230 COMMON FROG. 



Though this animal is of the most pacific disposition, it 

 is admirably formed for defence, and seems to be almost 

 endowed with immortality. Scarcely any violence can 

 deprive it of life : it will retain the vital principle after it 

 is deprived of the brain, and even of the head. It is re- 

 markable for its longevity ; and, though it is difficult to 

 ascertain its precise duration, there is an instance recorded 

 of one kept in the garden of Lambeth-Palace which 

 was known to have lived above a hundred and twenty 

 years. 



During winter, the tortoise lies torpid in some cavern 

 three or four feet under ground ; and from this state it 

 does not awake till the genial heat of spring returns. Its 

 strength is so considerable, that a child has been known to 

 get on the back of one, without retarding its pace. 



The turtle, or sea-tortoise, is of various species, most of 

 which are highly celebrated in the annals of epicurism. 

 The green turtle, in particular, forms an important article 

 of commerce, and our West-India ships are generally 

 supplied with conveniences for importing it alive; yet 

 whoever wishes to eat the flesh in its highest perfection 

 should make a voyage to its native shores. A common- 

 sized green turtle will weigh two hundred weight, and 

 some have been caught that exceeded eight hundred. 



The turtle seldom quits the sea, except to deposit its 

 eggs in the sand ; which are hatched, in about twenty-five 

 days, by the heat of the sun. The young, as soon as they 

 burst from the sand, guided by instinct, run towards the 

 sea. The Mediterranean furnishes a species of turtle of 

 considerable magnitude ; but, though it is extremely fat, 

 the flesh is coarse and unwholesome. Animals of this 

 kind are sometimes caught on the British shores. 



THE COMMON FROG. 



To describe an animal so well and generally known is 

 needless ; but some of its habits and properties are too 

 interesting to the naturalist to be left wholly unnoticed. 

 Its spring, or power of leaping, compared with its bulk, is 



