MANUAL OF FISH-CULTURE. 



257 



males and smaller in females. A fold of skin runs from tlie eye back- 

 ward, with a short branch from the tympanum to the shoulder. The 

 femur and tibia are equal in length, the web of toes not reaching end 

 of fourth toe. 



The color above is dark olive posteriorly, passing into brilliant green 

 anteriorly. It is sometimes greenish-brown above and on sides, with 

 small round brown spots. The buttocks are usually mottled with brown 

 and yellowish white, but are almost uniformly black in some specimens. 

 Below, this species, white or greenish white, sometimes more or less 

 mottled and blotched. The throat is citron yellow. 



This frog is especially aquatic in habits, not hunting on land; it fre- 

 quents all kinds of fresh waters. It is more solitary in its habits than 

 B. viresceiiSj living singly, in pairs, or in small companies. It is active 

 on land and in water, but not noisy. A nasal "chung" is occasionally 

 uttered. When disturbed it often emits a shrill cry as it leaps into 



Rana catetbiana. Upper fig- 

 ure female, lower fliure male. 



Rana clamata. Upper figure fe- 

 male, lower figure male. 



Figures illustrating relative size of the tympanum in the two sexes. 



the water. It is preeminently an inhabitant of swamps and marshes, 

 especially those connected with rivers or large creeks. "It is the first 

 species heard in spring, and although its voice is not loud, the noise 

 produced by thousands of them is deafening when heard close at hand, 

 and is transmitted through the atmosphere for many miles. It may be 

 imitated by the syllables cJiocl; choclc, chock.^^ 



Tlie pickerel frog, marsh frog, or tiger frog {Eana palustris) closely 

 resembles the leopard frog, but may be readily distinguished from it by 

 tlie bright yellow on the thighs and legs. It is solitary in its habits 

 and is often f(nind in the grass, although preferring cold spring streams. 

 In the Alleghany Mountains it is the most abundant frog. It is a very 

 active species, taking longer leaps than any of the others here mentioned. 

 The note is a prolonged, low, grating croak. Owing to its disagreeable 

 odor it is but rarely eaten. 



r. C. K. 1897 17 



