ORIGIN OF THE EDIBLE FROG IN ENGLAND. 269 



Although convinced that the Cambridgeshire specimens are 

 of Itahan, and probably relatively ancient origin, still I had no 

 doubt that the specimens found in Norfolk by Prof. Newton in 

 1853 and 1877 would prove to be referable to the true Rana 

 esculenta, in consequence of the importations by Mr. Berney. 

 Wishing to verify this supposition, I applied to Mr. Gurney, who 

 was kind enough to obtain from the authorities of the Norwich 

 Museum the loan of specimens for my examination. I received 

 two adult specimens, presented by Prof. Newton (the ones alluded 

 to in his communication in 1859), which I was rather disappointed 

 to find had been stuffed, and a young one in spirits, presented by 

 Lord Walsingham (Zool. 1877). My astonishment was great to 

 find that these, also, are of the form lessonce. 



It is clear to me, therefore, that all the specimens the capture 

 of which has hitherto been recorded, whether from Cambridge- 

 shire or Norfolk, are not the descendants of those introduced by 

 Mr. Berney, but are of Italian origin. By whom and when they 

 were introduced in this country I cannot venture to suggest. 



I append the following measurements, in millimetres, of all 

 the British specimens which I have examined, and of Italian, 

 French, and Belgian specimens. 



If the French and Belgian imported frogs have survived there 

 will be no difficulty in distinguishing them from their relatives, 

 and 1 hope that we may hear of the capture of specimens for 

 comparison. 



