THE ANOURA OF NEW BRUNSWICK, 15 



observe it on P. E. Island, but the latter found it abundant on 

 the Gaspe peninsula in the summer of 1898, where it largely re- 

 places i?. damata. A hardier form than the latter, more active, 

 and possessing properties and instincts which tend to the better 

 preservation of the species, the Mink Frog will likely be found 

 supplanting the latter in the more northern Atlantic coast regions 

 of Canada. 



Rana fontinalis Le Conte. 



The Spring Frog. 



The Spring Frog is an aquatic species as suggested by the 

 specific designation. As already stated it evinces a strong ten- 

 dency to variation and exhibits many diverse types ; indeed 

 scarcely two individuals can be found to agree in all respects. 

 Consequently it is difficult to classify ; and herpetologists guided 

 simply by a knowledge of local forms and not having access to 

 extensive collections, have frequently mistaken varieties for new 

 species, so that four or five were established and the nomencla- 

 ture and description of the species greatly muddled. Indeed so 

 different do its members appear that the fixing of a type would 

 seem rather the result of an implied understanding or conven- 

 tion of naturalists than of fixity and predominance of certain 

 specific characters. 



The type most frequently met in the province shows a stout 

 thick body with stout strong legs. The colour above varies from 

 l)rownish olive to dark brown with a few black roundish ^i)ots 

 on the back and sides ; throat citron yelloAV with dusky reticu- 

 lations, and under parts yellowish white. The tympanum or 

 eardrum is large, exceeded only by that of the Bull-frog, and 

 the skin is rough and pustular. 



This form predominates in the northern parts of the province, 

 in forest spring, lakes, along streams and rivers, and generally 

 wherever the conditions are suitable. It is no uncommon thing 

 to find it i)opping up its head in some Avarm spring in January, 

 with the snow covering the ground to the depth of two or three 

 feet. Indeed the dih'erence between the summer and winter tem- 

 perature of euch boiling springs must be quite insignificant. 



Another type, frequently found in the neighbourhood of cool 



