120 



HYLA VIRIDIS. 



occasional spots of brightest gold colour; a pale straw-coloured line begins under 

 the anterior part of the orbit, runs beneath the eye and tympanum, and is con- 

 tinued above the shoulder along the flanks to near the posterior extremities; this 

 line is partially visible on the posterior part of the upper jaw, giving it a whitish 

 appearance. The throat is yellowish-white; the thorax silvery; the abdomen 

 yellowish-white, and granulated. 



The anterior extremities are coloured like the body above, white below, with a 

 pale yellow line along the posterior border of the humerus, fore-arm, and carpus, 

 to the external finger; this line becomes very distinct only near the elbow; there 

 are four fingers, palmated to about one-sixth of their length, each ending in a 

 rounded pellet, by which the animal can sustain itself on smooth places. The 

 posterior extremities are very long, and green on the upper surface; the thigh is 

 yellow beneath, and granulated; the nates are flesh-colour, with a few dusky spots; 

 the leg is pale flesh-colour below, with a yellow line before and behind, which is 

 continued along the tarsus to the outer toe; there are five toes, palmated to four- 

 fifths of their length, the two external green above, the three internal dirty yellow, 

 each terminates in a rounded pellet, similar to those of the fingers. 



Dimensions. Length from snout to vent, If inches; of thigh, 8 lines; of leg, 

 8^ lines; of tarsus and toes, 1 inch 2 lines. 



Habits. These animals are found on trees, but most commonly about the 

 broad-leaved plants, as the Pontederia cordata, Nymphaia, &c.; they are also very 

 numerous in fields of Indian corn (Zea ma'is), where they conceal themselves from 

 their enemies by passing in between the broad green leaves of the plant, the 

 colour of which is so nearly their own, that it is not easy to find them. Here 

 they remain quiet and motionless during the heat of the day, but in the morning 

 or evening, or before a shower, they emerge from their hiding-places and become 

 very brisk and noisy. 



Their noise proceeds from a single note, which, at a little distance, is not unlike 



