THE EDIBLE FROG, OR GREEN FROG. 159 



A VERY pretty species of this genus is found in Southern Africa. This is the BANDED 

 FROG, remarkable for the beautiful stripes which adorn its body, and the inordinate 

 length of the second toe of the hind foot. 



This pretty creature is not very plentiful in any one locality, but is spread widely 

 throughout the Cape district and the whole of Southern Africa. It is very active, being 

 a good leaper, and brisk in all its movements. The second toe of the hind foot is trulv 

 remarkable. The whole of the toes are but slightly webbed, and project boldly beyond 

 the connecting membrane ; but the second toe is nearly as long as the whole body, 

 which is longer than in the generality of Frogs. The object of this exceeding develop- 

 ment is not very clear. 



The general color of this species is wood-brown, upon which are drawn six dark 

 streaks, the two centre stripes running nearly the entire length of the body. The hinder 

 part of the thigh is orange-brown, and the under parts are yellowish white. The length 

 of the head and body is nearly two inches. 



BANDED FROQ. Raaa fasciata. 



THE celebrated EDIBLE FROG or GREEN FROG of Europe (Rana esculentd) also belongs 

 to this large genus. This handsome species is common in all the warmer parts of the 

 Continent, but in the vicinity of large cities is seldom seen, except in the ponds where 

 it is preserved, and whence issues a horrid nocturnal concert in the breeding time. 

 The proprietors of these froggeries supply the market regularly, and draw out the 

 Frogs with large wooden rakes as they are wanted. In Paris these creatures are sold 

 at a rather high price for the table, and as only the hind legs are eaten, a dish of Frogs 

 is rather an expensive article of diet. 



It is needful to make a very early visit to the market, four or five A. M. being about the 

 best time, to see the manner in which the Frogs are brought to market. They are 

 generally sold by women, each of whom has by her side two tubs or barrels, one 

 containing living Frogs, and the other having a leather band nailed to the side, in which 

 is stuck a sharp, broad-bladed knife. When the purchaser has bargained for a certain 

 number, the seller plunges her left hand into the one barrel, brings out a Frog by its legs, 

 lays it across the edge of the second barrel, and with a single cut of the knife, severs the 

 hind legs just above the pelvis, leaving the whole of the body and fore-quarters to fall 

 into the tub. The hind legs are then carefully skinned, and dressed in various ways, 

 that with white sauce seeming to be the best, at all events according to my own taste. 

 They require considerable cooking, but when properly dressed have a most delicate and 



