148 THE BRITISH NATURE BOOK 



The frog, be it noted, changes its colour so much that often people may 

 imagine that they have found a new species ; but the fact is that the frog 

 possesses the power of matching its colour to its surroundings. In water, 

 amidst the rank growth of water plants, it appears greenish yellow ; in a 

 coppice or shrubbery it may be almost red ; whereas in a vivarium, against 

 dark earth, it will become a dark brown. 



2. The Edible Frog, which is generally slightly larger than the foregoing, 

 is an introduction from France, where, as is well known, its legs form a favourite 

 dish. It is increasing in this country. Its colour is greenish, with black 

 markings on the back, and white lines. 



3. The Common Toad (Bufo vulgaris) differs from the frog in having no 

 teeth ; it possesses a dark, warty skin, and conspicuous swellings over the 

 eyes. It is comparatively clumsy and bulky in appearance, and instead of 

 leaping like the frog, generally prefers to crawl. It can jump, however, when 

 necessary, but not so well as the frog, since its hind-legs are shorter. In 

 addition, the hind-feet are only slightly webbed ; and it is not, in consequence, 

 so aquatic in its habits as the frog. Like the Reptiles, all the Amphibians 

 cast their skins periodically ; the toad has the economic habit of rolling its 

 discarded suit into a ball sometimes and swallowing it ! 



4. The Natterjack Toad (Bufo calamita) sometimes locally known as 

 the RUNNING TOAD, because it travels faster than the common species 

 is easily distinguished by the thin yellow line straight down the middle of 

 the back. Its hind-legs are also shorter, and when on the move it attracts 

 notice by its method of raising its body from the ground, as if it were walking 

 on tiptoe. 



Newts often called EFTS or EVVATS are regarded with repulsion by 

 many people, though they are perfectly harmless. The female places each egg 

 in the folded leaf of a water plant ; it hatches in about a fortnight, and the 

 tadpole emerges, to grow to maturity in about a month. It then leaves the 

 water, and does not return for three or four years (though it must be noted 

 that the Great Water Newt is much more aquatic in its habits). Two interesting 

 features should be noted : (i) Newts can breathe through their skins, as well 

 as by means of lungs ; (2) in the breeding season they become much more 

 brilliant in colouring, and the males assume a handsome ornamental crest 

 on back and tail. 



5. Common or Smooth Newt (Lophinus punctatus). About 4 inches long; 

 in colour brownish grey, spotted with black ; under parts yellow, spotted 

 with black. The tail of the male is red underneath, with blue markings ; 

 the female lacks the bluish colour. In the breeding season both sexes grow 

 a " frill," the male's being much the larger. Often the cast skin, exceedingly 

 delicate, like gossamer, may be found in an aquarium where newts are kept. 



6. The Great Water Newt (Triton cristatus) is sometimes 6 inches long ; 

 black above, and yellow spotted, with black below. The skin is covered with 

 little wart-like projections. The female is larger than the male, but lacks the 



