COMMON FROG. 93 



tongue, the pharynx is contracted, and the air forced into 

 the lungs. These organs are of considerable size, lying on 

 each side of the anterior part of the vertebral column ; 

 they consist of large cells separated by the most beauti- 

 fully delicate diaphanous parietes. From this peculiarity 

 in the respiration, it follows that it can only be performed 

 when the mouth is closed; and that if the mouth be 

 gagged open, the animal soon perishes from the cessation 

 of pulmonary respiration. 



The ordinary voice of the Frog is too well known to 

 require particular description. It is termed croaking, and 

 is principally heard during the season of sexual excitement. 

 In the spring every one has heard the neighbourhood of 

 ponds and ditches, where these animals abound, resounding 

 with their loud yet not disagreeable notes. When great 

 numbers are congregated together, the noise heard at a 

 considerable distance is far from being unmusical, and, 

 when associated with the return of the genial season, and 

 the calm of a still mild evening, is far more pleasant and 

 soothing than many a more fashionable and dearly-bought 

 musical entertainment. 



The food of the Frog usually consists of various kinds of 

 insects, and of the small species of slug. So voracious are 

 its habits during the whole of the season at which it feeds, 

 for, like other cold-blooded terrestrial animals, it passes 

 the cold part of the year in entire abstinence, that it 

 might become a most important assistant to the gardener 

 or the farmer in the destruction of those pests of the re- 

 spective objects of their culture which I have just named. 

 It will swallow large coleopterous and other insects whole, 

 and will take several of them at a meal. The quantity of 

 insects and of slugs, indeed, which would be destroyed by 

 encouraging these animals, instead of wantonly and un- 



