153 
THE ORNATE LANE-FROG. 
the two centre stripes running nearly the entire length of the body. The hinder part of the 
thigh is orange-brown, and the under parts are yellowish-white. The length of the head and 
body is nearly two inches. 
The celebrated Edible Frog, or Green Frog of Europe {Nana esculenta ), also belongs to 
this large genus. This handsome species is common in all the warmer parts of that 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 frog- 
geries 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. 
It is needful to make a very .early visit to the market, four or five a. m. being about 
the best time, to see the manner in which the Frogs are brought to market. They are gener- 
ally sold by women, each of whom has by her side two tubs or barrels, one containing living 
Frogs, and the other having a leather band nailed to the side, in which is stuck a sharp, broad - 
bladed knife. When the purchaser has bargained for a certain number, the seller plunges her 
left hand into the one barrel, brings out a Frog by its legs, lays it across the edge of the second 
barrel, and with a single cut of the knife, severs the hind-legs just above the pelvis, leaving 
the whole of the body and fore-quarters to fall into the tub. The hind-legs are then carefully 
skinned, and dressed in various ways, that with white sauce seeming to be the best, at all 
events according to my own taste. They require considerable cooking, but when properly 
dressed have a most delicate and peculiar flavor, which has been compared, but not very 
happily, to the wing of a chicken. I would suggest that a mixture of the smelt and the 
breast of the spring chicken would convey a good idea of the Edible Frog when cooked. 
Poachers are very apt to invade the froggeries, and without entering the boundaries often 
contrive to kidnap a goodly number of the inmates by a very curious mode of angling, some- 
thing like ‘‘bobbing ” for eels. They get a very long fishing-rod, tie a line of sufficient length 
to the tip, and at the end of the line they fasten, in place of a hook and bait, a simple piece of 
scarlet cloth. Thus prepared, they push the rod over the fence, let the scarlet rag just touch 
the surface of the water, and shake the rod so as to make the rag quiver and jump about. The 
Frog, thinking that it has found a very savory morsel, leaps at the rag, closes its mouth firmly 
upon it, and is neatly tossed out of the water and over the hedge before it can make up its 
mind to loosen its hold. 
The color of this species is bright green spotted with black, and having three bold yellow 
stripes along the back. The under parts are yellowish. In size it is rather larger than 
the common species. 
The remarkable Horned Frog is one of the quaintest species among the Frog tribe. 
There are several species belonging to this genus, all inhabiting Southern America, and all 
notable for the singular development of the upper eyelids, which are prolonged into hard, 
horn-like points. In the present species the back is furnished with a bony shield, and the 
prominences over the eyes are bold and well defined. The body is short, stout, and squat, the 
skin covered with tubercles and folds, and the opening of the mouth enormous. It is a large 
and voracious species, one specimen when opened being found to have swallowed a full-grown 
land-Frog (Cystignatlms fuscus), belonging to the same genus as our next example. The toes 
are long, powerful, and with hardly a vestige of web except just at the base. 
The little Ornate Land-Frog affords a remarkable contrast to the last-mentioned species 
on account of its small dimensions, the activity of its movements, and the beauty of its 
coloring. 
It is found in Georgia and South Carolina, and is always seen on land and dry spots, 
its thirsty frame being amply supplied by the dews and casual rains without needing 
immersion in water. Indeed, this Frog is so little conversant with the element usually so 
familiar to all its tribe, that if thrown into water, it makes no attempt to swim, but lies 
