T&E TREE FROG. 33 



glandular granules of such a nature as to allow the 

 animal to adhere as well by these as by the toes. 

 It will even stick to a glass by pressing its belly 

 against it. 



Although during summer it inhabits the woods, 

 yet, about the end of autumn, it retires to the 

 waters, and lies concealed in a torpid state in the 

 mud or under the banks, till the spring ; when, on 

 the return of warm weather, it emerges, like the rest 

 of the genus, to deposit its spawn in the water. At 

 this period the male inflates its throat in a surprising 

 manner, forming a large sphere beneath its head. It 

 also exerts a very loud and sharp croak, that may be 

 heard to a vast distance. The tadpoles become per* 

 fected about the beginning of August, and they soon 

 afterwards begin to ascend the adjacent trees. 



During their residence in the trees, these frogs are 

 particularly noisy in the evenings on the approach 

 of rain. They are indeed so excellent as barome- 

 ters, that, if kept in glasses in a room, and supplied 

 with proper food, they afford sure presage of changes 

 of the weather *. 



In order to make some observations on the respi- 

 ration of the Reptile tribe, Dr. Townson had among 

 others some Tree Frogs, He kept them in a win- 

 dow, and appropriated to their use a bowl of water, 

 in which they lived. They soon grew quite tame ; 

 and to two that he had for a considerable length of 

 time, and were particular favourites, he gave the 



* Shaw's Gen. Zool. iii. 130. 

 VOL. Ill, D 



