1895.] OF SOME TEEE-FBOGS OF BRAZIL. 93 



back, as well as the transverse dark bars of the hind legs, are very 

 distinct. 



In the literature at my disposal I can find only one figure of 

 Hyla faher — that given by Prince Maximilian \ underside and 

 lateral view. The figure is tolerable, and easily recognizable. 

 But concerning the underside I must remark that Hyla faber 

 exhibits a very beautiful orange tinge, and not the whitish colour 

 (due to spirit preservation) shown in the figure. 



Ihilci faher is easily kept alive for a considerable time, even 

 without special care ; it is a tolerably hardy Tree-Frog, and could 

 be, I am convinced, transported quite well, alive, to England, 

 especially during the European summer. 



I feel really happy to have succeeded in clearing up the natural 

 history of one of the most remarkable forms of tailless Batrachiaus 

 in South America, a Tree-Frog which will ever attract the 

 attention and curiosity of all lovers of nature. How many times 

 have I not been questioned as to the scientific name of this 

 " ferreiro," both by Brazilians and foreigners ; how often have they 

 not been alluded to in the books of travellers ! 



I find that Hensel observed in Eio Grande do Sul pools similar 

 to those above described, which he attributes to C'yst'ujnathua 

 ocellatus. The description makes me almost sure that the pools 

 seen by Hensel and by me had the same origin, and that the author 

 was wrong in his supposition. Hensel was a good naturalist, 

 but in this case I maintain most positively that, though C'ysti- 

 gmtthus ocellatus is very often to be found together with Hyla 

 faber in the same locality and pond, the nursery-pools in the 

 Serra dos Orgaos are constructions due to ffyla faber. I have all 

 the more reason to maintain this assertion against the authority 

 of the distinguished German naturalist, as I myself, prior to 

 1893, attributed the pools to Cystignathus. Beally the eri'or is 

 easy to understand, as during the day the most frequent Batra- 

 chian to be seen in these localities is the last-named big and well- 

 known frog, whilst Hyla faber works at the pools only during the 

 night, keeping hidden during the day. This mistake, as I think, 

 has been repeated by others on Hensel's authority (see Mr. 

 Boulenger's remarks in connection with Dr. von Ihering's note on 

 the oviposition of Phyllomedusa, Ann. & Mag. N. H, ser. 5, xvii. 



p. -1:64). 



2. Hyla poltt^ijia. Cope. 



Hyla rubicunclula, Giinther, nee Reinhardt et Liitken. 



The charming little Tree-Frog, of which an excellent figure 

 was given by Dr. Giinther in 1868 ^ is very frequent in the 

 Serra dos Orgaos. At Colonia Alpina half a dozen or more can 



1 ' Abbildungen zur Naturgeschichte Brasiliens,' tab. 49. 

 ^ " First Account of Species of Tailless Batrachians added to the Collection 

 of the British Museum," P. Z. S. 1868, pi. xl. fig. 3. 



