Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.] [Parson's Green.
EDIBLE FROG.
The hind legs only of this species are used for the composition of the famous Parisian dish.
Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S.] [Regent's Park.
TIGER-LIKE FROG.
A species closely allied to the common British frog, but more boldly marked.
Amphibians amongst themselves constitute two very easily recognised sub-divisions,—the one including the Frogs and Toads, collectively forming the Tailless group; and the other represented by the Newts and Salamanders, or Tailed Amphibians. The former group has an almost world-wide distribution, numbering some thousand species; it is most abundantly represented in the tropics, ranging thence in diminishing numbers to the limits of the Arctic Circle. In colder climates these Amphibia usually hibernate during the winter months; while in tropical countries, where dry seasons intervene, they often bury themselves in the mud, and remain in a state of torpor till the return of the rains. The majority are more or less essentially nocturnal in their habits. Frogs and toads commence life in an aquatic tadpole phase. While in the adult state they are strictly carnivorous, the tadpoles are vegetarian feeders.
The section to which the Common British Frog belongs includes nearly 150 species, collectively known as Water-frogs, which present considerable differences in both their aspect and habits. While some are perennially aquatic, others only resort to the water during the breeding-season; some are terrestrial and occasionally earth-burrowers, while yet another series is essentially arboreal.
