FROG. 
Wi 
These reptiles grow to the size of eighteen inches 
and upwards, measured from the nose to the hind 
feet. Notwithstanding their hideous appearance 
the natives eat them, and one frog is said frequently 
to afford as much meat as a young fowl. 
The tree frog, Rana cirborea Linn., is a singular 
animal, and very unlike the rest ; for, while they 
content themselves with the plain ground, this crea- 
ture climbs the trees and resides principally on the 
upper branches, where it wanders about among the 
leaves in search of insects. The dexterity with 
which it catches its prey is remarkable : like a cat 
watching a mouse, it remains immoveable till an 
insect comes within a certain distance, when it 
creeps softly forwards, then makes a sudden spring 
of sometimes more than a foot in height, and in- 
fallibly seizes the victim. In order to enable these 
frogs to retain a situation which to a general observer 
must seem so contrary to the nature of the animal, 
thev are provided with a concave fleshy pellet at 
the end of each toe, which is not unlike the mouth 
of a leech, and, being moreover soft and glutinous, 
enables the frog to attach itself with the greatest 
security to the leaves of trees, and even to the most 
polished surfaces. By these pellets they can sus- 
pend themselves at pleasure from the under surface 
of a leaf or branch, and thus remain concealed 
among the foliage. 
About the end of autumn these frogs quit the 
trees and return to their native element, where 
they pass the dreary winter season in a torpid state, 
