Ranidae 



except on the legs. The spots arc irregular in shape and arrange- 

 ment. Not only do the two sides of the frogs differ in the num- 

 ber, size and arrangement of the spots, but, what is more unusual, 

 the two legs are sometimes totally different in these respects. 

 (Fig. 219) The colouring is everywhere highly metallic in 

 character. The changes are not especially rapid. This species 

 of frog in Texas is often beautiful in a dress of light dove-grey or 

 fawn-colour. (See Colour Plate XII ) 



The male Rana sphenocephala has large vocal pouches, one 

 at each side, above the arm. These frogs are wild and active. 

 They leap long distances, and are difficult to catch. The species 

 is evidently a very distinct one, not intergrading with Rana 

 ■pipiens, but holding its own with the latter frog in the same 

 localities in the southern part of the United States. 



THE PICKEREL FROG 

 Rana palusiris Le Conte 



Identification Characteristics 



Colour: Brown, with two more or less regular rows of con- 

 spicuous squarish spots between the lateral folds, and two irregu- 

 lar rows of smaller spots on each side below the folds. Legs 

 barred or irregularly spotted. A conspicuous light line from 

 muzzle to shoulder. The upper jaw is yellowish, marked with 

 brown; the lower is white, marked with brown. The under- 

 parts are white in front, bright orange-yellow posteriorly. The 

 yellow may extend forward along the sides and outward under 

 the arms. (For colouration, see Colour Plate XIII.) 



Measurements: Size medium; male, 2 to 2h inches; female, 

 3 to 3^ inches. The legs are long, the distance from thigh to 

 heel equalling the combined lengths of head and body. The 

 ear is smaller than the eye. 



Structure: Two relatively' broad, non-elevated folds of skin 

 extending from the eyes backward — the lateral folds. There 

 are four folds of skin on the back between the lateral folds. These 

 are not coloured differently from the surrounding parts, as are 

 the lateral folds. The foot is distinctly webbed, but the webs 

 are deeply indented and two joints of the fourth toe are free. 



188 



