TOADS AND TADPOLES 29 



" To feed the tadpoles it is necessary to imitate nature 

 as closely as possible. To do this a visit to the pond 

 where the eggs were found will give the clue. Many 

 plants are present, and the bottom will be seen to slope 

 gradually from the shore. The food of the tadpole is the 

 minute plant-life on the stones, the surface of the mud, or 

 on the outside of the larger plants. Make an artificial 



Fig. 16. — Tadpoles. (Photograph from life b}' Cherry Kearton ; permis- 

 sion of Cassell & Co.) 



pond in a small milk-pan, or a large basin or earthenware 

 dish. Put some of the mud and stones and small plants 

 in the dish, arranging all to imitate the pond, that is, so 

 it will be shallow on one side and deeper on the other. 

 Take a small pail of clear water from the pond to the 

 schoolhouse and pour it into the dish to complete the 

 artificial pond. The next morning when all the mud has 

 settled and the water is clear, put thirty or forty of the 

 little tadpoles which hatched from the egg string, into 

 the artificial pond. Keep this in the light, but not very 

 long at any one time in the sun. . . . 



