6 IN WINTER. 



from the north and west and has never been 

 known to freeze. One eye and a small fraction 

 of the frog's head were visible, but the former 

 was bright, and I was sure that no accident had 

 happened to bring it even so far above the sur- 

 face. I stood very still, expecting much, but it 

 was like watching the hour-hand of a clock. In 

 time the whole head was exposed, then the fore- 

 limbs, and this, for many minutes, was the ex- 

 tent of the frog's activity. I ventured finally to 

 assist, and lifting up the clammy creature, placed 

 it on a floating fence rail, whereon the sun shone 

 as in summer. The frog was happy. Its ex- 

 pression showed this, its pulsing sides proved it, 

 and could I have heard it croak, my own satis- 

 faction would have been complete ; but this it 

 would not do. But let it be remembered, the 

 croaking can not be forced, either in June or 

 January, and the voices of frogs have been heard 

 frequently during the latter month. Even when 

 the winter has been very severe, a typical Janu- 

 ary thaw has led them to give tongue, to croak 

 unmistakably, although in thinner tones than 

 during a summer's night chorus. 



There were hours yet before noon, and my 

 little adventure with the languid frog prompted 

 me to explore the ditch in a rude way. All 

 forms of aquatic life seemed as active as in 

 spring. Fish, salamanders, snakes, turtles, and 



