and this period is called by the country people of many parts of England, the Paddock Moon, paddock meaning a great frog.

There is another kind of frog considerably larger than the one we have been describing, which is made use of as an article of food on the Continent, and is acknowledged by all who can overcome their prejudices, to be both nutritive and delicate. Its colour is an olive green, distinctly marked with black patches on the back, and on its limbs, with cross bars of the same. From the tip of the nose, three distinct stripes of pale yellow extend to the extremity of the body, the middle one slightly depressed, and the side ones considerably elevated.The under parts are of a pale whitish colour, tinged with green, and marked with irregular brown spots.

These creatures are brought from the country, thirty or forty thousand at a time, to Vienna, and other great towns on the continent, and sold to the great dealers, who have conservatories for them, which are large holes, four or five feet deep, dug in the ground, the mouth covered with a board, and in severe weather with straw. In these conservatories, even during a hard frost, the frogs never become quite torpid. When taken out and placed on their backs, they are always sensible of the change, and have strength enough to turn themselves. They instinctively get together in heaps, one

upon another, and thereby remain fresh and moist; for no water is ever put to them. In Vienna, in the year 1793, there were only three great dealers; by whom most of those persons were supplied who brought them to the market ready for the cook.

The edible frogs are caught in various ways; sometimes in the night, by means of nets, collecting together round the light, of torches carried out for the purpose; or sometimes by hooks, baited with worms, insects, flesli, or even a bit of red cloth. Being exceedingly voracious, they seize greedily, every thing that moves, and, when once they have fixed, they keep their hold with great obstinacy. In Switzerland, they are caught by means of large rakes, with long, close-set teeth, which are thrown into the water, and drawn suddenly out again.

The Frogs already described, however, cannot be compared in size with the Bull Frog, which frequently measures a foot and a half, or upwards, from the nose to the hind feet. In Virginia, in North America, they are in such abundance, that there is scarcely any where a spring that has not a pair of them. When suddenly surprised, by a long leap or two, they enter the hole, at the bottom of which they lie perfectly secure.

Their croaking somewhat resembles the hoarse lowing of a bull; and, in a calm night, when many of them are making a noise together, they may

he heard to the distance of a mile and a half, The night is the time when they croak, and they are said to do it at intervals. In this act, they are either hidden among the grass or rushes, or they are in the water, with their heads above the surface. Kalm informs us, that as he was one day riding out, he heard one of them roaring before him, and supposed it to be a bull hidden in the bushes at a little distance. The voice was indeed more hoarse than that of a bull, yet, it was much too loud for him to conceive that it could be emitted by so small an animal as a Frog, and he was in considerable alarm for his safety. He was undeceived a few hours afterwards, by a party of Swedes, to whom he had communicated his fears.

When alarmed, they leap to a most sur prising distance at each exertion. A full-grown Bull Frog will sometimes leap three yards. The following story respecting one of them is well authenticated. The American Indians are known to be excellent runners, being almost able to equal the best horse in its swiftest course. In order, therefore, to try how well the Bull Frogs could leap, some Swedes laid a wager with a young Indian that he could not overtake one of them, provided it had two leaps beforehand. They carried a Bull Frog, which they had caught in a pond, into a field, and then let it go.-The fright, and the Indian who endeavoured to outrun the Frog, had together

such an effect upon the animal, that it made its long leaps across the field as fast as it could. ̧ The Indian pursued it with all his might. The noise he made in running, frightened the Frog: it, therefore, redoubled its leaps, and, by that means, reached the pond, which was fixed on as their goal, before the Indian could overtake it.

Were it not for the deeply rooted prejudices which are imbibed, during childhood, against all the animals of the Frog tribe, the beauty of colour, and the elegance of motion of the Green Tree-Frog are such, that it would afford delight to every beholder. During the summer months, it resides principally on the upper branches of the trees, where it wanders among the foliage in quest of insects. These it catches with great dexterity, stealing softly towards them, as a cat does towards a mouse, till at a proper distance, when it makes a sudden spring upon them, of frequently more than two feet in height. It often suspends itself by its feet, or abdomen, to the under parts of leaves; and, in this position remains concealed among the foliage.

Although during summer it inhabits the -woods, yet, about the end of autumn, it retires to the waters, and lies concealed in a torpid state, in the mud, or under the banks, till the spring. At the return of warin weather, it comes torth, like the rest of its tribe, in order to

deposit its spawn in the water. This is done about the end of April, or the beginning of May; and, as soon as the operation is over, the animals return to their accustomed haunts in the trees. The offspring continue until the month of August in their tadpole state.

During the breeding season, the male inflates his throat in a very surprising manner, sʊ, indeed, as to form a tolerably large sphere beneath his head. He then, also, exerts a very rough croak, that may be heard to a vast distance. Whenever one of them begins, all that are within hearing, join in this discordant chorus; and the whole is so loud, as almost to re. semble the noise of a pack of hounds. this, in still evenings, especially just before rain, when they most exert themselves, has been plainly heard nearly three miles, They are said to be so excellent as barometers, that, if kept in glasses in a room, and supplied with proper food, they will afford a sure presage of changes

in the weather.

He

In order to make some observations on the respiration of the Reptile tribe. Dr. Townson had, among others, some Tree-Frogs. kept them in a window, and appropriated to their use, a bowl of water, in which they lived. They soon grew quite tame; and to two, that he had for a considerable time, and were particular favourites, he gave the names of Damon and Musidora. In the hot weather, whenever