THE BULL FROG. 



2 9 



another, instinctively, and thereby prevent the eva- 

 poration of their humidity ; for no water is ever put 

 to them. In Vienna, in the year 1793, there were 

 only three great dealers j by whom most of those 

 persons were supplied who brought them to the 

 market ready for the cook*. 



From their spawning-time being very late in the 

 year, it is supposed that those animals that are 

 brought to market before the month of June for the 

 Edible Frog, are either Common Frogs, or some- 

 times that they are even Toads. 



THE BULL FROGf. 



This is an animal that frequently measures from 

 the nose to the hind-feet a foot and a half, or up- 

 wards. The colour of its body is a dusky olive or 

 brown, marked with numerous dark spots, lighter 

 beneath than above. The external membranes of 

 the ears are large, round, and of a brownish red, 

 surrounded by a yellowish margin. 



The interior parts of America are the principal 

 residence of this species, where, at the springs or 

 small rills, they are said to sit in pairs. In Virginia 

 they are in such abundance that there is scarcely a 



* Townson's Travels, 14. 



+ Synonyms. Rana Catesbeiana. Sba^zv. — Rana oceliata, Linn. ? ? 

 La mugissante, ou Grenouille Taureau. La Cepede. Bull Frog. 

 Catesby Shaw's Gen. Zool. <vd. 3. tab. 33. 



Dr. Shaw is of opinion that Linnaeus has described the Argus Frog 

 of General Zoology under the nam^ of Rana oceliata. 



