The Enemies of the Frog

Abstract

IN connection with this subject the following incident may be of interest to some of your readers. One day, near the kitchen area, an unusual noise was heard: it seemed like the mewing of a cat combined with a well-sustained whistle. On going to the spot, it was found that the noise proceeded from a cat and a frog, but it was difficult to decide from which of the two. Every time the cat touched the frog the sound was produced and the frog hopped away. The cat exhibited in his attitudes and motions a sort of enjoyment mingled with awe. He would just touch the frog very gently with the tips of his paws, then watch it most attentively, and when the frog would emit its peculiar loud squeak—not the usual croak—he would give a sudden bound, as if both surprised and amused; but he never attempted during the whole of the proceedings, which lasted about a quarter of an hour, to bite the frog. The frog was removed quite uninjured, but apparently exhausted either by fear or by muscular exertion.