17a 



THE YOUNG NATUEALIST. 



li inches, hind leg 3| inches long. The hind foot is much palmated, whilst 

 the fore foot is free. 



In this species, markings other than those already described occur, but are 

 so erratic as to be of no descriptive value. 



The habits of the common frog are most interesting, and are less generally 

 known than should be the case with so common an animal. Who has not 

 believed in the wonderful showers of frogs which are reported from time to 

 time ? After a shower, some one sees a great number of frogs , they were 

 not visible before the rain, therefore there must have been a shower of frogs ; 

 such is the logical inference drawn by a lover of the marvellous and promptly 

 communicated to the local press. The real explanation of this phenomenon 

 is much more simple and less romantic. The rain falling on the meadow or 

 the field, causes the worms to come out ; and the frogs through inherited 

 instinct, come after the worms, as well as to enjoy the humidity which is so 

 refreshing to them. 



The food of this creature consists of worms, insects, and larva3 (except the 

 hairy caterpillars.) Sometimes I have seen them take their own tadpoles, 

 and much to my surprise, one day, a frog actually caught and ate a full- 

 grown tree frog (Hyla viridis.) "From this I should infer, that at times, the 

 young of their own species would come into their bill of fare. The manner 

 of taking their insect food is varied ; usually they protrude their tongue at 

 least an inch from the mouth, and the viscid secretion with which it is sup- 

 plied, causes the insect to stick to it, and it is taken into the mouth with such 

 remarkable swiftness that it requires a practised eye to see the operation. 



When taking worms, they usually seize them in the middle, and with their 

 fore legs turn the ends of the worm straight out, so that it may be easily 

 taken and swallowed ; whilst swallowing, the eyes of the frogs are drawn 

 down into the interior of the head. When I give my frogs moths or flies, 

 they are able to jump at least 14 inches high and never miss their aim. 

 They are remarkably quick sighted ; no matter how slight the movement of 

 their prey, it is noticed ; even the movement of the leg of a fly is sufficient. 

 Progs never eat dead food, or insects at rest, at least so far as my experience 

 goes, and I have kept great numbers. 1 may add that frogs become tame, 

 and feed readily from the hand \ especially if the bait is a nice red worm in 

 a lively condition. Generally speaking frogs are not nearly so nocturnal in 

 in their habits as their cousins the toads, feeding both during the day and in 

 the dusk of the evening. 



A frog can leap 20 inches, or seven times the length of its body. This 

 great leaping power opens up a subject of much interest. How came it into 

 its possession ? It may be regarded as a protective development, whose 



