Ranidae 



everywhere. The lateral line organs, especially in the region of 

 the head, are very conspicuous. As soon as the hind legs are 

 well grown, and before the front ones appear, the lines of the 

 lateral folds begin to show, the square spots are blocked out on 

 the back, and the legs become barred with dark. After the 

 appearance of the front legs the swellings in the region of the gills 

 are very noticeable, as are also the lines from the nostrils to the 

 eyes. 1 



Just before the completion of the metamorphosis, while 

 the stump of the tail is still present, and just as the swellings in 

 the gill region disappear, the young frog moults its skin. It 

 now leaves the water and wanders over the grassy places at the 

 margin of the water. It is slender and delicate, and very shy. 

 At our approach it escapes with enormous leaps into the protec- 

 tion of the pickerel weeds and cat-tails that grow in the shallow 

 water. 



RANA AREOLATA, B D. AND GIRD. 2 



IDENTIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS 



Colour: Brown or olive, obscurely mottled and speckled 

 with light. Many large or small rounded spots on head, back, 

 and sides. There may be four irregular rows of these spots 

 between the lateral folds. The spots usually do not encroach 

 on the lateral folds. There may be yellowish-white outlines 

 around the spots. Ear brown, with a white blotch at its centre. 

 Upper and lower lips coarsely marbled with brown. Legs spotted, 

 or crossed by four dark bars. Much yellow on femur and body 

 where they fold against each other. Underparts white. (Figs. 

 223 to 225.) 



Measurements: Size medium, i. e., length 2^ to 3! inches. 

 Length of head contained in total length three times. (Fig. 223.) 

 Length of leg to heel equals length forward to eye or nostril. 

 Tibia longer than femur. (Fig. 225.) 



Structure: Skin rough, with elongated warts on back and 

 sides. Lateral folds conspicuous. Tibia ridged lengthwise. 



1 See Bull Frog, pp. 236, 237. 



2 Judging from measurements made on the type specimens in the National Museum, Rana 

 areolata Bd. and Gird, is the same as Rana areolata circttlosa Rice and Davis and as Rana areolata 



capita Le Conte. 



192 



