62 NKW-YOKK FAUNA. 



THE SPRING FROG. 



Rana fontinalis. 



PLATE XXI. FIG. 54, a. 



Rana fontinalis. Common Spring Frog. Le Conte, Ann. Lye. Vol. I, p. 282. 

 R. flavi-viridis, var. Harlan, Am. Jour. Vol. 10 ; Acad. Sc. Vol. 5, p. 338. 

 R. id. Harlan, Med. and Phys. Res. p. 103 and 220. Smith, Hitchcock's Catologue, p. 14. 



R. fontinalis. HoLBRooK, N. Am. Herp. Vol. 3, p. 85, pi. 16; and Vol. 4, p. 87, pi. 21 of 2d Ed. Storer, Mass. Rep. p. 

 _ 237. 



Characteristics. Bright green, with obsolete dark-colored .spots on the flanks ; throat yellow. 

 Beneath white. Length 3-4 inches. 



Description. Body robust. Snout somewhat obtusely pointed. Orbits very prominent. 

 Tympanum large, suboval, with a central elevation. Skin smooth on the dorsal and abdomi- 

 nal surfaces, obsoletely granulated on the sides. On each side of the back is a strong cuti- 

 cular fold, extending from the posterior part of the orbit, touching the upper margin of the 

 tympanum, and reaching to the posterior part of the body. 



Color. Brilliant green above, which also extends with a somewhat darker shade over the 

 posterior parts of the body, and the outer parts of the extremities. Belly pearly white. 

 Throat yellow, somewhat passing into orange. Tympanum chesnut or chocolate-brown, the 

 central elevation gi-een. Thighs obscurely barred with black, or in their place interrupted 

 series of dusky spots. Buttocks and posterior part of the thighs mottled with black. Irides 

 golden, with a bright yellow ring. 



Length 3-0 -4-0. 



The Spring Frog is one of our commonest species, and is that usually eaten as a delicacy. 

 It lives in the vicinity of clear pools and running streams, and leaps into them when disturbed. 

 It feeds upon water insects, and such others as may approach its neighborhood. It is one of 

 the earliest that appears in spring. In its geographical range it must be considered as a 

 northern species, being found in all the northern and middle States. Dr. Holbrook informs 

 me that it is not found south of Virginia. 



THE MARSH FROG. 



Rana palusthis. 



plate xxil fig. 60. — (state collection.) 



Rana palustris. Le Conte, Ann. Lye. Vol. 1, p. 282. 



R.pardaUs. Harlan, Am. Jour. Vol.10, p. 50. 



R. palustris. Id. Ac. Sc. Vol. 5, p. 339 ; Med. and Phys. Res. p. t04 and 222. 



R. id. Holbrook, N. Am. Herpetology, Vol. 1, p. 93, pi. 14; and Vol. 4, p. 95, pi. 23 of 2d EJ. 



Pickerel Frog. Stoker, Mass. Report, p. 238. 



Characteristics. Four rows of dark quadrate spots on the back and sides. Under sides of the 

 thighs yellow. Length three inches. 



