71 



marked. The sides usually with distinct marblings of brown. The 

 thighs may be spotted as well as the rest of the leg and foot. The lower 

 surfaces may be almost devoid of any brown markings, or they may be 

 conspicuously present on throat, breast, belly and legs. The hinder part 

 of the thighs is usually mottled and blotched. 



Distribution, Eastern North America to the Rocky Mountains. Every- 

 where in Indiana. 



This species lives in the waters of our brooks, rivers and lakes. It 

 probably never strays away from the vicinity of the water in the search 

 of food. Its loud voice has given it its popular name of "Bull-frog." 

 Prof. Cope says that its notes may be imitated by utturing a bas& 

 "br'wum" several times in a hoarse voice in front of an empty cask. 

 Dr. J. H. Gardnier (^^, 1883, 954) says that he has heard the Bull-frog 

 at a distance of 5 or 8 miles. Authors tell us that when this frog is 

 whipped it will cry much like a child ; and Dr. Gardnier says that he 

 has known the Bull-frog to hold its mouth open and scream for more 

 than a minute, like a child in distress. These frogs are very voracious, 

 and seem to catch and swallow almost any living thing that they can pos- 

 sibly devour. They have been known to eat cray-fishes, small fish, insects^ 

 worms, snails, mice, and even their own species. One was observed to^ 

 be trying to swallow another of about half its size. Prof. J. A. Allere 

 tells us that one seized and swallowed a cedar bird which he had shot., 

 although the wings and tail continued to protrude out of the frog's- 

 mouth. Dr. Jos. Jones, of Georgia, reports having found in the stom^ 

 ach of one that he dissected a ' ' grass-snake " three feet long. Other 

 cases of the latter kind are on record. 



The tadpoles of these frogs, like those of R. clamata, require two years 

 for their complete development. It is possible that in some cases a 

 greater number of years is passed in the larval state. A larva of this» 

 species was found to have a total length of 4.5 inches, of which 2.8 was 

 tail. The general color above was dark olive green, below yellowish 

 white. 



This species is the one that is most relished as an article of diet. The 

 frogs are often caught with hooks baited with red flannel. 



Rana sylvatica, LeConte. 

 Wood Frog. 



Rana sylvatica, LeConte, 1825, 62, 282 ; Holbrook, 1842, J^, iv, 99^ 

 pi. 24; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 47; Cope, 1889, 51, 447, with figures. 



A rather slender and graceful frog, with a broad head and long legs. 

 Length of head contained in the length of head and body from 3 to 3.^ 

 times ; its width greater than its length and contained in body and head 



