U THE STUDY OF ANIMAL LIFE 



Among insects there is one considered to be the 

 most wonderful jumper, and, on that account, I 

 presume, we may say it must be the most wonder- 

 ful faller, and that without injury, and more's the 

 pity! Among jumpers, too, we have the Frog, 

 which can do the falling to perfection, and it is 

 done in such a great way. I have by gentle per- 

 suasion got the Frog to give a private exhibition 

 of his jumping and falling powers. The Frog is 

 quite a master in the art of falling. I have tested 

 him on suitable ground, a nice turfy platform to 

 spring from and a nice soft springy bottom to fall 

 upon, a good depth down; how fearlessly the 

 animal launches outwards and downwards. It is 

 so amusing to watch the landing below; it is not 

 all graceful, but it seems very satisfactory to the 

 Frog, just as if he had done one of the few big 

 things he was sent into the world to perform. 

 When it alights, it at once gathers its scattered 

 legs together, draws up its head, and gives 

 a big wink with both eyes. The Frog is un- 

 doubtedly very finely adapted for falling without 

 injury. 



In exhibitions of pole-vaulting, there is skill and 

 practice in falling. Some are seen to drop on the 

 toes, and immediately roll over, just seeking after 

 the circular motion. It is quite common to see 

 actors, when in a play, fall, and, when done 

 properly, they take no harm. When one speaks 



