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710 REPTILIA— FROG. 



This animal is found in India, particularly the isle of Ceylon ; and like- 

 wise in South America. Its habits are in a great measure unknown ; but it 

 feeds on earthworms, beetles, and various insects ; it is particularly fond of 

 devouring ants, which in numberless legions often destroy all before them, 

 leaving every thing desolate as if destroyed by fire. Having the power of 

 advancing or withdrawing itself without injury, in consequence of its struc- 

 ture, this serpent is peculiarly fitted for penetrating into the subterraneous 

 retreats of ants, worms, and other insects ; and is able to dig deeper than 

 any other serpent, its skin being very hard, and its muscles very strong. 

 The amphisbaena is not venomous. 



ORDER IV.-B ATR ACHIA. 



Reptiles of this order have a heart with one auricle ; body covered with a 

 naked skin; lungs two when mature, but with bronchiae like fishes in their 

 early stage. 



THE FROG.' 



If we examine this animal internally, we shall find that it has very little 

 brain for its size; a very wide swallow; a stomach seemingly small, but 

 capable of great distention. The heart in the frog, as in all other animals 

 that are truly amphibious, has but one ventricle ; so that the blood can cir- 

 culate without the assistance of the lungs, while it keeps under water. The 

 lungs resemble a number of small bladders joined together, like the cells of 

 a honey-comb; they are connected to the back by muscles, and can be dis- 

 tended or exhausted at the animal's pleasure. Neither male nor female have 

 any of the external instruments of generation ; the anus serving for that 

 purpose in both. Such are the most striking peculiarities in the anatomy 

 of a frog ; and in these it agrees with the toad, the lizard, and the serpent. 



' The characteristics of the genus Rana, or frog, arc a body slender ; hind feet very long, 

 muscular, and completely palmated ; skin smooth; upper jaw furnished with a row of 

 small teeth and an interrupted transverse one in the middle of the palate; males with a 

 thin membrane under the ear, which is inflated with air when they cry. 



