THE BULL-FBOG. 155 



centre of azure-blue, and look like two little targets on the side of the head. The eyes 

 are very large, of a beautiful golden lustre, and with a bold black streak drawn horizontally 

 through their centre. The legs are exceedingly long in proportion to the size of the body, 

 being five inches in length, whereas the body measures scarcely three inches. This length 

 of limb and lightness of body adds greatly to the leaping powers, for which this creature 

 is so celebrated. 



ANOTHEK very common and very pretty Frog is found in Northern America. This is 

 the PICKEREL-FROG, so called because it enjoys a sad pre-eminence among anglers as a 

 bait for pike, too fortunate if it can be snapped up at once by the voracious fish, instead 

 of dangling for a season in mid-water, with a hook delicately inserted under its skin so 

 as to keep it lively as long as possible, and prevent it from losing by death its attractive 

 appearance. 



It is mostly found in or near the salt marshes, and is remarkable for possessing a 

 powerful and extremely disagreeable odour. In spite, however, of this seeming drawback, 

 its flesh is said to be very delicate, and to be quite as good as that of the edible Frog 

 of Europe. 



The colouring of this species is very striking, on account of its irregularly squared 

 aspect. The ground tint is pale brown above, covered with moderately large square 

 spots of dark brown arranged like the stones of a tesselated pavement, and producing a 

 somewhat regular pattern. A bright yellow line, not raised above the general surface, 

 runs from behind each eye, and the under parts are yellowish white. It is quite a little 

 Frog, being under three inches in length. 



UPON the accompanying illustration is presented a figure of the celebrated BULL-FROG 

 of America, one of the largest and most conspicuous of its kind. 



This enormous batrachian is perhaps the best swimmer among the Frog race, having 

 been known to live for several years in water without any support for its feet. It leads a 

 solitary life for the greater part of its existence, living in a hole near the water, and 

 seldom leaving its domicile by day unless when suddenly alarmed. If frightened by an 

 unknown sound or sight, the Bull-Frog leaps at once into the water, and instead of diving 

 to the bottom immediately, skims along the surface for a few yards before it disappears. 



During the breeding-season, these huge Frogs assemble together in great multitudes, 

 cengregating to the amount of four or five hundred in some pool or marsh, sitting with 

 their bodies half submerged, and making night hideous with their horrid bellowing 

 cries. Few persons, except those who have had personal experience, and who have lost 

 night after night of needful sleep by the ceaseless noise, can imagine the loudness of 

 voice and variety of tone possessed by the different species of Frogs. And travellers 

 who lie awake at night, unwilling hearers of the nocturnal concerts, are disposed to envy 

 the happy ignorance of those whose calmer lot is cast in countries where the drummings, 

 bellowings, chatterings, and pipings of the Frog race are practically unknown. Among 

 these nightly musicians the Bull-Frog is the loudest and most pertinacious ; mostly 

 remaining quiet by day, but sometimes exulting in a black cloud or a heavy shower, and 

 raising its horrid din even in the hours of daylight. 



It is a most voracious creature, feeding mostly on snails and similar prey, which it 

 catches on its nocturnal excursions from its domicile, but often devouring animals of a 

 larger size, such as crayfish, two of which crustaceans have been found in the stomach of 

 a single Bull-Frog, and even gobbling down an occasional chicken or duckling. Taking 

 advantage of its voracity, the inhabitants of the country are in the habit of catching it 

 by means of a rod and line. The hook is generally baited with an insect, and gently 

 drawn along the ground near the Frog, which leaps upon it, seizes it, and is hooked 

 without difficulty. It is rather curious that the Frog will not touch the insect as long as 

 it is allowed to rest quietly on the ground, but as soon as the line is pulled, so as to make 

 the insect move, it is at once pounced upon. Our English Frogs and toads have the 

 same custom. 



The flesh of the Bull-Frog is very delicately flavoured, and in some places the creature 

 is kept in captivity and fed for table. 



