106 OUR REPTILES. 



little painted frog (Discoglossus pidus) is confined 

 to the extreme south, on the shores of the Medi- 

 terranean. The bell frog (Alytes obstetricans) is 

 smaller still, and has a wider distribution, being 

 found principally in the central countries, and is 

 not uncommon in France. The brown frog 

 (Pelobates fuscus), which gives out a strong 

 odour of garlic when touched, is apparently less 

 common, but is found in France, Belgium, and a 

 few other localities. The rough-headed frog 

 (Pelobates cultripes) has only been observed in 

 Spain and the south of France. The red-bellied 

 frog (Bombinator igneus) is found over the tem- 

 perate regions of Europe, in France, Germany, 

 Switzerland, and Russia, passing most of its time 

 in water. Lastly, the common tree frog (Hyla 

 viridis), with the extremities of its toes expanded 

 into a kind of cushion or disk. Except during 

 the spawning season, it is an inhabitant of trees 

 and shrubs. This species is found nearly every- 

 where in Europe except the British islands. It 

 is a small, light green, elegant species, with a 

 loud and musical croak. The seven species just 

 enumerated, with the two more fully described 

 as British, constitute the frog fauna of Europe. 

 Of toads there are but three, and two of these 

 belong to our islands. 



The name of " edible frog" suggests a 



