THE COMMON FROG. 57 



with a pair of pincers, devoted entirely to Batrachian uses, I 

 gently pushed away the aggressor, the pincers barely touching its 

 snout. Instantly it leaped all over the cage, dashing at its snout 

 with its hand as if to push away something hurtful. It seemed 

 really distressed, not possibly by any wound, but there must have 

 been some sort of shock to its sensitive skin. So I gave Froggie 

 a bath, holding it head downwards to wash away the injury, and 

 the dip and a subsequent swim had the desired effect. To see 

 a frog swim is to take a first-class lesson. The regularity with 

 which they strike out, and the space gained at each stroke, would 

 rival the most adept human swimmer. 



One word about climbing. Their first home was a deep glass 

 jar with so narrow a mouth that I thought a cover unnecessary. 

 Froggies, however, got out. Then I placed a green spray over 

 the top which must baffle the most skilful leaper, and still they 

 got out. After a time they were found climbing at various 

 heights, clinging like flies to the sides of the jar. By means of 

 suctorial discs on their fingers and toes they manage this ; with 

 much perseverance ascending the smooth glass. Up walls and 

 rough surfaces it is easier but those who have pet frogs must be 

 on their guard to secure them. A zinc lid was at last provided. 

 Afterwards they lived in a large glass bowl, and they got so 

 accustomed to their home that they did not attempt to escape 

 when the lid was removed ; not even when the bowl was placed 

 on its side on the floor, which I often did at night for them to 

 get out and forage for food. Only one or 'two more enterprising 

 took advantage of the privilege, and these grew much faster than 

 those who remained at home fasting all night. 



In catching prey it is not a recognition of kind that guides the 

 Batrachian, but an instinct to seize upon a moving object. They 

 pounce upon some small thing, a leaf or twig that may be moving, 

 while, a real dainty if quiescent remains unnoticed. On one 

 occasion a very thin stream of water was trickling slowly towards 

 Froggin, who watched it coming, and made a dash at it, thinking 

 it was a worm, and then turned away disconcerted. It is said 

 that the first living thing a tadpole swallows is a fellow-creature 

 smaller than itself. They swarm in all sizes, luckily supplying 

 food for a wide circle of larger creatures, and yet they abound. 

 Frogs are abundant throughout England and Scotland, and have 

 been introduced into Ireland. They are in themselves perfectly 

 harmless, while of vast use in consuming for food the pests of 

 vegetation ; and at the same time being a food staple for many 

 birds, fishes, and larger reptiles. 



