CHAPTER X 



AMPHIBIA 



Phylum VERTEBBATA 



Sub-Phylum CBANIATA 



Class AMPHIBIA .... Eana 



THE common frog, Eana temporaries, is widely distributed over 

 the northern hemisphere, and it is common in the British 

 Isles. The edible frog, Eana esculenta, extends from southern 

 England through Europe to the African side of the Mediter- 

 ranean and to Japan. The genus is mainly a northern one, 

 but it is cosmopolitan, and about a hundred species have 

 been described. 



The common frog is common on moors and in damp situa- 

 tions. The adult is terrestrial usually, retiring in habit, 

 avoiding capture by its characteristic jumping so as to gain a 

 place of hiding in the grass. In the winter it hibernates in 

 the soil under roots of shrubs, moss, and the like, or at the 

 bottom of a pond. In the spring it migrates to fresh water 

 for spawning purposes. The floating egg-masses of the species 

 of Eana, Bufo, and other genera, are well known. The young 

 escape from the eggs as tadpoles, pass through a metamorphosis 

 and a period of growth to the adult. Maturity is reached in 

 about three to four years. The first winter may be passed as 

 a tadpole, but usually as a young frog. 



The food, to begin with, is a plant one, but speedily becomes 

 animal, and after metamorphosis may be said to be purely 

 animal. Insects form the main diet, but molluscs, worms, 

 and crustaceans are utilised as well. The food is captured 

 when it is moving, the frog jumping to reach it, at the 



195 



