THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 



well back from the groups, when the foreground and back- 

 ground will blend as in a vista in nature. 



The giant salamander is most frequently encountered in 

 the streams of western Pennsylvania. In this group the 

 river is represented as flowing toward the observer, in or- 

 der to show the nests and eggs under the rocks. Salaman- 

 ders are seen molting, eating crayfish and watching their 

 eggs ; there are also young salamanders. 



Bullfrogs in the next group are seen in a typical lily 

 pond and in the various stages of life from egg to adult. 

 Certain individuals are casting their skins, swimming, 

 breathing under water and in air, croaking and catching 

 insects, birds and snakes. 



Adjoining is a group of lizards as they might be found 

 on a Lower California island. Desert life is pictured in 

 striking contrast to the other groups in this series. 



The last group, that of the toad, represents a typical 

 scene in New England in May. Here have been incor- 

 porated oak, maple, hornbeam, shadbush and tall blueberry 

 trees and shrubs, and pendent from the new leaves are the 

 glistening water drops from a recent rain. The combina- 

 tion of natural specimens with the work of the taxidermist 

 is so perfect that the question arises in the visitor's mind 

 which is the work of nature and which that of the artisan. 



In another part of the hall are specimens illustrating the 

 distinctive habits of some of the animals, for instance, an 

 enlarged model of the bullfrog, showing the peculiar con- 

 struction of its tongue which enables it to catch insects, the 



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