200 OBSERVATIONS ON REPTILES. 



the season. By the 18th of June, I have observed 

 these to be nearly full-sized, and beginning to ac- 

 quire forefeet : and towards the end of that month, 

 or the beginning of the next (varying in different 

 years), the young frogs may be seen in great num- 

 bers, forsaking the water in which they were bred, 

 and coming on land. 



COMMON TOAD.* 



FROM many years' observations, I find that the 

 toad is invariably a few days later in spawning than 

 the frog. In some seasons, this difference has 

 amounted to more than a fortnight. 



Where frogs and toads, at least those in this neigh- 

 bourhood, pass the winter, I have never satisfactorily 

 ascertained. Much mystery seems to me still to 

 hang over this part of their history, notwithstanding 

 the observations of authors. f No sooner is the 



* Bufo vulgaris, Flem. 



t According to Mr. Bell, frogs lie torpid, during winter, " in 

 the mud at the bottom of the water," where they "congregate in 

 multitudes, embracing each other so closely as to appear almost 

 as one continuous mass." (Brit. Rept. p. 89.) The toad, ac- 

 cording to the same naturalist, " chooses for its retreat some re- 

 tired and sheltered hole, a hollow tree, or a space amongst large 

 stones, or some such place, and there remains until the return of 

 spring calls it again into a state of life and activity." (Id. p. 107.) 

 No doubt these statements are true in respect of some particular 

 cases that have been noticed, but, I suspect, are not applicable to 

 all. 



Another naturalist has recorded in The Zoologist (vol. i. p. 

 321) a very curious instance, in which he observed a numerous 



