7V//-; /; \\DED FROO. K-7 



the Ixxly and head lxing at the same linn- much altered. In a -h>rt time they entirely dis- 

 apjf.ir. IK-IIH; drawn into (In- ruvity of the chest, and guarded externally by a kind of gill 

 i'liis is is shown in Figs. 7 and 8. 



< tliT changes are taking place m.-amvlnl.-. .lust In-hind the head two littl.- j>n>ji-< -lions 

 appear through the skin, which s4M>n de\.-l..p into lee-, which, however, are not at all employed 

 for progression, as the tadpole w rifles its way through tin- water with that ijuick undulation 

 of tli.' flat tail which is au familiar to us all. The creature then bears the appearance repre- 

 s.-nt.il in Fie- 10. 



Presently another pair of legs make their ap{x'arunce in front, tin- toil i- gradually 

 absorbed into the body not falling off, according to the popular belief the brunchito vanish, 

 and ttie lungs are developed. Figs. 11 and 12 represent a young Frog in a state absorbing 

 the tail. 



The internal changes are as marvellous as the external. \Vh-n first hatched, the young 

 tadpole is to all intents and purposes a fish, has fish-like bones, fish-like gills, and a heart 

 composed of only two chambers, one auricle and one ventricle. But in proportion to its age, 

 these organs : n ' '' -;'' til m MlificatioJH^ :i Ifaird li:unl-r f..r tin- hearl I- -in- f. .1 in- <l 

 by the exp.m--i.ni of on.- of the large arteries, the vessels of the brunchiii' In-coming gradually 

 suppressed, and tlu-ir place supplied l>y beautifully cellular lungs, formed by a dev-lopin.-nt 

 of certain membranous -vies that ap|x>ar to lx> analogous to the air-bladders of the li-.li.-s. 



The Frog, contracted as are its intellectual powers, is yet susceptible to human inlliience. 

 and can be tamed by kind treatment. Mr. IM1 mentions a curious instance where one of these 

 creatures became so completely dmii.-ii.Mt.-l. that it used to come nightly from a hole in the 

 skirting-boards when- it had established itself, partake of food offered to it by the members of 

 the family, and even jump ujxm the hearth-rug in winter in order to enjoy the warmth of the 

 tire. A favorite cat, which inhabited the same house, took a strange fancy to the Prog, and 

 these seemingly incongruous companions were to be constantly seen sitting together on the 

 hearth-rug, the Frog nestling under the soft warm fur of the cat The Frog was, however, 

 more than a year an inmate of the house tefore it became domesticated, and for many months 

 would retreat to its stronghold when approached. 



Stories of so-called "showers of Frogs" are often seen in the papers, and as a general 

 rule up- little to be credited, the solution of the supposed phenomenon being merely that a 

 shower of rain has induced the creatures to com.- simultaneously from their retreats. There 

 are, however, instances \\li.-iv credible s|x>ctators have seen them fall, and in such cases the 

 little creatures were prolwibly sucked up by a waters|>out, or even by a brisk whirlwind, 

 together with the water in which they were disporting, carried away for some distance, and at 

 last dropped on the ground, as is sometimes the case with sticks, stones, and leaves, picked 

 up by a {Kissing whirlwind. 



The general color of the common Frog is greenish-yellow, or brown, the same individual 

 often passing through all thesecolors in a few days. A long patch of blackish-brown or warm 

 brown is placed behind each of the eyes, and it is yellowish-white below. There are no teeth 

 in the lower jaw, and only a single row of very tiny teeth in the upper jaw and on the palate. 

 The ordinary length of the Frog is rather less than three inches, and the total length of the 

 hinder leg is about four inches. 



A VERT pretty species of this genus is found in Southern Africa. This is the BANDED 

 FBOO, remarkable for the beautiful stri[>es which adorn its body, and the inordinate length of 

 the second to*- of the hind-foot. 



This pretty creature is not very plentiful in any one locality, but is spread widely through- 

 out the Cape district and the whole of Southern Africa. It Is very active. U-ing a good leaper, 

 and brisk in all its movements. The second toe of the hind-foot is truly remarkable. The 

 whole of the toes are but slightly webbed, and project boldly beyond the connecting mem- 

 brane : but the second toe is nearly as long as the whole body, which is longer than in the 

 generality of Frogs. The object of this exceeding development is not very clear. 



The general color of this species is wood-brown, upon which are drawn six dark streaks, 



