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East and West Indies. The turtles are captured by turning them 

 on their.backs ; for the carapace is so flat, and their legs are so 

 short, that they are forced to lie helpless until their captors have 

 leisure to drag them away. The Grreen Turtle has been known to 

 reach the weight of five or six hundred pounds. The tortoise-shell 

 of commerce is almost entirely obtained from the Hawksbill Turtle. 



IV. — FROGS. 



The appearance and habits of the Frog and the Toad are 

 so familiar as to require but little description. A short account, 

 however, is necessary, of the peculiarities common to both Frogs 

 and Toads. 



In the early stage of their existence, these animals are 

 termed tadpoles. They at first appear to be nothing but head and 

 tail, but after several days have passed, four legs are observed to 

 become developed. These rapidly increase, and the little creature 

 closely resembles a small eft. In due time, however, the tail is 

 lost, and the creature becomes a perfect frog. Another important 

 change also takes place. In its tadpole state the creature was 

 essentially a water animal, but after its change has taken place it 

 is not able to exist under water for any great length of time, and 

 is forced to come to the surface to breathe. 



The tongue of the Frog is curiously fixed almost at the 

 entrance of the mouth, and when at rest points backwards down 

 the throat. When, however, the Frog comes within reach of a 

 slug or insect, the tongue is darted out with exceeding rapidity, 

 the slug secured, carried to the back of the throat, and awallowed. 



Both frogs and toads hibernate, the former congregating in 

 multitudes in the mud at the bottoms of ponds and marshes, while 

 the latter choose a hole in the ground, frequently at the roots of a 

 tree, and pass the winter in solitary dignity. 



The skin of .these animals has the property of imbibing 

 water, so that if an apparently emaciated frog is placed in a damp 

 place, it will soon look quite plump. 



The Common Frog is a well-known frequenter of marshy 

 places and the banks of rivers. , It is an admirable swimmer, and 



28* 



