NOVEMBER. 273 



Grasping my companion's hand, I leaned over as far as 

 possible and covered the creature with my hand, nor vent- 

 ured to so much as even peep at my prisoner until I 

 reached the house. While my right hand was thus con- 

 verted into a frog-pen, I saw a single Savannah cricket or 

 spring peeper, and this, too, I caught. How aggravating 

 to have seen a third desideratum with both hands in lim- 

 bo ! But I didn't. 



The two little frog-like creatures are in a glass case 

 before me as I write, and a word concerning them before 

 returning to the leafless woods. One is a tree-toad, and 

 has little circular pads on the ends of its toes, by the aid 

 of which it holds on even to the glass. The other has 

 pointed toes, but with some effort, and by always remain- 

 ing in wet spots, it too can hold on to smooth surfaces mar- 

 velously well. The former is the autumn songster ; the 

 other is the earliest of springtide vocalists. The tree-toad 

 is of an unchangeable pale-buff color, the other is green- 

 bronze dashed with old gold, black, and white, and further- 

 more can change its colors from very dark to extremely pale 

 tints. Both are active, and their prominent bright eyes 

 suggest a deal of wisdom, which even long-continued ob- 

 servation fails to detect. Yet they must think ! As I 

 watch them now it is impossible to foretell their actions. 

 They prepare for subsequent movements in so deliberate 

 a manner one can not help thinking they decide in ad- 

 vance upon much that they do. The manner in which 

 the tree-toad followed a house-fly showed a modicum of 

 common sense. Again, there was always a " make-ready, 

 take aim," posing before either gave a leap that was read- 

 ily interpreted. Yet no amount of experience is sufficient 

 to teach a frog the nature of a pane of glass. And at 

 times, as if by accident, they lodge in some comfortable 

 nook, and remain motionless for many minutes. What 

 then, I wonder, is the nature of their thoughts ? 

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