ORDER BATRACHIA. 445 



ments, being by far the most lively of all known frogs, and 

 it is extremely difficult to catch it again after it has once 

 made its escape. It croaks continually in an insupportable 

 manner, and never removes far from the shore ; when one 

 attempts to seize it, it shoots into the water, uttering a sharp 

 cry. 



The rana pipiens is one of the largest species of the genus, 

 being three or four inches broad, and six or eight in length, 

 without taking in the feet ; when it is measured with the 

 limbs extended, its entire length may be about eighteen 

 inches. 



It inhabits North America, and more especially Carolina. 

 It is not quite so frequent in Virginia. There it often abides 

 at the entrance of its hole, which is placed near the water of 

 some fountain, into which it precipitates itself as soon as it 

 hears any one approaching. 



The inhabitants of Virginia give the name of bull-frog to 

 this species, and will not destroy it because they pretend 

 that it purifies the waters in which it lives. In Pennsyl- 

 vania it is called shad-hog, because it makes its appearance 

 at the same time that the shads do in spring. 



Catesby affirms that it utters sounds very much resembling 

 the bellowing of a bull, and with greater force when it is 

 at the bottom of the water. During the summer evenings 

 and in dry weather, it makes a terrible noise. It is exceed- 

 ingly partial to young ducks and goslings, which it swallows 

 whole. According to Bartram, it proceds in pursuit of prey 

 to some distance from its retreat, and abounds in the rivers, 

 marshes and lakes of the southern regions. As the voracity 

 of this species is proportioned to its bulk, it is rare to find 

 more than a couple of them in each marsh. 



It is extremely difficult to catch this frog : it is only 

 during the night and when it removes a little from its retreat, 

 that it is possible to procure an individual. When it is on 



