T H E F R O G. 171 



midity : often the ground is feen perfectly blackened with their numbers, 

 fome fceking for prey, and fome for fecure lurking places. From the 

 myriads that appear on fuch occafions, fome have thought they were ge- 

 nerated in the clouds, and fhowered down on the earth. 



The Frog lives moftly out of water i bur, when the cold nights begin, 

 returns to ftagnant waters, where it can lie concealed at the bottom. Here 

 it continues torpid, or with very little motion, all the winters but fome 

 rcfide in holes in the earth. 



The difference of fexes is not perceivable in thefc animals till their 

 fourth yenr, when they begin to propagate. It is faid they live about 

 twelve or fifteen years : but probably much more. 



Frogs eat infefts of all kinds ; alfo young fnails, young mice, and 

 ducklings; but never, unlefs they have motion. They continue fixed 

 and immovable till their prey appears j when it comes fufficiently near, 

 they jump up or forward, fometimes a foot or two, with great agility, 

 dart out their tongues, and feize it with certainty. The tongue is ex- 

 tremely long (and this length of tongue is drawn our,' like a fword from 

 its fcabbard, to affail its prey). It is furnifhed with a glutinous fiib^ 

 fiance; and whatever inftft it touches infallibly adheres, till drawn into 

 the mouth. 



The Frog is very vivacious, and can bear hunger long. It will live 

 and jump about feveral hours after lofing its head ; will continue aftive, 

 though em.bowelled : nor does the lofs of its heart imply the lofs of 

 motion. 



The croaking of frogs is well known; and from thence, in fome coun- 

 tries, they are diftinguifhed by the ludicrous title of Dutch Nightingales. 

 The large water frogs have a note like the bellowing of a bull, and puff 

 up their cheeks to a furprifing magnitude. The male only croaks ; the 

 female rather growls. The male has a Icfs difagreeable voice, as the 

 call to courtfhip. When they couple, their croaking is in fome places 

 very troublefome, for the whole lake feems vocal, and a thoufand diffon- 

 ant notes perfectly ftun the neighbourhood; alfo, before wet weather, 

 their voices, in full exertion, with unceafing affiduicy welcome the ap- 

 proaches of their favourite moifture. Dry weather is hurtful to their 

 health, and prevents them from getting their prey : they alfo want that 

 grateful humidity which moiitens their Ikin, and renders them alert and 

 active. 



Catesby thinks that in Carolina the Frogs prefer thofe infects" that 

 Ihine in the dark; whether as better pleafing their palate, or as being 



more 



