1863.] MR. G. KREFFT ON THE BATRACHIANS OF SYDNEY. 381) 



vrnder side of a rock or stoue, and emerges in course of time as a per- 

 fect insect. Whenever I have squeezed the larva out, it has invariably 

 caused the death of the Frog. I know nothing of the geographical 

 distribution of this species, not having received specimens from other 

 parts of the country. 



Hyla peronii. 



Tolerably common. Frequently found under the loose, moist, 

 paper-like bark of the Tea- tree (Melaleuca!). The bright yellow 

 covering of the legs is soon lost in spirits. Like most Frogs, H. 

 jieronii has the power of changing colour ; and on a hot sunny day, 

 basking on some broad-leaved plant, it looks almost white. 



The present species appears to be distributed over almost every 

 part of the continent, from Tasmania to Port Essington. Speci- 

 mens from Port Macquarie, the Clarence River, Brisbane, Port Cur- 

 tis, and Port Denison are in the collection of the Australian Museum 

 at Sydney. 



Hyla ewingii. 



This pretty little Hyla is rather a rare species, and I do not think 

 that I ever found more than six or eight specimens of it, generally 

 under stones during the cold season. Dr. Giinther mentions it as 

 occurring in Tasmania and North-eastern Australia. 



Hyla servesiensis. 



Common near Sydney, in deep rocky places between ferns ; in 

 fact almost all my specimens were taken from between fern-clusters. 

 A constant visitor in "hothouses" at the Botanical Gardens, and 

 a great expert in the art of catching flies. I am unable to give an 

 account of the geographical range of this species. 



Hyla verreauxii. 



A rather rare Frog, which I have occasionaljy taken from under 

 the bark of the Tea-tree, and from under rocks in moist localities ; 

 never taken during the summer. No specimens from other parts of 

 Australia have as yet come under my notice. 



Hyla krefftii, Gthr. 



A very common species all over the eastern part of Australia. 

 Well known to every colonist on account of its shrill singing noise, 

 which almost resembles that of a Grasshopper ; and yet very few 

 persons have seen this Frog, as it frequents the high trees at night, 

 and sleeps under the bark during the daytime. Before and during 

 rain, thousands of these little creatures begin to whistle, producing a 

 most deafening noise, and puzzling every " new chum " who listens 

 to such a concert for the first time. During protracted dry weather 

 little or nothing is seen of this Frog ; but after the ground has be- 

 come thoroughly saturated, and pools have been formed under the 

 high trees, this species may be observed in thousands, in company 



