AMPHIBIA. E31 



the Antilles these frogs are reared in a state of domestication, 

 and said to become familiar. 



The genus Ceratoplirys, (Gr. horned eye-lid,) includes frogs 

 of beautiful colors, found in South America, having a granular 

 or tuberculous skin, with the edge of the upper eye-lid prolonged 

 to a point, resembling a horn. The species C. granosa, (Lat. 

 full of grains,) is figured on the Chart. 



The PAINTED FROG, Discoglossus, (Gr. orb-like tongue,) pic- 

 tus, is somewhat remarkable for its rounded tongue, and the 

 markings of its skin. 



The THIMBLE FROGS, Dactylethra, are a peculiar kind of 

 Frogs found in Africa, and deriving their name from having 

 some of their toes enveloped at their tips by a conical horny 

 claw or cap. 



The TREE FROGS, (Hyladce,) are arboreal in their habits, and 

 capable of leaping, like birds, among the branches. They are 

 described as beautiful, both in form and coloring. The foot of 

 these Frogs differs in its structure from that of the other animals 

 that make their home in trees ; it is not a grasping organ, nor is 

 it furnished with claws for clinging, but has suckers somewhat 

 like those we have described as belonging to the Gecko. The 

 enlarged and rounded tip of each finger, both of the fore and 

 hind paws, has an apparatus consisting of a little cushion moist 

 with a thick glutinous fluid, and applying itself so closely to the 

 surface it touches, as to support the animal's weight. It disen- 

 gages or fixes its fingers at will. The cushioned apparatus is like 

 an air-pump at the extremities of the fingers, giving the animal 

 the ability to walk on the ceiling, on the polished surface of a 

 mirror, even to suspend itself by one finger, if so disposed. 

 Tree Frogs are numerous in some of the Southern, and Western 

 States. The frogs of the genus Hyla, (Gr. hule, a wood,) differ 

 from the common frog, (Rana,) in the greater length of the hind 

 legs, and also in the male having a membranous sac under the 

 throat, which is distended during their hoarse and oft-repeated 

 croaking. So alert are these Frogs that they have been known 

 to clear an interval of twelve feet in descending from one branch 

 to another. Their leaps are also made with much address and 

 precision, indicating great distinctness and power of vision. 



It must not be supposed that these Frogs pass all their lives 

 on trees. On the contrary, like others of the race, they are at 

 first aquatic animals, and when adult, visit the water to deposit 

 their eggs, which is generally done in April. They also hyber- 

 nate in the mud at the bottom of lakes and marshes. At this 

 time their croakings are so loud and discordant, that " they might 



