THE EDIBLE FROG. 27 



the lungs are filled by the working of the jaws, or, 

 in other words, that Frogs swallow air much in the 

 same manner that we swallow food. 



Frogs cast their skins at certain periods.— They 

 arrive at full age in about five years, and are sup* 

 posed to live to twelve or fifteen.— ^-Their voice is 

 hoarse and unpleasant. — They are so tenacious of 

 life as to survive even the loss of their head for se- 

 veral hours. 



This species is not so much in request for food as 

 the following, not being so white, nor altogether so 

 palatable. The hind-legs, however, are eaten, and 

 the fore-legs and livers often form an ingredient in 

 the continental soups. 



THE EDIBLE FROG*. 



The Edible Frog is considerably larger than the 

 common species ; and, though somewhat rare in 

 England, is found in plenty in Italy, France, and 

 Germany. 



Its colour is an olive green, distinctly marked 

 with black patches on the back, and on its limbs 

 with transverse bars of the same. From the tip of 

 the nose, three distinct stripes ot pale yellow ex- 

 tend to the extremity of the body, the middle one 

 slightly depressed, and the lateral ones consider- 



* Synonyms. Rana esculenta. Linn. Le Grenouille commune, 

 ou mangeable. La Cepede. Esculent Frog, Green Frog. Shaw. 

 Edible Frog. Penn.—-—Sba%v*s Ctn. Zool. vol. 3. tab. 31. 



