3-12 



LOWER VEIi TEBllA TES. 



bimut, in ■\vLicIi llie lioad and body occasionally attain a length of eight inehes. The 

 common species of Europe are the Jlana escxdenta and the Rana ternporaria. The 

 former is a green species with numerous glandular ridges of the dorsal integument. 

 The R. temporaria has but two dermal ribs, one on each side of the back, and is of a 

 pale brown, more or less marked with dark brown. It has a black patch on the side 

 of the head, which includes the tympanic drum. It has a wide distribution, extend- 

 ing, under varietal forms, to Japan, California, and the eastern United States. In the 

 last named region it is the sub-species Rana silvatica of American naturalists. It 

 differs from the other American Ranee in its avoidance of water, except during the 



i'lo. 205.— A'u 



breeding season, and in its ]jreference for dry woods. There its light brown colors 

 readily conceal it among the fallen leaves. It takes enormous leaps, and is difficult to 

 catch on that account. 



There are five species of Rana in the eastern United States, including the R. sllca- 

 tica, which represents the R. temporaria. One of these is the R. halecina. Its colors 

 vary from dark olive to bright green, and its upjier regions are always marked with 

 brown spots which may or may not be light bordered. It has several rows of dermal 



