Batrachian Study 



^93 



Bullfrog. 

 THE FROG 



TeacJier's Story 



HE stroller along brooksides, is likely to be surprised 

 some day, at seeing a bit of moss and earth suddenly 

 make a high leap and a far one, without apparent 

 provocation. An investigation resolves the clump of 

 moss into a brilliantly green and yellow, striped frog, 

 and then the stroller wonders how he could have over- 

 looked such an obvious creature. But the leopard 

 frog is only obvious when it is out of its environment. 

 The common green frog is quite as well protected since its color is exactly 

 that of green pools. Most frogs spend their lives in or about water, and 

 if caught on land, they make great leaps to reach their native element; 

 the leopard frog and a few other species sometimes wander far afield. 



In form, the frog is more slim than the toad, and is not covered with 

 great warts; it is cold and slippery to the touch. The fnjg's only chance 

 of escaping its enemies, is through the slipperiness of its body and by 

 making long, rapid leaps. As a jumper, the frog is much more powerful 

 than the toad because its hind legs are so much larger and more muscular, 

 in comparison with its size. The first toe in the front feet of the leopard 

 frog is much swollen, making a fat thumb ; the mechanics of the hind legs 

 make it possible for the frog to feather the webbed feet as it swims. On 

 the bottom of the toes are hardened places at the joints, and sometimes 

 others besides, which give the foot a strong hold when pushing for the 

 jump. The toe tips, when they are pressed against the glass, resemble 

 slightly the tree-toads' discs. The hind foot is very long, while on the 

 front foot the toes radiate almost in a circle. The foot and leg are 

 colored like the back of the body above, and on the under side resemble 

 the under parts. 



