2648 FROGS AND TOADS 



shadow. By and by we discovered the ferreiros, some at work, others drumming 

 together on the walls of some pool, or in the middle of the pond, sitting upon some 

 floating object, such as water plants. The vocalists, of which we could distinguish 

 the moderately-inflated gular sacs, were all males." After stating that he was 

 posted on a side of the pond where five nests were already situated, Dr. Goeldi ob- 

 serves that he and his companion were fortunate enough to see the rising of a new 

 nest. In a certain spot he writes that " we first saw some slight movement in the 

 water, produced by something stirring below the surface. We then soon saw a 

 mass of mud rising to the surface, carried by a tree frog, of which no more than the 

 two hands emerged. Diving again, after a moment's time, the frog brought up a 

 second mass of mud, near the first. This was repeated many times, the result be- 

 ing the gradual erection of a circular wall. From time to time the head and front 

 part of the body of the builder appeared suddenly with a load of mud at some point; 

 but what astonished us in the highest degree was the manner in which the frog 

 used its hands for smoothing the mud wall, as would a mason with his trowel. 

 And by examining the hands of this hyla, it will readily be understood how they 

 are most serviceable trowels, their terminal joints bearing large expansions. This 

 careful process of smoothing could be better observed as the wall gradually height- 

 ened, until it reached about four inches, when the frog was compelled to come 

 out of the water. The parapet of the wall receives the most careful smoothening, 

 the outside being neglected, and the leveling of the bottom attained by the action 

 of the lower surface of the creature's body, aided by the hands. The aspect of the 

 pool may be compared to the crater of a volcano, or a vessel of a foot in diameter 

 filled with water. Although the female undertakes the entire task of building, she 

 is incommoded the whole time by the male sitting on her back. Should he be 

 frightened from his post, he will soon emerge from the water at a distance of a few 

 feet, when, if signs of danger be wanting, he will climb the walls of the nest and 

 regain his original seat." 



Another Brazilian tree frog of the same genus (H. goeldii) .breeds in the water 

 contained in the central cup of certain trees belonging to the Bromeliaceez . Dr. 

 Goeldi states that the first specimen found was a female, earring on her back a 

 large globular mass of whitish eggs. When put in a vivarium, " for a few days the 

 egg mass remained attached to the mother's back. But suddenly it fell away, and 

 simultaneously I saw in the glass some small, nearly black colored frogs, all pro- 

 vided with the anterior and posterior legs, together with a larval tail of medium or 

 rather small size." 



Yet another tree frog from Brazil (H. nebulosa] has acquired the re- 

 markable habit of depositing its eggs in the sheaths of old and decaying 

 leaves of bananas. The writer from whom we have been quoting states that 

 this frog ' ' glues its lumps of eggs on the edges and on the inside of banana 

 leaves, where, even during the hot hours of the day, sufficient coolness and 

 moisture are preserved. These lumps are inclosed in a frothy, whitish sub- 

 stance, comparable to the scum formed by certain Cicadidce . Sometimes the tailed 

 larvae are seen struggling in this frothy mass. If put into fresh water, all will die 

 in a few hours." 



