138 HYLODES OCULARIS. 



Dimensions. Length, 11 lines; thighs, 3?? Hues; leg, 31 lines; tarsus and toes, 

 6i- lines. 



Habits. Tliis beautiful little animal, the smallest of the frog kind with which 

 I am acquainted, is closely allied to the Hylodes gryllus in its habits, choosing 

 the same damp places for its abode, and is not unfrequently found on the leaves 

 of such low shrubs as inhabit the same localities, as the myrtle (Myrica cerifera); 

 and like the Ilylodes gryllus, too, it has the power of adhering to smooth 

 surfaces, though not so perfectly as the Hylse. 



Geographical Distribution. South Carolina and Georgia can only, for the 

 present, be given as the abode of the Hylodes ocularis, although doubtless it will 

 be found to have a much wider ranoe. 



"CJ^ 



General Remarks. I have chosen the specific name Ocularis for this animal, 

 from the black spot along the eye; and this has been done the more willingly, as 

 it is possible this animal may in the end prove to be the Hyla ocularis of Bosc 

 and Daudin, which Leconte thinks, however, is most probably only a variety of the 

 Hyla squirclla; and yet, as this animal is not unfrequently found on low bushes, 

 or leaps upon them when pursued, it is not impossible that Bosc might have 

 supposed it to be a real Hyla. Should it then turn out to be the Hyla ocularis of 

 Bosc, an additional synonyme will be saved; but if it is an undescribed animal, 

 which I believe, then the denomination Hylodes ocularis is well enough, as it 

 belongs to another genus. 



The members of this genus, Uke those of the last, are all diurnal in their habits, 

 or seek their food by daylight. They all delight in the heat of the sun, and the 

 brighter its rays, the more merry and noisy are they. They are all found near 

 water, or in darkish places, like the Ranoida, but are never observed sitting half 

 immersed in it, though they will conceal themselves by diving to the bottom when 

 pursued. 



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