530 AMPHIBIA. 



than one or two years, completely excluded from air and desti. 

 tute of food. 



Sixteen genera of these Amphibia have been enumerated, 

 three of which are found in North America. It is worthy of 

 being noted that Frogs were introduced into Ireland from Eng- 

 land, as late as the year 1696, by Dr. Gwythers, a fellow of the 

 University of Dublin, (and we add here that still more recently 

 were snakes imported into that country.) 



The BULL FROG, or Croaker, Rana pipiens, (Lat. chirping,) 

 is peculiar to North America, and found throughout the Union. 

 It is very large, the body being from six to twelve inches long, 

 and a half pound or more in weight. Sometimes they have 

 been known to " measure two feet from one extended extremity 

 to the other." This species are noted for their bull-like bellow, 

 ings, which may be heard to a great distance. They are vora- 

 cious and predatory, devouring insects, fish, and even snakes. 

 Their hind legs are used for food and are " excellent eating." 

 These Frogs are sometimes reared specially for the table. 



The MARSH FROG, R. palustris, (Lat. marshy,) is one of our 

 most beautiful frogs, and extremely active. Length, three 

 inches. 



The EDIBLE, or GREEN FROG, R. esculenta, found in Conti- 

 nental Europe and in parts of Asia and Africa, is essentially 

 aquatic, inhabiting either running or stagnant streams. The 

 croak of the male in the summer months, where the numbers are 

 large, is said to be almost intolerable. The meat of these frogs 

 is described as delicate and well flavored. In Vienna, (Austria.) 

 they are considerably used, being preserved for eating, and fat- 

 tened in " froggeries." 



The WOOD FROG, R. sihatica, (Lat. woody.) is found from 

 Massachusetts to Virginia; it is in length two and a half inches. 

 It may be at once known in the woods by its wonderful and rap- 

 idly repeated leaps, which render its capture very difficult. To 

 this nearly corresponds the Red or Common European Frog, R. 

 temporaria, (Lat. temporary or changeable. ) 



In the West Indies and South America is a species Cystignatlms 

 (Gr. vesicated jaw,) ocellatus, called Bull Frog, and distinguished 

 by the entire absence of a web on the hind feet, Which can clear a 

 wall five feet in height. The palm of the hand is provided with 

 quite large tubercles ; that at the base of the inner finger is the 

 largest of all. The first phalanges are marked beneath by similar 

 tubercles. Small tubercles also appear under the articulations of 

 the first and second phalanges, except under the inner toe. In 



