1868.] 197 [Allen. 



dusky), being presented while these remain the same; though this 

 power is doubtless often made use of by the animal to better effect 

 its concealment. The pattern of the markings, as previous writers 

 have observed, and also the depth of color, is very inconstant in the 

 toads and frogs, and in no species does it appear to be more so than 

 in this and Hyla Pickeringii. I cannot perceive that the Rana canta- 

 brigensis Baird,^ described from specimens sent him from Cambridge, 

 Mass., by Prof. Agassiz, differs from frequent specimens of our own 

 R. sylvatica. 



In respect to the time and manner of breeding of our frogs, I regret 

 to find that my notes are so incomplete. From observations made at 

 Springfield, I had put down R. sylvatica, R. clamitans and R. palustris 

 as breeding earliest of the Ranee, and at nearly the same time; much 

 earlier than R. halecina. In 1864 I found eggs in this last species as 

 late as April 23d — after the eggs of some of the others had hatched — 

 and doubted whether this species had then begun to spawn. 



As is well known, our frogs and toads pair and deposit their eggs 

 almost immediately on awakening from hibernation; generally, if the 

 weather be favorable, in one or two days, and sometimes, as in the 

 case of our Scaphiopus, in a few hours. Animation being partially 

 suspended during the winter, it does not seem so probable that the 

 eggs in the ovary should increase much in size during this period, as 

 that they would be found almost mature late in the fall. By actual 

 examination I have found the latter to be the case ; yet this interesting 

 fact, though probably not new to herpetologists, does not appear to be 

 generally known, as I have been unable to find any record of it. The 

 same thing, however, has been noted in a few instances in respect to 

 certain fishes that spawn early in the spring. The present year I 

 found females of H. Pickeringii in which, at the middle of September, 

 the ova were distinctly visible through the thin semi-transparent walls 

 of the abdomen. In several of the Ranee I have found in October 

 the ova of very nearly mature size. 



1 Proc. Phil. Acad. Nat. Sci., Vol. VII (Apr., 1854), p. 62. Prof. Baird's descrip- 

 tion is as follows : — 



" Bana cantabrigensis Baird. Above yellowish-brown. A dark vitta through 

 the eye, margined below by whitish. Lateral fold of skin light-colored, as is also 

 a median dorsal line extending from the snout to the anus. A narrow light line 

 along the posterior face of the thigh and leg. Tibia half the length of body. 

 General appearance and size of H. sylvatica. 



"Hah. Cambridge, Mass., (Collection of Prof. Agassiz)." 



