snake was gone. By 



this time the other 



half became so violent 



that the frog could 



scarcely keep its feet, 



so for greater security 



it turned and plunged into its own element, and I saw it no 



more. Even this was beaten in audacity by a frog from 



whose stomach I, David like, redeemed the whole leg of a 



live chicken. The rest of the chicken was still outside, 



remonstrating clamorously. 



Of frogs for the table I have said nothing, having no 

 experience, for I look upon it as cannibalism to eat them 

 until the question has been finally decided whether we are 

 more immediately descended from them or from monkeys. 



