164 



THE GREEN TREE-FROG. 



each eyelid is a group of horny tubercles, so that the creature presents a most remarkable 

 appearance. Its length is about three inches. 



OUR last example of these creatures is the large AGUA TOAD of America (Bufo agua}. 



This large species digs holes in the ground, and resides therein. It is one of the noisiest 

 of its tribe, uttering a loud snoring kind of bellow by night and sometimes by day, and being 

 so fond of its own voice that even if taken captive it begins its croak as soon as it is placed on 

 the ground. It is very voracious, and as it is thought to devour rats, has been imported 

 in large numbers from Barbadoes into Jamaica, in order to keep down the swarm of rats that 

 devastate the plantations. When these creatures were first set loose in their new home, they 

 began to croak with such unanimous good-will that they frightened the inhabitants sadly, and 

 caused many anxious householders to sit up all night. 



This Toad grows to a great size, often obtaining a length of seven inches, and nearly the same 

 measurement in breadth. It may be recognized by the great enlargement of the bone over the eyes, 

 and the enormous dimensions of the glands behind the head. Its color is extremely variable. 



WE now come to the Tree-Frogs, or Tree- Toads, so called from their habits of climbing 



trees, and attaching themselves to the 

 branches or leaves by means of certain discs 

 on the toes, like those of the geckos. In 

 the first family the toes are webbed, and the 

 processes of the vertebrae are cylindrical. A 

 good example will be found in the SAVAN- 

 NAH CRICKET FROG of America. 



This species is very common in its own 

 country, and is found throughout a very 

 large range of territories, specimens having 

 been taken from several Northern and 

 Southern States of America. It is a light, 

 merry little animal, uttering its cricket-like 

 chirp with continual reiteration, even in 

 captivity. Should it be silent, an event 

 sometimes greatly to be wished, it can at 

 any time be roused to utterance by sprink- 

 ling it with water. It is easily tamed, learns 

 to know its owner, and will take flies from his hand. 



This species frequents the borders of stagnant pools, and is frequently found on the leaves 

 of aquatic plants and of shrubs that overhang the water. It is not, however, possessed of such 

 strongly adhesive powers as the true Tree-Frogs, and is unable to sustain itself on the under 

 side of a leaf. It is very active, as may be surmised from the slender body and very long 

 hind-legs, and, when frightened, can take considerable leaps for the purpose of avoiding the 

 object of its terror. 



The color of this species is greenish-brown above, diversified by several large oblong spots 

 edged with white, and a streak of green, or sometimes chestnut, which runs along the spine 

 and divides at the back of the head, sending off a branch to each eye. The legs are banded 

 with dark-brown, and the under surface is yellowish-gray with a slight tinge of pink. It is 

 but a little creature, measuring only an inch and a half in length. 



Another species (Hyla carolinensis} is sometimes called by the same popular title, because 

 its voice, like that of the preceding species, bears some resemblance to that of a cricket. Being 

 one of the true Tree-Frogs, it is not a frequenter of the water, but proceeds to the topmost 

 branches of trees, and there chirps during the night. 



ANOTHER family, containing the well-known Tree-Frog of Europe, has the toes webbed, 

 and the processes of the vertebrae flattened. The best-known species is the common GKEEN 



SAVANNAH CRICKET FKOQ. Acris gryUui. 



