Acris gryllus 191 



Figured at p. 72 of this volume. This is very apparently Acris gryllus 

 and was really first described by Harlan in 1826 (p. 340). 



In 1841 Dumeril and Bibron (1841, pp. 507-509), place it and Pseudacris 

 nigrita right after the genus Litoria as the two species of Acris. Specimens of 

 each of these "deux tres-petites especes" they received from LeConte. 



Holbrook's (1842, Vol. IV, p. 133) "General Remarks" about Hylodes 

 gryllus are "The first notice of this animal is found in Bartram's Travels in 

 CaroHna and Florida; he calls it the Savannah Cricket, and gives a tolerable 

 account of its manners. This animal forms a good connecting link between 

 the genera Rana and Hyla, and seems to partake of the habits of both, for 

 though it hkes water at all times, yet it may be found on aquatic plants 

 waiting for its prey ; and it has the power of adhering to smooth surfaces like 

 the Hylae, but much less perfectly, as it can never sustain itself on the under 

 surfaces of leaves, etc." 



"For the present I am disposed to arrange this animal with the Hylodes 

 of Fitzinger: for i. The extremities are slender, with the fingers and toes only 

 slightly swelled at the tips; and 2. It cannot belong to the genus Rana, as it 

 wants a bony sternum, etc." 



"Dumeril and Bibron have established a new geuns Acris, for the reception 

 of this animal and the Cystignathus nigritus; but I see no reason for removing 

 it from that of Hylodes, especially as their genus is characterized by having 

 the toes free." In 1849 (Appendix, p. 15) Holbrook still retains it in Hylodes. 

 DeKay (1842, Part III, p. 70) "followed Dr. Holbrook in arranging it under 

 Hylodes." 



In 1855 to 1858 we have more activity in Acris species than at any other 

 period unless it be the gryllus-dorsalis period of 1825-26. In 1855 Baird 

 (PP- 59> 60) gives two forms as follows "Acris crepitans, Baird. — Brownish 

 above. The median region of head and body above bright green; a dark 

 triangle between the eyes. Three oblique blotches on the sides, nearly equi- 

 distant, the first behind the eye, the last on the flanks and running up the 

 back; all usually margined with lighter. A narrow white line from the eye to 

 the arm. Beneath yellowish white. Inferior face of thigh plain. Tibia a 

 little more than half the length of the body; foot rather smaller. Head 

 rather obtuse, scarcely longer than broad. Web of hind foot extending to the 

 penultimate articulation of the 4th toe. Syn. Hylodes gryllus DeKay, N. Y. 

 Zool. Ill, (1842) 70, PI. XXII, f. 61. Hab. Northern States generally. 

 "2. Acris acheta Baird. — Slender. Tibia two-thirds the length of body. 

 Color above dark brown; blotched much as in Acris gryllus. Beneath white, 

 closely mottled with brown on the body and on the inferior and inner faces of 

 the limbs; where are also visible minute dots. Lower surface of body appears 

 quite black. A narrow white line from eye to arm. Hah. Key West, Florida." 



The first writer who attempts minutely to distinguish Acris gryllus and 

 Acris crepitans is LeConte (Dec. 1855, pp. 426, 427) the first describer of the 

 former. We will not copy his descriptions but he says of the latter (A. crepi- 

 tans) that it "very much resembles the preceding (A. gryllus) but the head is 

 shorter and blunter, the body likewise is not as slender or as graceful in form 



