RANINAE 253 



quite transparent and thin stratum, in this case the turgid 

 epidermis. 



The habits of the Grass-frog are essentially terrestrial. It 

 spends most of its time on land, preferably in damp places, but 

 local fashion permits of a great deal of freedom, as these frogs 

 are sometimes found not only in very wet, naturally irrigated 

 places, but also in the water itself. However, the Grass-frog 

 when pursued rarely takes to the water for safety. It trusts 

 to flight, first by a few long and fast jumps, and then to conceal- 

 ment by squatting down between grass, under leaves ; it 

 rarely creeps into a hole, even if there be one near. The 

 jumps soon become shorter and shorter after a few dozen repeti- 

 tions. It swims well, but cannot climb. The food, which 

 consists chiefly of insects, snails, and worms, must be moving to 

 excite interest ; then the frog, whose favourite position is half 

 squatting, half supported by the arms, erects itself, and, facing 

 the insect, turns round upon its haunches, adjusts its position 

 anew by a shifting of the legs, and betrays its mental agitation 

 by a few rapid movements of the throat. All this time the prey 

 is watched intently until it moves ; then there follows a jump, a 

 flap of the tongue and the insect is seen no more. As a rule 

 these frogs do not crawl, they jump or hop, even whilst stalking, 

 and this takes place at any time of the day ; in fact they are 

 very diurnal, although they become more active towards the 

 evening. When caught they are at first very wild and, like 

 all true frogs, very impetuous, committing acts of astonishing 

 stupidity without any apparent sense or appreciation of distance 

 or height. The captive will not only jump off the table, whilst 

 a toad stops at the edge and looks carefully down, but without 

 hesitation he jumps out of the window, regardless of the height 

 above the ground. This is due to sheer fright ; he loses his 

 head. When at large in his native surroundings, nothing will 

 induce him, although hotly pursued, to commit suicide by 

 jumping down a precipice. But all this wildness calms down 

 wonderfully soon. The captive no longer dashes his head 

 against the glass, he does not struggle or twist when taken up ; 

 on the contrary, he makes himself at home, watches your coming 

 with intense expectation, and without hesitation accepts the 

 proffered mealworm, maggot, butterfly or earthworm ; in short, 

 he shows what a jolly and intelligent fellow he really is. 



