Bufo terrestris 147 



record runs farther into the summer. See Voice. As stated under voice a 

 drenching rain proves the important item in starting ovulation. We ob- 

 served that toads might breed at air temperatures of 58° or lower but 64°-; 5° 

 or 6o°^7i° seems a fair approximation of the necessary minimum. Rain, 

 however, is most important. 



Egg-laying process. This species behaves in ovulation much as does Bufo 

 americanus. On April 24 we made a few observations. The unvarnished 

 journal notes are: When the female is not ovulating the male has the hind 

 legs free and floating, but when female ovulates several inches of egg string 

 the male brings his knees into the groin of the female and the heels almost 

 touch the upper surface of the hind feet against the under side of the female's 

 femur and near her cloacal opening. Female with hind legs stretched back, 

 sometimes heels touching, sometimes not. Eggs rest in cup made by heels 

 and feet of male. Male and female may remain in emission attitude 4 or 5 

 minutes or less. After the female crawls i foot or more, a minute or more 

 may elapse before another emission. When a female has begun ovulation it 

 it easy to pull the egg string out of the female. Water temperature where 

 laying 7 1°, air in sun 94°. Surface of water at 1 1 130 a. m. 81°. 



On June 7, 192 1, we have the note that "Twice have Bufo terrestris 

 females laid a complement of eggs without the attendant male." 



EGGS 



Attachment. In many transient pools the egg strings are strewn on the 

 bottom or in some ponds in shallow water. More often the eggs are in strings 

 attached or woven about grass, vegetation, twigs or other support in the 

 water. In one pond we found them in a clear area and edge of a pond next 

 the Pontederia zone amongst scattering Sagittaria and another water plant. 

 These made a mat about which the eggs were woven. Sometimes they are 

 fastened near the surface in deep pools or along lake edges. 



Egg mass, egg description. In 19 14 we wrote "Their characters if different 

 in minute form from those of B. I. americanus can not now be stated. In 

 general appearance, however, they were identical." Even in 192 1 we made 

 no detailed field notes on egg description but in 1922 on July 4 we have these 

 rough characters outhned. "Pair caught at Starling Branch crossing laid 

 between 1-7 a. m. today. Eggs seem to have only one jelly envelope. To- 

 night about 6:00 found a mass of eggs in Anna's pond. In road to Folkston 

 several masses found. The inner envelope of file revealed a day or more after 

 laying, not apparent when fresh. This inner envelope averages 2.0 mm. It 

 is near the outer envelope. No partitions between eggs. There is now a clear 

 elliptical envelope or membrane around each egg. These do not touch the 

 inner tube though. Possibly they are vitelline membranes. The outer 

 envelope is 2.8 mm." 



On July II we caught a mated pair. On July 14 we fixed it and on July 

 16 we counted the eggs in the left ovary of the female. There were 1,444 

 eggs. This female was rather a small one, not over medium size at the most. 

 A total complement of 2,888 doubtless is small for this species. 



