FAMILY RANIDJE. 61 



of the eye black ; irides green. Tympanum green, willi an outer circle of brown. Abdomen 

 yellowish white. Fore legs greenish brown above, with dusky spots occasionally assuming 

 the form of transverse bars. Hind legs brownish or dusky green above, yellowish white 

 beneath, with obscure irregular dusky bars, or spotted with the same. 



Length of the body, 4-0 - 12-0. 



Ditto of hind legs, 2-5- 7-0. 



The Bullfrog is one of the largest of the family in this State, and appears to be generally 

 distributed throughout the Union. It is well knovra by its hoarse voice, compared by many 

 to the roaring of a bull, and which is so loud as to be heard at a great distance. It is entirely 

 aquatic, although it occasionally comes to land. In the adult state, it feeds on insects, craw- 

 fish, helices, and small fish. The Tadpole, on the other hand, appears to be exclusively her 

 bivorous. I have noticed this species some distance below Montreal, and I think in the vicinity 

 of Trois Rivieres. With its southern limits I am unacquainted. It occurs in Ohio. 



THE LARGE NORTHERN BULLFROG. 



Rana horiconensis. 

 PLATE XXn. FIG. 62. 

 Rana horiconensis. HoLBROOK, N. Am. Herpotolog)', Vol. 3, p. 9\, pi. 18 ; Vol. 4, p. 83, pi. 19, 2d Ed. 



Characteristics. Dark olive, with irregular black blotches. A longitudinal cuticular fold on 

 each side. Length three to four inches. 



Description. Body very stout, with an elevated cuticular fold running from the orbits on 

 the sides of the posterior extremities. Nostrils small, lateral, and placed nearer the snout 

 than to the orbits. Eyes large and prominent. Tympanum large, circular. Fore legs robust, 

 four-toed. Hind legs much longer, the posterior part of the thigh granulated ; five-toed, and 

 fully palmated. 



Color. Body dark olive brown, varied with irregular black spots above ; silvery white 

 beneath. An indistinct bluish band extends from near the snout, under the tympanum, to the 

 shoulders. Chin and throat white. Fore legs dusky above. Hind legs dark olive, with 

 narrow dusky bars. Pupil black ; iris golden, reticulated with black. Length 3*5. 



For a knowledge of this species wc arc indebted to Dr. Holbrook, who obtained his speci 

 mens from Lake George in this State. The Indian name of that lake (Horicon), suggested 

 the trivial name. I saw them in great numbers in the lakes emptying into the Raquet river, 

 but until I met with Holbrook's description, had supposed them to be varieties of the preced- 

 ing. To this it is closely allied in size, voice and habits ; but its cuticular fold is a strong 

 distinctive mark. Its note is more sonorous, and in a lower key. It is believed to be strictly 

 a northern species. The mehnwta of Harlan, appears closely allied. Dr. Harlan, it would 

 seem, never saw the species, and the author he cites is utterly unworthy of credit. 



