HABITS OF THE NATTERJACK. 
0 
direction. The parts of the shore selected for that purpose are very much 
saturated with moisture from fresh water exuding from the high land above, and 
in spots also where this water forms shallow accumulations. During the expul¬ 
sion of the spawn the male reptile is placed upon the back of the female, securely 
fixed, and impregnates the spawn as it passes from her (no previous union of the 
sexes having taken place), both animals moving at a moderate speed at the same 
time, thereby causing the great length of the chain of spawn. The male at this 
season is provided with a tubercle, or black warty excrescence on the inner side 
of each thumb, for the purpose of giving him a more secure hold of the female 
(accounting for the very vulgar and mistaken notion commonly entertained, that 
the one year Frogs ride upon the backs of the three year Frogs until they are 
killed). After a short time the tadpoles make their appearance, but they are 
much smaller than those of the Common Frog, and remain in the water until 
their metamorphosis is completed, which is generally in the course of a few 
weeks. During this period a constant croaking is kept up by the male, which is 
very different from that made by the Common Frog, and which may be heard 
at a distance of at least five hundred yards ; this is continued till the season is 
far advanced, and particularly on serene quiet evenings, and before a change of 
weather; it is a peculiar kind of harsh croak, not altogether unpleasant. After 
the change to the perfect animal takes place, the young leave the water and seek 
protection on the land. At first they confine themselves to rather moist situa¬ 
tions, then gradually retire to more dry and gravelly spots, and are found in 
clusters of fifty or sixty in a place, generally under tufts of grass, so closely 
impacted together, that it is with great difficulty they can separate themselves. 
After some time they become stronger, and seek a retired and more solitary 
situation inland. Their progressive motion is very different from that of the 
Frog or Toad; it is not either the quick jump of the former, or the tardy walk 
of the latter animal, but a wriggling run or shuffling walk. When taking their 
prey—which generally consists of Earth-worms, Slugs, or different kinds of 
insects, &c.—if not disturbed, it is interesting to observe the manner in which 
this is performed. By placing a live Worm a few inches before them, their 
attention is immediately directed to the object; fixing themselves in the attitude 
of a pointer Dog when setting its game, and with a peculiar turn of the head and 
glance of the eye, they immediately seize the writhing prey, and so instantly is 
it conveyed into their mouth and swallowed, that it requires the keenest eye to 
detect their movements. This operation is performed by means of the tongue, 
which is attached, differently from the same organ in animals in general, to the 
fore part of the mouth, and in a manner folds back upon itself, terminating at 
the back part of the mouth. In the winter season it is difficult to meet with these 
animals, as they retire into holes and cavities inland, under stones and in different 
vol. hi.—NO. XVI. 
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