BLUE FROG. Pelodrya* cceruleus. 



While in captivity, if unmolested, it spent a good deal of time motionless, squatting 

 flat and close, with shut eyes as 1 if sleeping, but sometimes it was active. I kept it in 

 a basin covered with a pane of glass, for facility of observation. It would keep its face 

 opposite the window, altering its position pertinaciously if the basin were turned, though 

 ever so gently. It took no notice of cockroaches, nor of a large flesh-fly, which buzzed 

 about it, and even crawled over its nose. If taken in the hand, it struggled vigorously, 

 so as to be with difficulty held; once or twice, while thus struggling, it uttered a feeble 

 squeak ; but if still retained, it would at length inflate the abdomen with air, apparently 

 a sign of anger. It leaped, but not far." 



THE very odd-looking species which is shown in the accompanying illustration is 

 the sole representative of a family, remarkable for having webbed toes, flattened processes 

 of the vertebrae, and glands at the back of the head. 



The BLUE FKOG, as it is called from its hue, inhabits Australia, and is not uncommon 

 at Port Essington, whence several specimens have been brought to this country. The 

 head of this species is broader than long, the muzzle short and rounded, and the gape 

 very large. The secreting glands at the back of the head are large, and extend in a curve 

 over the ear as far as the shoulder. They are pierced with a large number of pores, 

 a ad by their shape and dimensions give to the creature a very singular aspect. The 

 discs of the fore-feet are extremely large, and the toes of the hind-feet are about three- 

 quarters webbed. The colour of the Blue Frog is light uniform blue above, and below 

 silvery white. Its length is about three inches and a half. 



THE large and handsome BICOLOURED TKEE-FROG is the only species at present known 

 as belonging to the family. 



In this creature the toes are not webbed, but in other respects the form resembles that 

 of the preceding family, except perhaps that the processes of the vertebra are wider in 

 proportion to their volume. The Bicoloured Tree-Frog inhabits South America, Brazil, 

 and Guiana, and seems to be tolerably common. Possibly its bright and boldly con- 



