104 



/GREEN FROG. 



spicuous a character in that animal, is much less 

 distinct, and sometimes even entirely wanting. 

 The proportion of the limbs is nearly the same as 

 in the common frog, and the hind feet are very 

 strongly palmated. 



This species, according to the observations of 

 Mr. Roesel, emerges from its winter quarters at a 

 much later period than the common Frog ; gene- 

 rally depositing its spawn in the month of June. 

 Mr. Roesel, therefore, very properly observes, that 

 in places where this animal is used as an article of 

 food, it should not be taken till June; those which 

 are brought to market before that period being 

 either common frogs, or even toads. The male 

 of this species, during the breeding season, is ob- 

 served to protrude from each side of its head a 

 large inflated globular vesicle, and croaks so loud 

 as to be heard to a vast distance. Indeed in places 

 where these animals assemble in multitudes, their 

 croaking is so oppressive to those unaccustomed 

 to the sound, as to prevent them from enjoying 

 their accustomed rest. The globules of spawn in 

 this species are smaller in proportion than in the 

 common frog, and of a somewhat yellowish cast : 

 the tadpoles are slower in arriving at their complete 

 form ; the fore legs scarcely appearing before Oc- 

 tober, and the animal in its perfect shape being 

 rarely seen before the beginning of November, at 

 which period the tail begins to decrease, and in 

 about four days becomes entirely obliterated. 



The Green Frog is a very voracious animal, and 

 will occasionally seize on young birds of various 



