FROG-CONCERTS. 57 



in respiration, but only when the former is moist. 

 So, in order to secure that object, the frog is fur- 

 nished with an internal tank, so to speak, which re- 

 ceives the superabundance of the absorbed water, 

 and keeps it pure until it is required for use. So 

 great is the power of absorption that a frog has been 

 known to absorb a quantity of water equal to itself 

 in weight, merely through the pores of the abdominal 

 surface, and this in a very short time. 



In England we don't eat frogs, for what reason I 

 know not. One species of frog is very excellent 

 food, and it is but natural to suppose that another 

 may be so, i.e., if properly cooked. However, the old 

 belief still keeps its ground, that the French are the 

 natural foes of the English, and we ought to hate 

 them, because they " eat frogs and are saddled with 

 wooden shoes ". Still I cannot but think that to eat 

 frogs is better than to starve or to steal, and that to 

 wear wooden shoes is not more humiliating than to 

 wear no shoes at all. 



After its fashion, the frog sings, though it is but 

 after a fashion. We call the frog's song a croak : I 

 wonder what name the frog would give to our sing- 

 ing. When the frog sings, it generally sinks itself 

 under water, with the exception of its head, opens 

 its mouth, lays its lower jaw flat on the water, and 

 sets to work as if it meant to make the best of its 

 time. Even in England we have fine specimens of 

 frog concerts, though not to such an extent as in 



