1 78 Life and Immortality. 



taken, which the little frog was only induced to accept after 

 a great deal of persuasion, when he was carefully put back 

 into his watery bath. In the space of a week, the frog had 

 become so attached to his friend, that he would leap into his 

 outstretched hand and take his food without the least dis- 

 trust or fear. Even the voice of the master was recognized 

 by the frog, and, when heard in the distance, was the signal 

 for the strangest behavior. Froggie would leap out of the 

 water upon a bare stretch of earth, peer off in the direction 

 whence the sound came, and there await his master's arrival 

 with restless anxiety. The strongest bond of friendship 

 seemed to unite the two. Not only was the frog able to 

 recognize the voice of his friend, but he knew him in person 

 as well. Repeated efforts were made by the writer to gain 

 the attention and good-will of the frog, but all his advances 

 were received with the utmost indifference. 



While the species which I have just described represents 

 the aquatic Ranidae, the Wood-frog, its near kin, represents 

 a branch of the family which prefers dry situations, except 

 in breeding times, when the eggs must be deposited in water. 

 The Wood-frog is somewhat smaller than the Bull-frog, and 

 is clad in olive-green and brown colors, which are in perfect 

 keeping with the coloration of dead leaves and dry twigs. 

 There is a large black patch on the side of the head around 

 the big ear-drum, which seems still further to distinguish 

 him from his cousin. He is a very shy and suspicious 

 creature, and makes a prodigious jump at the first intima- 

 tion of danger, his leaps being so enormous that it is very 

 difficult to capture him. When upon the ground, he can 

 hardly be discerned from the dry vegetation around. By 

 hiding in damp moss or in decayed logs, and in little hol- 

 lows in the ground, he is enabled to maintain the moisture 

 of his skin. He avoids the sunshine, and keeps close to 

 the earth. 



Another curious Rana is the Tree-frog. He is smaller 

 than any of his cousins, and may be known by his bright 



