Feod, 
6 COMMON FROG, Clafs IIf, 
would affimilate itfelf to the external atmofphere ini 
a fhort time: We muft leave the fact to be ace 
counted for by farther experiments. But from 
what we do know, we may partly vindicate Theopbraf- 
sus, and other antients, about the filence of the frogs 
at Seriphus. ‘That philofopher affirms it, but af. 
cribes it to the coldnefs of the waters in that ifland : 
Now when Monfieur Journefort was there, the wa- 
ters were lukewarm, and the frogs had recovered 
their voices*. Is it not probable that Theophraftus 
might be at Seriphus at that feafon when the frogs 
were mute, and having never obferved it elfewhere, 
might conclude their filence to be general as tothe 
time, but particular as to the place. lian**, who 
quotes I heophrajtus for the laft paffage, afcribes the 
fame filence to the frogs of the lake Péerus in The/- 
faly, and about Cyrene in Africa: but he is fo uns 
certain a writer, that we cannot affirm whether the 
fpecies of the African frogs is the fame with ours. 
Thefe, as well as all other reptiles, feed but a 
{mall {pace of the year. The food of this genus is 
flies, infects, and fnails. Toads are faid to feed alfo 
on bees, and to do great injury to thofe ufeful in- 
fects. 
During winter frogs and toads remain in a torpid 
ftate: the laft of which will dig into the earth and 
cover themfelves with almoft the fame agility as thg 
snole. 
© Fourncfort’s voy. 1. 1426 
@° Zlian libs iil. th. 355 370 
il. The 
