Frogs and Toads 



601 



Photo by Scholastic Photo. Co.] [Parson's Green. 



ORNAMENTED HORNED TOAD. 

 The bite of this toad is highly venomous. 



into which it retires during- the months of 



drought, rushing out into the hollows filled 



by the thunder- showers while the rain is still 



actually falling. Even during the long drought 



these frogs continue their croakings from their 



retreats at night, and are very misleading to 



travellers, who customarily associate their 



presence with the immediate neighbourhood of 



water. 



There is a remarkable difference in the 



voice-timbre of the various species of frogs. 



In England, with its one indigenous variety, 



comparisons cannot be instituted. In countries, 



however, like Australia, where numbers of species 



live in close proximity, the phenomenon is very 



marked. Some only give voice in the evening 



or night, while others keep up their clamour 



throughout the day; with some the note is 



metallic and almost bell-like, while one diurnal 



croaking species, which congregates in great 



numbers in the eastern Tasmanian coast district. 



emits a loud percussive note closely resembling 



that of a stone-breaker's hammer. On several 



occasions, in fact, when driving through the areas these frogs frequented, the impression 



produced by their croaking was so realistic that the next turn in the road was expected to 



reveal the presence of a large gang of road-makers engaged in negotiating a wayside stone-heap. 

 One of the most remarkable species is the FLYING-FROG of Java. The power of flight is 



simulated in this instance on a different principle to that which obtains in any other group. 



It is not accomplished through the medium of abnormally produced ribs with connecting 



membrane, as occurs in the Flying-lizards ; nor by means of a flap of skin stretched between 



the fore and hind limbs, as in the Flying-squirrels and Phalangers. In place of these the toes 



of all four feet are abnormally prolonged, and their interspaces bridged over to their tips by 



webbing. The body of this frog is about 4 inches long, while the webs of the feet, when fully 



expanded, cover collectively an area of fully 12 square inches; they thus constitute aerial floats, 



which enable their owner to make prodigiously long flying leaps among the trees in which it 



takes up its abode. The colours of this singular 

 species are striking ; the back and limbs are a 

 deep shining green, the under-surface and inner 

 toes yellow, and the webs black rayed with yellow. 

 In common with the typical Tree-frogs, the toes 

 of this Javan flying variety all terminate in a 

 dilated adhesive disk. 



Among the oddities of the Frog Tribe 

 prominence may be given to the singular SHORT- 

 HEADED FROGS of East Africa. In these the head 

 is so short, and the body, when puffed out, so 

 nearly globular, that they have been aptly 

 described as more nearly resembling india-rubber 

 balls than frogs. Another notable form, inhabiting 

 Chili, is remarkable for the circumstance that 

 the throat-sac of the male is so enlarged and 

 modified as to form a chamber on the under 



76 



Photo by W. P. Dando, F.Z.S.~[ [Regent's Park 



ORNAMENTED HORNED TOAD. 



Is accustomed to prowl round farmyards to pick up stray chicks 

 and ducklings. 



