330 



VERTEBRATES. 



from tha peculiar construction of its lungs can remain for some 

 time under water, but is forced periodically to come to the surface 

 for the purpose of breathing. 



The Common Fi-o!;. 



The Bull-Frog is an inhabitant of North America. It 

 is very voracious, feeding upon fishes, molluscs, and even young 

 fowl. Its powers of leaping are so great, that an Indian was not 

 able to overtake an irritated bull-frog after it had sprung three 

 hops in advance. It is very large, measuring about seven inches 

 in length. 



The Tree Frogs are very peculiar animals. The con- • 

 struction of their feet, something resembling that of the geckos, 

 enables them to traverse the branches, and even to hang on the 

 under surface of a pendent leaf, which it so resembles in color that 

 the unwary insect passes by and is instantly seized by the watch- 

 ful frog. The Green Tree Frog is the most common, and is plen- 

 tifully found in Southern Europe and Northern Africa. There 

 are several specimens in the Zoological Gardens, which present a 



