1 49 



influence certain ponds as to arouse the hibernating animals earlier than 

 in others, such, for instance, as a large inflow of warin surface water 

 into a small pond, or the effect produced by the reflection of the sun's 

 rays from rocks surrounding it. 



Three species at least of tree toads have been noticed in this 

 vicinity, but only one actually placed, the common Tree Toad [flyla 

 versicolor), of which several young specimens were seen on small pines 

 on ITth May. A few full grown specimens were met with during the 

 summer. The study of the tree toad is desirable, as there is no record 

 of the varieties in this vicinity. Mr. Harrington reports having taken 

 a smaller yellowish tree toad whilst beating shrubbery for insects. It 

 is apparently not so abundant as Ilijla versicolor, and he thinks it is //. 

 Pickeringii, Pickering's tree toad of Polbbook. It would be desirable to 

 have a good series of frogs and toads, snakes and lizards collected, so 

 that the varieties and species might be separated. 



The study of snakes and the dates of their first appearance and 

 hibernation in this district has not yet been specially taken up, as far as 

 ■we are aware. Both Mr. W. L. Scott and Mr. Harrington are working 

 with a view to presenting notes and lists to the Society at some future 

 day on this subject. Mr. Harrington, on 6th May, observed quite a 

 gathering of snakes in Stewart's bush amongst some loose stones, 

 beneath which they had probably hibernated, fully two dozen being 

 seen within a radius of a few yards. Amongst them he noticed three 

 ring- necked snakes {DiadopMs punctatus), one young and the others 16 

 to 19 inches long respectively; several large red-bellied snakes {Storeria 

 occipltoinaculata) about ten inches long, and a number of young snikes 

 one-third that length ; also several garter snakes (Eutcenia sirtalis) 

 about 15 inches in length. 



On May 8th, Mr. Harrington found a specimen of the viscid sala- 

 mander {Plethodon c/lutinosus^, Baird) under a rotten log, and on 19th 

 May five specimens of a pretty blue spotted salamander about three 

 inches long under pieces of board and rubbish on the lower end of 

 Kettle Island. This is apparently JefTerson's salamander {^/imhlystoma 

 jeffersonianum, Baird). On 24th May, a number of small semiaquatic 

 salamanders were observed under stones at the edge of the rapids at 

 Hogsback, probably the yellow desmognath {DesmogaatJms ocrophd'a. 



