TAILLESS BATRACHIANS 



231 



be distinguished from those of the preceding genus by 

 their vertical pupils. The tongue, which is oval in shape, 

 entire, or slightly nicked, is extensively free behind. The 

 fingers and toes are free or only slightly w^ebbed, and the 

 tips are dilated into regular discs. These frogs are very 

 remarkable in the fact that 

 they are really quadrumanus, 

 the inner digits of both the 

 fore and hind limbs being 

 opposable to the others in a 

 monkey-like fashion, there 

 being little difference in ap- 

 pearance between hand and 

 foot. 



Ph. iheringii does not lay 

 its eggs in the water, but 

 deposits them on leaves over- 

 hanging stagnant ponds, into 

 which the larvae fall when 

 suf^ciently developed. The 

 egg-mass, containing large 

 white ova, are wrapped up 

 between two or three leaves, 

 in such a manner as to be, 

 but for a small inferior opening, completely enveloped. 



According to Dr. von Ihering, the moderately loud voice 

 of this creature resembles somewhat the sound produced 

 by running the finger-nail over the teeth of a comb. It 

 is only seen during the breeding season, as at other times 

 it establishes itself high up in the trees. 



The six Tree-frogs of the genus Nototrema, also of 

 Tropical America, have all the characters of Hyla ; the 



Fig. 19. — Eggs of Phyllomedusa 

 iheringii. 



{After von Ihering.) 



