22 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



advise our readers to give themselves this instructive and easy- 

 lesson in natural history. 



At present there exist two species of Frog in Europe : the Green 

 or Edible Frog, and the Common Frog. The Green Frog is that 

 which we have described, and of which we have given a representa- 

 tion in Fig. 4. They are found in running streams and stagnant 

 waters. It is this species to which La Fontaine alludes in one of his 

 fables. Common Frogs are smaller than the preceding ; they inhabit 

 damp places in fields and vineyards, and only return to the water 

 to breed or to pass the winter. 



The flesh of the Edible Frog is very tender, white, and delicate. 

 As an article of food it is highly esteemed by some, and deservedly 

 so. Prepared in the same manner, Green Frogs closely resemble 

 very young fowls in taste. In almost all parts of France Frogs are 

 disdained as articles of food ; it is only in the south that a taste 

 for them is openly avowed, and there Frogs are sought for and 

 brought to market. Therefore, I never could comprehend how the 

 notion popular in England, when it is wished to express contempt 

 for Frenchmen, should be to call them frog-eaters. It is a reproach 

 which might be addressed to Provencals and Languedocians, like the 

 author of this work, but not at all to the majority of Frenchmen. 



The Green Tree Frog (Hyla) is easily distinguished by having 

 little plates under its toes. These organs are a species of sucker, by 

 means of which the animal is enabled, like the house-fly, to cling 

 strongly to any surface, however smooth and polished it may be. 

 The smoothest branch, even the lower surface of a leaf, forms a 

 sufficient hold and support to these delicate organs. 



The upper part of the body is of a beautiful green, the lower 

 part, where little tubercules are visible, is white. A yellow line, 

 lightly bordered with violet, extends on each side of the head and 

 back, from the muzzle to the hind legs. A similar line runs from 

 the jaw to the front legs. The head is short, the mouth round, and 

 the eyes raised. Much smaller than the ordinary Frog, they are far 

 more graceful. During the summer they live upon the leaves of 

 trees in damp woods, but pass the winter at the bottom of stagnant 

 pools of water, which they do not leave till the month of May, 

 having previously deposited their eggs. They feed on small insects, 

 worms, and molluscs. During the glare of the sun they remain 

 hidden amongst the leaves, but when twilight approaches they 

 become more active. We must repeat of these Green Tree Frogs 

 what we have already said of Frogs : get rid of all prejudice towards 

 their kind, and then you will examine with pleasure their brilliant 



