TAILLESS BATRACHIANS 



231 



be distinguished from those of the preceding genus by 

 their vertical pupils. The tongue, which is oval in shape, 

 entire, or slightly nicked, is extensively free behind. The 

 fingers and toes are free or only slightly webbed, and the 

 tips are dilated into regular discs. These frogs are very 

 remarkable in the fact that 

 they are really quadrumanus ^ 

 the inner digits of both the 

 fore and hind limbs being 

 opposable to the others in a 

 monkey-like fashion, there 

 being little difference in ap- 

 pearance between hand and 

 foot. 



Ph. iheringii does not lay 



its eggs in the water, but 



deposits them on leaves over- 

 hanging stagnant ponds, into 



which the larvae fall when 



sufficiently developed. The 



egg-mass, containing large 



white ova, are wrapped up 



between two or three leaves, 



in such a manner as to be, 



but for a small inferior opening, completely enveloped. 

 According to Dr. von Ihering, the moderately loud voice 



of this creature resembles somewhat the sound produced 



by running the finger-nail over the teeth of a comb. It 



is only seen during the breeding season, as at other times 



it establishes itself high up in the trees. 



The six Tree-frogs of the genus Nototre^na, also of 



Tropical America, have all the characters of Hyla ; the 



Fig. 19. 



Eggs of Phyllomedusa 

 iheringii. 



{^After von Ihering.) 



