FROG. 
23 
tuation, that, when disturbed, they may leap into the 
mouth of the spring and hide themselves at the 
bottom. The Virginians, who believe they purify 
the water, respect them as the genii of the foun- 
tains, and hold them in such superstitious venera- 
tion, that they are afraid to kill one lest some dread- 
ful misfortune should happen to their household. 
However, the less scrupulous get the better of their 
fears, especially where their interest is concerned ; 
for such as breed geese and ducks are anxious to 
destroy these frogs, as they are extremely voracious, 
and very destructive to young water fowls. 
We cannot give the reader a better idea of the 
agility of these animals than by relating the follow- 
ing story, which is well authenticated : — It is a 
well known fact, that an American Indian is able to 
run almost as fast as the best horse in his swiftest 
course. In order, therefore, to try how well the 
bull frogs could leap, some Swedes laid a wager 
with a young Indian, that he could not overtake 
one of them, provided he had two leaps before 
hand. The wager being accepted, they carried a 
bull frog, which they had caught in a pond, into 
afield, and burnt his tail. This application stimu- 
lated the creature to such a degree, that he made his 
long leaps across the field with wonderful celerity. 
The Indian pursued with all his might ; and the 
noise he made in running, added to the fear the poor 
frog was probably in of a second burning, made 
him redouble his efforts, and reach the pond before 
the Indian could overtake him. 
