472 Frogs of the Okefinokee Swamp 



LARVAL PERIOD 



Deckert (19 14, No. 9, pp. i, 2) gives 16 days for the larval period of some 

 larvae kept in an enamelled pan (see Transformation Size). 



The earhest we have taken eggs is May 20, 1921, the earliest transforma- 

 tion we record is June 25, 1922 or June 12, 19 12. This gives little evidence 

 but the intervals are 36 days or 23 days. In 192 1 in certain ditches the first 

 eggs or egg-laying we discovered came May 20. On June 16 we record mature 

 tadpoles in these ponds 27 days later. On July 23 to 26^ we found our first 

 tadpoles transformed in these pools. This gives 64 to 67 days from hatching. 

 In 192 1 the earliest transformation of a few tadpoles came July 7 and many 

 transformations July 25 and 26. If these were laid May 20-22 this would 

 give 48 to 50 days from fresh eggs to transformation. In one series of ponds 

 beside the railroad where eggs were first recorded May 2 2 we first found them 

 transforming July 23 or 62 days later. We thus have possibilities of 23, 27, 

 36, 48, 50, 62, 64, 67 days for larval periods, but far removed from Deckert's 

 control series. He must have had an optimum of conditions to get 20 days 

 from egg to transformation. 



TRANSFORMATION 



Period. Deckert's tadpoles transformed September 16 and in 191 2 we 

 recorded tadpoles we thought would transform in September or October. 

 If in nature 60 days be allowed for the larval period the eggs we took August 

 17 would not transform before October 15. In 19 12 we have transformation 

 June 12 and June 24, July 4. In 192 1 we found transformation from July 

 7-August I. In 1922 from June 25 to August 25 we took transformed Gas- 

 trophrijne. For three years it began from June 12- July 7. From mid- June 

 to mid-October seems the approximate period of transformation. 



Size. The first note on transformation comes in Deckert's notes (1914, 

 No. 9, pp. 1-2): ''Eggs laid, night of August 27, 191 1. 



Aug. 28. One egg-mass put in flat enamelled pan in about i 1/2 inches 



of water. Larvae straightened out, but still in the egg-mass. 

 Aug. 30. Larvae released from egg-mass, 1/8 inch long, with small tufts. 

 Sept. I. Larvae 3/16 inch long, gills disappearing. 

 Sept. 2. Larvae 1/4 inch long, all have lost gills. 

 Sept. 8. Hind legs budding, length of larvae 1/2 inch. 

 Sept. 12. Legs fully developed, arms appearing, tail getting shorter, 



larvae 5/8 inch. 

 Sept. 14. Larvae breathing air, tail is but a short stump, 

 Sept. 16. Tail gone, the young toads measure 3/8 inch from snout to 

 vent." 



This is development from egg-laying to transformation in 20 days, almost 

 as rapid as in Scaphiopus holbrookii. 



In 191 2 the sizes of "nineteen young transformed narrow-mouthed toads 

 measure from 11-12 mm., the average is 11. 5 mm., the mode 11. 5 mm." 



