132 HYLODES GRYLLUS. 
The nostrils are lateral, and nearly midway between the orbits and the snout. 
The eyes are large and prominent, the pupil black, the upper half of the iris 
brightest golden, the lower black. The upper jaw is dusky, with a yellowish- 
white line from the posterior and inferior border of the orbit to the axilla. The 
chin and throat are yellowish-white. 
The body is much elongated, slender, and dusky above, with a vertebral line of 
bright green, or sometimes reddish-brown, which bifurcates at the occiput and 
runs to the superior part of the orbits of the eyes. On each side of this vertebral 
line are two or three large oblong spots, with white margins. ‘The flanks are 
‘grey; the thorax and abdomen are silver-white. 
The anterior extremities are small and delicate, dusky above, with a black 
blotch near the elbow; beneath they are clouded white; there are four fingers, 
distinct, very delicate, and shghtly developed at the extremities. The posterior 
extremities are very long, dusky above, and barred with black; the lower surface 
is dirty flesh-colour; there are five toes, long, and fully webbed, with their 
extremities still more rounded and developed. 
Dimensions. Length, 1 inch 6 lines; of thigh, 7 lines; of leg, 8 lines; of tarsus 
and toes, 1 inch 1 line. 
Hasirs. This is a merry little frog, constantly chirping like a cricket, even in 
confinement; it frequents the borders of stagnant pools, and is often found on the 
leaves of aquatic plants, and rarely on the branches of such low shrubs as 
overhang or dip in the water. It feeds on various kinds of insects, and makes 
immense leaps to secure its prey, or to escape its pursuers. It can easily be 
domesticated, and takes its food readily from the hand; I have kept several for 
months in a glass globe on a few sprigs of purslain, (portulacca oleracea,) 
feeding them occasionally with flies. Their chirp, at times, was incessant, and 
sprinkling them with water never failed to render them more lively and noisy. 
