BRITISH AMPHIBIANS 



In due course, as the tadpole develops, the hind pair of 

 legs first make their appearance. Then there is a halt. 

 Later, it will be observed, if a close watch is kept, that the 

 tail shows signs of disappearing. It does not drop off, 

 or wither up, but Nature has provided that it shall become 

 absorbed, and afford sustenance to the little creature in 

 setting up the necessary life-motion to bring forth a 

 second (and front) pair of legs. When these hind 

 legs show themselves, the tail has become a mere pointed 

 stump, and the bull-dog appearance of the head, as well 

 as the fat under parts, have given place to the familiar 

 baby Frog known to all who live in the country (See 

 Figs. 9 to 17). Sometimes the little fellows come to 

 land, for the gills have now disappeared and lungs have 

 been formed, still bearing a remnant tail behind them, 

 but it soon disappears altogether. A capital account of 

 the disappearance of the tail of the Frog is given by 

 P. M. S. in the Glasgow Citizen as follows : — 



" Everyone is conversant with the outward appearance 

 of the Frog in its tadpole phase, but the manner of the 

 metamorphosis which takes place within, as it passes 

 from the minus-forelegs-plus-tail state to the plus- 

 forelegs-minus-tail one, is not so well known. 



" The relatively large amount of reserve protoplasm 

 which is stored in the caudal part, is gradually transferred 

 to the other structures, and especially to the upbuilding 

 of the anterior appendages. 



" The work is in the hands of a most energetic and 



capable company of removal contractors in the form 

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