3o8 * Frogs of the Okefinokee Swamp 



swamp and, therefore, would not be expected to have a short period, but 

 rather a long one. The upper range 41-65 may be a minimum period of 

 development. 



TRANSFORMATION 



Period. In 1922 on July 10 ''found 2 or 3 tadpoles in two-legged condi- 

 tion." On July 17 they were not beyond the two-legged stage. On July 24 

 "found one two -legged tadpole ready to burst out its forelegs," and on July 

 25 "the tadpole burst its forelegs this morning." On July 27 we found this 

 tadpole fully transformed. Two days later at same pond found four trans- 

 formed or transforming. On July 26 in another pond found a transformed 

 frog. A month later, August 21, 1922, in a third pond "Several beautiful 

 mature Hyla gratiosa tadpoles. One a beautiful specimen with a very 

 yellowish or greenish yellow (non-Ridgway) colored tail. In one pond we 

 record on August 9 that the Hyla gratiosa tadpoles are quite small. All in 

 all we actually took transformed individuals from last of July to the last of 

 August. 



On July 26, 1922, when coat bets were having a great breeding congress 

 where we solved the "barker" puzzle we found breeding signs and "found a 

 transformed Hyla gratiosa 2 or 3 inches above the water on a spear point leaf 

 of Equisetum (horsetail)." 



On July 31, 1922, we have these journal observations. "In one pond we 

 found in one haul of the seine 6 Notophthalmus dorsalis larvae, Hyla gratiosa 

 mature tadpoles, transformed frogs and a tadpole with bifurcated tail. 

 Plenty of Hyla gratiosa and Rana aesopus tadpoles. Caught two Kinosternon 

 subrubrum. In a pond south of this first pond took almost a pure culture of 

 Hyla gratiosa tadpoles with a few red-tailed Hyla femoralis tadpoles. In 

 pond (corner of Chesser Island and Old Okefinokee roads) secured largest R. 

 aesopus tadpole and plenty of Hijla gratiosa transformed and tadpoles 

 a plenty." Thus the progeny of our earliest breeders may be transformed or 

 transforming when the later breeders are just beginning. Eggs laid in July 

 or as late as August 16 must transform in September or October. We thus 

 have July-October at least for transformation. 



Size. On July 26, 1922, a transformed frog measured 20 mm., on July 

 27 three were 19, 23, 21 mm, respectively; another of the same date measured 

 19 mm.; on July 29, two measured 18 mm. and two 20 mm.; on July 31 we 

 have three 19, 20, 21 mm. in length and on August 21, one of 23 mm. We 

 have only 13 specimens with an average and mode of 20 mm., and a range of 

 18-23 mm. This makes it a larger transforming Hyla than Hyla versicolor 

 with its 14-20 mm. range. 



General remarks. " Hijla gratiosa when transformed often shows brownish 

 spots on the back; sometimes has three or four yellow or orange spots like an 

 adult Hyla ci?ierea. Dark vitta from eye backward and three or four dis- 

 connected dark spots on sides almost to groin. Another shows the spots of 

 dorsum common and dark green." 



As transformation approaches the myotomes of the tail musculature show 

 very clearly. The creature looked like a big-eyed, big-headed creature with 



