British Amphibians : Toads and Frogs 



and thereafter is more of a terrestrial creature than 

 otherwise. Frogs leave the water occasionally in large 

 numbers, doubtless under certain atmospheric conditions, 

 and abnormal numbers may then be noted in fields and 

 meadows. Such instances no doubt have given rise to 

 the rustic belief in some quarters that the clouds " rain 

 Frogs " sometimes. 



The head of the Frog is triangular in shape. The 

 teeth are arranged in single file, and an irregular row 

 adorns the palate. The tongue lobs at its tip, and 

 when idle this is kept folded back. The third toe of 

 the fore-feet is longest and the second one the shortest. 

 On the hind-legs the fourth toe is longest, and all are 

 webbed. The hind-legs are half as long as the body, 

 and tucked well underneath when in repose. The skin 

 is smooth throughout unless about the thighs, where 

 some few wrinkles appear. 



Yellowish-brown is the predominant colour, with 

 distinct black spots. An elongated patch of brown is 

 over the temples, and a faint line runs down either side 

 of the back. Still, beyond the ground colouring no 

 really definite colours can be given, as Frogs vary con- 

 siderably in this direction, doubtless attributable to 

 their special environments. As a rule, however, Frogs 

 are yellow, with dark markings. A casual glance at 

 the creature as it leaps through the vegetation will 

 confirm this. In a semi-domesticated state the writer 

 has seen Frogs varying in colour from a bright yellow 

 to a warm brown, down to decided black. 



B.R. 73 10 



