106 RANAD.E. 



rature, the presence or absence of light, and the influence 

 of fear, and perhaps of other causes of mental excitement, 

 although certainly much less striking and considerable, are 

 scarcely less varied than those exhibited by the chameleon. 

 The causes of these changes have not, I believe, been ex- 

 amined, but the subject well deserves a careful and minute 

 investigation. 



The whole of the family to which this species belongs are 

 liable to great variety of colour, and even of marking ; but 

 there are certain limits beyond which these variations do 

 not extend, which although not always easily expressed in 

 the few words which are convenient for a specific diagnostic 

 phrase, are yet easily recognised by the eye, when once well 

 and sufficiently observed. 



It is generally brown, inclining more or less to yellowish 

 or reddish brown on the upper side, spotted irregularly with 

 black, brown, or brownish grey, with transverse fascise, 

 which vary in number, of the same colour on the legs ; be- 

 neath, yellowish white, sometimes with spots similar to 

 those on the back, but smaller and fewer. " The most con- 

 stant mark," as Mr. Jenyns well observes, " is an elongated 

 patch of brown, or brownish black, behind the eyes, on 

 each side of the occiput : there is also generally more or 

 less indication of a whitish line running longitudinally 

 down each side of the back, and enclosing a space paler 

 than the adjoining regions." 



Inch. Lines. 



Total length of the head and body . .28 



Length of the head _ . . . .08 



hinder leg . 40 



fore leg . ;* "*"->. .15 



It has been long observed by several naturalists that a 

 Frog exists in Scotland, of a much larger size than the 



