FIRE FROG. 117 



ever equalling even the tree frog in size, and is a 

 native of Germany, Italy, and many other parts 

 of Europe, but is not found in England. Its co- 

 lour on the upper parts is a dull olive brown ; the 

 skin being marked with large and small tubercles; 

 round the edges of the mouth is placed a row of 

 blackish streaks or perpendicular spots. The un- 

 der parts both of the body and limbs are orange- 

 coloured, spotted or variegated with irregular 

 markings of dull blue. It is from the colour of 

 the under surface that this species has obtained its 

 title of Bufo igneus, Fire Frog, &c. The colour, 

 however, as in most others of the genus, is liable 

 to vary considerably, being sometimes much less 

 brilliant. This animal may be considered rather 

 as an aquatic than terrestrial species ; being rarely 

 found on land, but chiefly inhabiting turbid stag- 

 nant waters, in which, in the month of June, it 

 deposits its spawn, the ova being much larger in 

 proportion than in most others of the genus. The 

 tadpoles are hatched towards the end of June, and 

 are of a pale yellowish-brown colour ; and when 

 young are often observed to hang from the sur- 

 face of leaves, &c. by a glutinous thread proceed- 

 ing from the small tube or sucker beneath the 

 lower lip. They arrive at their full size towards 

 the close of September, and at that period are re- 

 markable for the fleshy or muscular appearance of 

 the tail, which is stronger in proportion than in 

 most other tadpoles. About the beginning of 

 October they assume their complete or ultimate 



