FEOG CULTUEE 231 



green frog is the fully: developed daphnia. 

 These mimite, crab-like creatures cling to 

 each tadpole by hundreds and thousands, 

 sometimes completely covering the body, and 

 so sapping the strength of the victim as 

 to cause its death. The tadpole of the bull- 

 frog is also subjected to similar attacks, but 

 apparently not to the same extent, nor with 

 as frequent fatality, since it is hatched later 

 in the season and from its size seems to be able 

 to offer greater powers of resistance. 



Another dreaded enemy of the tadpole, 

 particularly of the leopard species, is the larva 

 of the water-beetle. This hideous creature is 

 from four to five inches long, hangs in the 

 water with its taU at the surface, and, stealing 

 upon a tadpole as it passes, drives its power- 

 ful mandibles into its body and sucks the con- 

 tents into its stomach. A few thousand larvae 

 of the water beetle will destroy a small pond of 

 tadpoles in a few days. When they appear, 

 there is only one thing to do; have all the force 

 on the place wade through the pond with scap 

 nets and dip out the destructive creatures. 



Feeding. — Tadpoles will devour almost any 



