THE BULL-FROG. 15S 



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 horizon- 

 tally 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. 



ANOTHER very common and very pretty Frog is found in North 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 odor. In spite, however, of this seeming draw- 

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

 Frog of Europe. 



The coloring 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, 

 congregating 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, 

 as 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 flavored, and in some places the creat- 

 ure is kept in captivity and fed for table. 



