AKT. 11 



NOKTH AMERICAN TADPOLES — WRIGHT 



29 



The dimensions of the largest tadpole are : 



Mm. 



Total length 72. 



Body length 23. 5 



Body depth 11.0 



Body width 15. 



Tail length 48. 5 



Tail depth 8. 5 



Musculature of tail 5. 6 



Spiracle to snout 14. 5 



Spiracle to vent 11. 5 



Spiracle to eye 8. 



Ej-e to snout 6. 



Eye to nostril 2. 6 



Nostril to snout 4.0 



Mouth 3. 8 



Interorbital distance 4. 5 



Internasal distance 3. 5 



RANA AESOPt'S (Cope) 



Plate 7, figure 1 



Color description from life (August 1, 1922). — At times the tad- 

 pole has a very greenish cast. Color on top of the head oil yellow, 

 olive 3'ellow, olive lake or old gold ahead of level of eyes. Back of 

 eye level yellowish citrine or olive citrine where there are no black 

 spots. 



About four irregular series of black spots between lateral line series 

 of spots of either side. Lateral line pores closely set and lateral line 

 canal distinct to the tip of the tail. A dark spot on each upper eyelid. 

 A dark spot or spots in interorbital space. Top of head ahead of eye 

 with several fairly large spots. Spots most distinct and numerous 

 from nostril to base of muscular part of the tail, being on the sides 

 interspersed with light pinkish cinnamon or pinkish buff. This color 

 is present on muscular tail and slightly on upper and lower crests as 

 small clusters. This light pinkish cinnamon or pinkish bufi merges 

 into the block color of the belly which is cream-buff, colonial buff, or 

 naples yellow. This block color breaks up in gill or branchial region 

 becoming clusters of fine dots or spots. Below eye to either side of 

 branchial region is some light vinaceous cinnamon or vinaceous fawn. 

 Middle of branchial region without this color. Mental region without 

 these colors but with a slight fine dark specking of black lines. 



Background color of the tail mignonette green. Upper crest and 

 muscular part with large spots of black. Lower crest without large 

 distinct spots except at the tip. 



Iris rim around pupil orange or cadmium orange to light cadmium. 

 Rest of iris black with mignonette green or apple green fine dots. 



General appearance. — Tadpole large (84.0 mm.), full, and deep- 

 bodied. Venter strongly pigmented so that viscera do not show 

 through in life or in preserved condition. Tail long, tip obtuse or 

 acute. Dorsal crest in depth sometimes equal to or greater than the 

 depth of the musculature and extending on to body somewhat ahead 

 of the vertical of the buds of the hind limbs. Spiracle sinistral, 

 directed upward and backward. Spiracle distinctly below the lateral 

 axis. Eye above or slightly on lateral axis, and near lateral outline 



