THE FROG ier 
General Description. The common Grass-frog is a 
short, broad, thick-set animal with a large, wide, triangular- 
shaped head, which, like that of the fish, is set on its 
shoulders without any neck. Its mouth is extremely wide, 
and its large, 
prominent eyes 
are surrounded 
with yellow ed- 
ges. Its body is 
furnished — with 
four limbs, the 
hind-limbs being 
much larger and 
stronger than the 
forelimbs. In its 
favourite position 
resting on its 
haunches, it pre- 
sents an ungainly 
and awkward ap- 
pearance. Its skin 
is smooth and 
Fig. 102.—The Frog. 
moist, and feels cold to the touch. 
The Limbs.—The front limbs differ from the hind 
limbs not only in being shorter, but in having four toes, 
which are not webbed. The hind limbs end in five toes, 
between which a flexible membrane or web is stretched. 
The structure of the limbs in itself would indicate that the 
animal is not adapted for walking. It moves on land by 
leaping or jumping, for which its strong hind limbs are 
admirably suited. In the water it swims with considerable 
rapidity by kicking out vigorously with its hind limbs, the 
broad, webbed feet offering the necessary resistance to the 
water. 
