[Three Hundred Animals Contents]
THIS amphibious being is nearly related, as to shape, to the lizard, except that it has no tail in its perfect state. The tadpole is the embryo of the Frog, which is contained under that larva, and when it has attained its real growth, breaks its ties and acquires legs, leaving its tail, with the rest of the exuviæ of its former shape. This metamorphosis is one of the most curious in nature, and deserves our observation. The Frog, like other amphibious animals, needs not to breathe in order to put his blood into circulation, having a communication between the two ventricles of the heart. There are two kinds of Frogs: one of a green and yellow colour, the other larger and more grey. The first lives in ponds, brooks, and rivulets, in all marshy grounds, and other watery places; the other in corn fields and most generally on cultivated land. The frogs have two bladders, one on each side of the mouth, which they fill with wind, and hence proceeds the voice. When they croak they put their heads out of the water or else it could not be heard. The hinder legs of the frog are much longer than the fore ones, to help them in those repeated and extensive leaps which they make to avoid danger. The whole of the body bears a little resemblance to the human form, principally about the thighs and the toes. The generation of Frogs is one of those secrets which Providence has entirely concealed from the pruriency of man after any knowledge that does not immediately relate to the knowledge of himself. The frog is extremely tenacious of life, and often survive the abcission of his own head for several hours. It is supposed that they spend the whole winter at the bottom of some stagnant water, in a state of torpidity.