444 THE EDIBLE FROG. 
through the water with that quick undulation of the flat tail which is so 
familiar to us all. The creature then bears the appearance represented in 
Fig. c. Presently another pair of legs make their appearance in front, the 
tail is gradually absorbed into the body—not falling off, according to the 
popular belief—the branchiz vanish,.and the lungs are developed. Fig. @ 
represents a young Frog just before the tail is fully absorbed. 
The internal changes are as marvellous as the external. When first 
hatched, the young tadpole is to all intents and purposes a fish, has fish- 
like bones, fish-like gills, and a heart composed of only two chambers, one 
auricle and one ventricle. But, in proportion to its age, these organs receive 
corresponding modifications, a third chamber for the heart being formed 
by the expansion of one of the large arteries, the vessels of the branchiz 
TOAD.—(Bu/fo vulgaris.) 
becoming gradually suppressed and their place supplied by beautifully cellular 
lungs, formed by a development of certain membranous sacs that appear to 
be analogous to the air-bladders of the fishes. 
THE celebrated EDIBLE FROG, or GREEN FROG of Europe (Rana 
esculenta), also belongs to this large genus. This handsome species is com- 
mon in all the warmer parts of the Continent, but in the vicinity of large 
cities is seldom seen, except in the ponds where it is preserved, and whence 
issues a horrid nocturnal concert in the breeding-time. The proprietors of 
these frogzeries supply the market regularly, and draw out the Frogs with 
large wooden rakes as they are wanted. In Paris these creatures are sold at 
a rather high price for the table, and as only the hind-legs are eaten, a dish 
of Frogs is rather an expensive article of diet. 
WE now arrive at another section of Batrachians, including those creatures 
which ?re known under the title of Toads, and of which the COMMON ToaD 
of Europe is so familiar an example. The members of this section may be 
known by the absence of teeth in the jaws and the well-developed ears. 
The general aspect and habits of this creature are too well known to require 
