THE GREEN TREE-FROG. 



1G9 



SAVANNAH CRICKET FROG. Acris gryllus. 



uttering its cricket-like chirp with continual reiteration, even in captivity. Should it be 

 silent, an event sometimes greatly to be wished, it can at any time be roused to utterance 

 by sprinkling it with water. It is easily tamed, learns to know its owner, and will take 

 flies from his hand. 



This species frequents the borders of stagnant pools, and is frequently found on the 

 leaves of aquatic plants and of shrubs that overhang the water. It is not, however, 

 possessed of such strongly adhe- 

 sive powers as the true Tree- 

 Frogs, and is unable to sustain 

 itself on the under side of a leaf. 

 It is very active, as may be sur- 

 mised from the slender body and 

 very long hind-legs, and, when 

 frightened, can take considerable 

 leaps for the purpose of avoiding 

 the object of its terror. 



The colour of this species is 

 greenish brown above, diversified 

 by several large oblong spots 

 edged with white, and a streak 

 of green, or sometimes chestnut, 

 which runs along the spine and 

 divides at the back of the head, 

 sending off a branch to each eye. 

 The legs are banded with dark- 

 brown, and the under surface is 

 yellowish grey with a slight tinge 

 of pink. It is but a little creature, 

 measuring only an inch and a half 

 in length. 



Another species (Hyla Oarolinensis) is sometimes called by the same popular title, 

 because its voice, like that of the preceding species, bears some resemblance to that of a 

 cricket. Being one of the true Tree-Frogs, it is not a frequenter of the water, but proceeds 

 to the topmost branches of trees, and there chirps during the night 



ANOTHER family, containing the well-known Tree-Frog of Europe, has the toes webbed, 

 and the processes of the vertebrae flattened. The best-known species is the common GEEEN 

 TREE-FKOG of Europe, now so familiar from its frequent introduction into fern-cases and 

 terrestrial vivaria. 



This pretty creature is mostly found upon trees, clinging either to their branches or 

 leaves, and being generally in the habit of attaching itself to the under side of the leaves, 

 which it resembles so strongly in colour, that it is almost invisible even when its 

 situation is pointed out. When kept in a fern-case, it is fond of ascending the perpendi- 

 cular glass sides, and there sticking firmly and motionless, its legs drawn closely to the 

 body, and its abdomen flattened against the glass. 



The food of the Tree-Frog consists almost entirely of insects, worms, and similar 

 creatures, which are captured as they pass near the leaf whereto their green foe is adhering. 

 It is seldom seen on the ground except during the breeding season, when it seeks the water, 

 and there deposits its eggs much in the same manner as the common Frog. The tadpole 

 is hatched rather late in the season, and does not attain its perfect form until two full 

 months have elapsed. Like the Toad, the Tree-Frog swallows its skin after the change. 

 The common Tree-Frog is wonderfully tenacious of life, suffering the severest wounds 

 without seeming to be much distressed, and having even been frozen quite stiff in a mass 

 of ice without perishing. 



The followi? ^ interesting account of a young Tree-Frog is by Mr. G. S. Ulla- 

 thorne : 



