THE FROG. 55 



mediate state. To begin at the beginning of a frog's 

 existence, we find it exhibited in masses of eggs, fixed 

 to each other by a kind of gelatinous substance, and 



floating in large quantities in ditches or ponds. 

 Each egg is about the size and shape of a pea, and 

 in the centre is the little black speck from which the 

 young frog proceeds. 



In process of time the egg is hatched, and out 

 comes a queer little creature, with a big head and a 

 flat slender tail, called generally a tadpole, and in 

 some places a pollywog. In this state of life the 

 young creature is simply a fish, with fish-like bones, 

 and breathing through gills, after the manner of 

 fish. 



Being very voracious, it grows rapidly : little legs 

 begin to show themselves ; and, at the proper 

 season, the gills are laid aside, the tail vanishes, and 

 the little frog is then in its usual form. The circu- 



