Rana and Bufo. 



177 



about his native pool. Snakes make him their prey, and he is 

 always in mental fear lest some insidious serpent shall take 

 him unawares, or his musings shall be suddenly cut short by 

 the stately progress of some swan or goose, sailing over the 

 limpid water, or searching the green herbage wherein he sits 

 concealed. 



That he is susceptible of being trained, there can be no 

 question. Man is not always viewed by him as an inveterate 

 enemy, nor does he always dive headlong into the pool when 

 his presence is near. He has been known to cultivate man's 





RANA CLAMATA, OR GREEN FROG. 

 Lusty Croaker of the Summer Pond. 



acquaintance, and to live on friendly terms with him. Some 

 three years ago a tiny frog was taken from a swamp by a 

 friend and placed in a small stream of spring water that 

 passed close to the house where the writer was summering. 

 A dozen times a day the little frog was dipped up by the hand 

 from the bottom of the stream, and forced to endure down 

 the head and back the tenderest caresses. A few insects 

 were then offered as food in conciliation for the liberty 



