Chapter XIII Aquatic Amphibians 



THE Amphibians the frogs, toads, 

 newts and salamanders occupy an inter- 

 mediate position between the Fish and 

 the Reptiles. With very few exceptions 

 all are very fishlike in their infancy, 

 when they are dependent upon water, 

 taking in the necessary oxygen by means 

 of gills. Once past the gill stage the 

 majority may be relied upon to find a 

 living ashore. The group is of little 

 economic importance, but its members 

 engage in a ceaseless warfare against 

 insects, thus playing a part in the balance 

 of Nature. 



Amphibian tadpoles may be found in 



mountain streams, rivers, ponds, and 



subterranean pools, and may come into 



the world from gelatinous strings, floating 



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