FROGS 135 



to the attacks of predatory enemies, not a 

 living frog or toad but finds its way to the 

 water side. Where water is frequent there may 

 be nothing remarkable in this, but if proof of 

 the frog's subconscious power is desired, it 

 may be had by anyone interested and with 

 time to spare. He has only to keep watch at the 

 proper season on a piece of water completely 

 isolated, but known for a breeding place. If 

 dry in the summer so much the better, for then 

 it will not harbour possible frogs who might 

 remain in or around it. Thus, at the appointed 

 time (oftener at night), the batrachians will be 

 seen converging from all directions. Now the 

 frog's previous acquaintance (if any) with this 

 pond cannot have been less than a year old, 

 when it may have emerged from the same 

 pond after completing the tadpole period. 

 Following nature's usual scheme in this 

 regard, it is possible that frogs return to the 

 waters in which they were spawned ; fish 

 (Salmonidse) are known to do so. 



We note in this case that after developing 

 legs the tadpoles (now frogs) are subconsciously 

 urged to quit the water : they are seen hopping 

 away from it in thousands when no larger than 

 peas, and again, by the same power, are drawn 

 back to it after a certain lapse of time. The 

 action is as regular as the clock's pendulum. 



