110 OUR EEFTILES. 



this is considered an infallible cure, and in some 

 eastern counties the disorder itself is known as 

 " the frog." The reptiles in these cases being 

 the common frog, that species would appear to 

 have some little claim also to be regarded as 

 edible ; though, on the other hand, if swallowed 

 alive, how can they be said to have been eaten ? 

 N'importe ! a dead rabbit is better than a live 

 frog, as an esculent, provided it is not too 

 "high." 



Frogs and toads had formerly some reputation 

 in medicine, either wholly or in part ; but all 

 belief in their efficacy is now vested in a few 

 obscure matrons, who prescribe for the rustic 

 population in some out of the way villages in 

 agricultural districts. Sic transit gloria mundi. 



The principal features by which the edible 

 frog may be distinguished from the common 

 frog are : the absence in the former of the 

 conspicuous dark patch, which in the latter 

 extends from the eye to the shoulder the vocal 

 sacs or bladders at the angles of the mouth in 

 the edible frog, which are distended while 

 croaking, and which are absent in the common 

 frog and the light line which runs down the 

 back of the former but which is not seen in the 

 latter. To these may be added the more distinct 

 and beautiful markings in the edible frog, its 

 louder note, and generally larger size. In their 



