CHAPTER V 
AMPHIBIANS 
68. Amphibians. — Frogs and toads are the best known 
animals of this group; but here belong also the Salamanders 
(sal'a-man-ders), frequently miscalled lizards (see page 99). 
The amphibians (am- 
fib'i-ans : Greek, amphi , 
double ; bios, life) are all 
small, the largest one 
found in America being 
a salamander ( Crypto - 
branchus ), which is rarely 
more than two feet long. 
This term amphibian is 
used to explain the habit 
which frogs, toads, and 
certain salamanders have 
of spending their larval 
(tadpole stage) life in the water and their adult life on 
land, or partly on land and partly in the water. 
LABORATORY STUDY 
Place one or two frogs or toads in a small jar or box and observe the 
points mentioned in the report below. 
DO THEY 
Wink? 
Can they 
Protect 
their Eyes? 
How Do 
THEY 
Get Air ? 
Can they 
Walk? Hop? 
How Do 
they Swim ? 
How Do THEY 
Catch a Fly ? 
Figure 70. — Some Common Salamanders 
Found on Land. 
82 
