20. 
FROG. 
writhing prey. Dr. Townson mentions the cir- 
cumstance of a frog, which in his presence swal- 
lowed a blind worm near a span long. This proved 
such a perplexing morsel that the frog was a while 
before he could secure it, as in its struggles it fre- 
quently got its body out again ; and when completely 
swallowed it must have proved very troublesome, 
as its contortions were plainly seen within the flac- 
cid sides of the frog. 
However singular it may appear, the fact is well 
authenticated ; that frogs will sometimes adhere with 
the utmost tenacity to the backs of fishes. Not to 
mention the strange story told by Walton, of their 
destroying pike, we shall rely on the veracity of 
Mr. Pennant, who tells us that some years ago, on 
fishing a pond belonging to Mr. Pit, of Encomb, 
Dorsetshire, great numbers of the carp were found 
each with a frog mounted on it, the hind legs cling- 
ing to the back, the forelegs fixed in the corner of 
each eye of the fish, which were thin and greatly 
wasted, teased by carrying so disagreeable a load. 
These frogs were supposed to have been males dis- 
appointed of a mate. 
Severe cold seems greatly to affect these crea- 
tures, and occasions them to become torpid. In the 
higher latitudes of North America they become ab- 
solutely frozen during the winter, and Mr. Hearne 
says that he has frequently seen them dug up with 
the moss in such a brittle state that their legs might 
be as easily broken off as the stem of a tobacco pipe, 
without giving them any pain. If they, are warmly 
