448 Frogs of the Okefinokee Swmnp 



LARVAL PERIOD 



In 192 1 we spent from April 26-Aug. i in the center of the swamp and 

 heard no R. virgatipes. In the last of July of that year we heard them on the 

 east edge of the swamp and at Black Jack Island in the south part of the 

 swamp. We therefore missed the tadpoles. In 1922 at Chesser Island we 

 found the species laying at July 22 but located no tadpoles from June 10- 

 Aug. 26. Why the mystery? In the first season we were where they were not. 

 In the second season we concluded they wintered over, transformed in May 

 and early June before we arrived and we were not there long enough after egg 

 laying for mature or half -grown tadpoles. Our trip to Lakehurst in 1923, 

 last of June, confirmed us in the supposition that they wintered over, and 

 transformed in May and June. We found only one debatable tadpole. We 

 therefore visited Lakehurst May 22-23, 1924, and found quite a few mature 

 tadpoles, transforming stages and two transformed individuals. We therefore 

 feel they winter over and this places them in the R. grylio, R. clamitans, R. 

 catesheiana, R. heckscheri, R. septentrionalis group in tadpole characters 

 though like others in egg-mass character. 



TRANSFORMATION 



Period. When we found transforming individuals on May 23, 1924, they 

 were scarce as were mature tadpoles. Stragglers transform to mid- July but 

 the vast bulk of wintering over tadpoles must transform in early spring by 

 May 15. 



, Since this whole account was written we recently located two transformed 

 specimens of Rana virgatipes in our 1922 collections. We assumed we had 

 wholly missed this stage. These two transforming frogs were taken August 

 15, 1922. 



Another addendum of June 8, 1929 is a record of one transformed frog 

 caught on lily pads in Lakehurst Lake by the Shinn brothers (Everett and 

 Whittemore) and R. D. Anderson. At the same time they caught four 

 adult males (51.5, 52.5, 54, 56 mm.) and a ripe female (56 mm.) in the same 

 places. 



Size. On May 23, 1924, we secured from Mr. EmHe's pond 1/2 mile south 

 of Lakehurst two Rana virgatipes measuring 27 and 29 mm. respectively. 

 On June 5 some of the tadpoles of May 23 capture were approaching trans- 

 formation and the body length of these were from 25-30 mm. Another of 

 these tadpoles on July 14 transformed at 29 mm. and two on July 2 trans- 

 formed at 23 and 24 mm. 



In 1923 (June 23) Mrs. 'Wright and I captured a 25 mm. specimen at 

 Lakehurst, N. J. Transformation may in rare cases extend to 32 or possibly 

 33 mm. 



The two specimens taken in Okefinokee swamp August 15, 1922, are re- 

 spectively 28 and 3 1 mm. The first is completely transformed and the second 

 has a tail stub 10 mm. Each have the characteristic light stripe from eye to 

 above hind leg insertion as in adults. 



