NEW TURN AT THE ZOO.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3531, 19 July 1920, Page 3

NEW TURN AT THE ZOO.

Aii oco.lated bladder frog in the reptile house at the London "Zoo" has its. reputation at stake, for if has been beaten at its own game by its companion "Glum,'' otherwise known as Gay 's frog.

It was on y the other day that the keeper chanced to discover "Gluni's" dilative powers, when looking into its pond, he saw the frog giving what appeared to be an imitation of a floating football. At first he thought that the frog was dead, but when taken out of the water it proceeded to distend itself to such an extent that, fearing an explosion, he hastily returned it. After gradually deflating, it sank to the bottom. The keeper has also found that by tickling the creature in what would be the ribs if it had any, "Glum" can be made to repeat the performance. It is, of course, merely an extreme example of the protective meats sure adopted by such creatures when irritated or attacked. Despite the name, the oceilated b'adder frog cannot even approach "Glum's" feats of dilation. It witnesses these from a remote corner of the case witli apparent amazement and envy.