(50 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Large water or bull frog. 



brought to market before the month of June for 

 edible frogs, are supposed to be either common 

 frogs, or sometimes toads. 



The large water, or bull frog, is also edible, 

 having as much meat on them as a young fowl. 

 It frequently measures from the. nose to the hind 

 feet a foot and a half, or upwards. Its color is 

 a dusky olive or brown, marked with numerous 

 dark spots, lighter beneath than above. The 

 external membranes of the ears ^re large, round, 

 and of a brownish red, surrounded by a yellow- 

 ish margin. This species is chiefly found in the 

 interior parts of America, where, at the springs 

 or small rills, they are said to sit in pairs. Kalm, 

 however, says that they frequent only ponds and 

 marshes. In Virginia they are in such abun- 

 dance, that there is scarcely a single spring that 

 has not a pair of them. The inhabitants, who 

 respect them as genii of the fountains, imagine 

 that they purify the water. The women, how- 

 ever, are no friends to them, because they kill 

 and eat young ducks and goslings; and some- 

 times thry carry oiF chickens that venture too 

 near the ponds. 



When suddenly surprised, by a long leap or 

 two they enter their hole, at the bottom of which 

 they lie perfectly secure. A full-grown bull frog 

 will sometimes leap three yards. Kalm relates 

 the following story respecting one of them. The 

 American Indians are known to be excellent 

 runners, being almost able to equal the best horse. 



