THE FRESH WATERS 175 



there, wriggling farther in when disturbed. 

 They take four years to reach their full size, 

 and then, within a few weeks, they undergo the 

 change to the adult form. 



The River Lamprey, which is still abundant 

 in the Severn and some other English rivers, 

 grows larger, and usually spends a part of its life 

 in the sea. It used to be considered a table 

 delicacy, and it was from the effects of too hearty 

 a meal of these lampreys that Henry 1 1. is said to 

 have died. They are still caught in considerable 

 numbers, but are chiefly used for bait. There is 

 a still larger Sea Lamprey, that spawns in rivers. 



FROM WATER TO LAND 



We shall find an instance of animals that 

 seem to be on their way from fresh water to 

 terrestrial life in a very familiar group the 

 frogs and toads, with their more distant cousins, 

 the newts and salamanders. 



We need not go over the life-history of the 

 frogs and toads, because any of us can watch 

 it for ourselves, and it is very much better to 

 see things than to read about them if it is 

 possible. We have only to listen for the 

 croaking of the frogs in March or April, then 



