ANIMALS WHICH SHAM DEATH 21 



when in search of food, pass on to look out for more 

 toothsome morsels. 



When shamming death, these toads contort their 

 bodies in the most remarkable manner, thrusting 

 back their heads as far as possible, raising their fore- 

 limbs with the digits pointing inwards and the elbows 

 outwards, and throwing their hind-legs over on to 

 their backs so that the feet are poised uppermost. 

 In this extraordinary pose they remain motionless 

 until they consider that all danger is past, when 

 they assume once again a normal attitude. 



Amongst frogs, that known as Darwin's frog is 

 an adept at feigning death, although it does not 

 tie itself up into a knot in the manner of the fore- 

 going species, but lies motionless upon its back with 

 its legs stretched out in a limp and lifeless condition. 



Inhabiting Chile, this frog was first discovered 

 by Darwin during his famous voyage in the Beagle. 

 It is a tiny creature, and only attains to a length 

 of about an inch when fully grown ; while its nose 

 is very pointed, and ends in a small fleshy promi- 

 nence. 



Apart from its habit of feigning death, Darwin's 

 frog is remarkable also for the manner in which the 

 male looks after the eggs laid by the female. 

 These are conveyed by the former into his mouth, 

 from whence they pass into his throat-sac which 

 extends for a considerable distance beneath his 

 body, and forms a chamber or pouch wherein the 

 eggs undergo their transformation. In due course 

 the tadpoles, which are without gills, emerge 

 from their parent's pouch and make their way 



