Page:British Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fresh-water Fishes.djvu/58

BRITISH AMPHIBIANS wanderings. I cannot think it is nearly so well distributed as Rana temporia, but it may be that, unless closely examined, some confusion between these two species occurs. It is certainly most common in the Eastern Counties. The Edible Frog is much more fond of water than its commoner relative, and its chief characteristics are "the pointed tips of the toes, smooth under-surface of the body, a broad glandular fold along the sides, and the marbling of the thighs." The hind

feet are completely webbed (those of the Common Frog are only partly so), and the male has a conspicuous globular sac on either side of the head. This is the external vocal apparatus with which it croaks. It has a louder and more musical note than that of its cousin. The colour is subject to considerable variation. The upper parts may be bronze-brown, greenish, or olive, with spots or marbling of black, or dark brown. There are conspicuous light stripes along the back. The under 42