The common frog / by St. George Mivart.

  • Mivart St. George Jackson, 1827-1900.
Date:
1874
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The common frog / by St. George Mivart. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    If the Frog was only known by certain fossil remains, it would be considered one of the most anomalous of animals. Many persons are accustomed to make much of the distinctive peculiarities of the human frame. In fact, however, Man’s bodily structure is far less ex- ceptional in the animal series, is far less peculiar and isolated than that which is common to Frogs and Toads. The number and nature of both the closer and the more remote allies of the Frog; its distribution both as to space and as to time ; its relationships whether of analogy or affinity1 to very different animals; its bony framework; its muscles and nerves; its brain and sense organs ; its respiratory and excretory structures ; its various changes from the egg to maturity, together with peculiarities of habit in allied forms,—are all matters which will well repay a little attentive consideration. Indeed it is probable that no other existing animal is more replete with scientific interest of the highest kind, than is the Frog. About it are gathered biological2 questions which bear upon the origin of species, and upon the course and mode of organic development, as well as other speculative problems to which answers are as yet far to seek. 1 Analogous relationship refers to the uses to which parts are put. Relationship of affinity refers either to such a relationship as that of kindred or to an ideal affinity reposing on similarities of structure. 2 Biological questions are questions referring to living beings, “ Biology” being the science which treats of all living things, including both plants and animals.