THE FROG 165 
There is one species of Frog, however (Liopelma Hoch- 
stettert), which is found in New Zealand, and nowhere else : 
but it is very rarely seen, and nothing is known of its 
habits. It occurs chiefly in hilly country in the neighbour- 
hood of streams, and no doubt the young Tadpoles live in 
the rock-pools along the water-courses. 
In addition to Frogs, amphibians include Toads, Newts, 
and Salamanders. Frogs are the only amphibians found in 
New Zealand. 
| NotE.—The lessons on this subject should be deferred until 
_Spring or early summer, that is, until frogs are plentiful.-— 
The ‘examination of the animal itself should precede an 
investigation of its life-history, and should be a real examination 
and not a mere description of illustrative pictures, though these 
will be found helpful in clearing up difficulties and emphasising 
what has been learnt. 
The bony framework, or as much of it as we are concerned with 
can be felt through the skin; the skull, backbone, bones of the 
limbs, and breast-bone can all be made out, as also the manner of 
attachment of the limb-bones, and the shone of ribs. 
|The development of the Frog should be worked out in the school 
aquarium. A simple form of aquarium is made by covering the 
bottom of a fairly large vessel with mud, fine gravel, and a few 
small stones smeared with green mite These should be 
arranged in such a way as to shelve from the surface at one side 
to a depth of five or six inches at the other, and have the slime- 
covered stones resting on the bottom. A few water weeds should 
then be planted, and all suspended sediment allowed to settle 
down. The next thing is to procure some F rog spawn. This 
might be done by the pupils under the guidance of the teacher, 
when the protection offered by the gelatinous covering could be 
tested. If the weather be warm, the eggs will dev alop into tad- 
poles in a fortnight or less. It mail be necessary to supply green 
slime from time to time for the animals to feed on. 
The number of Tadpoles reared should not be great, as their 
growth and development can be more readily watched when there 
are only a few. 
Careful records of everything done and observed should be. kept, 
with special reference to dates, e.g., date when eggs were obtained, 
when first Tadpoles appeared, when indications of limbs were fe 
seen, etc., ete. 
