Page:British Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fresh-water Fishes.djvu/54

BRITISH AMPHIBIANS Anglicised from the Saxon word *' Efete," thus=an "Efete," an "Ewfte," an "Ewt," a "Newt."

Of the belief still rife that pains in the stomach may be caused by the afflicted person having swallowed the egg of a Newt, and of cattle being made ill from a like cause, mention need only be made as showing how natural history is misunderstood and misinterpreted by the masses who know little, and care less, about the wonders of life. These silly superstitions and beliefs still obtain, but may be dismissed as being equally ridiculous with the Crocodile that sheds tears.

ORDER ECAUDATA, FAMILY RANIDÆ

Common Frog.—Rana temporia (Figs. 9 to 18). This familiar creature is known to country dwellers in its various stages of existence from egg to tadpole, and from tadpole to the perfect little amphibian. In spite, how- ever, of the wonderful life-cycle being performed, as it were, before our own eyes, one is bound to admit that it is this very familiarity that breeds contempt. The Frog's general unpopularity is, nevertheless, difficult to explain, for lovers of wild nature should be able to appreciate the lower as well as the higher forms of creation, and to judge each accordingly. The bird which sings from the elm-tree top, perchance that 38