REPTILES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 237 



upper part of the anterior portion of the body, of a brilliant 

 green color ; posterior portion of the body slightly macu- 

 lated, greenish, mixed with brown ; sides granulated, brown, 

 mottled with irregularly formed and distributed black blotches ; 

 beneath the throat, yellowish, abdomen white. Head one 

 inch long ; snout blunted and yellowish at the extremity. 

 Eyes very prominent ; pupils black ; irides metallic, encircled 

 by a brilliant golden ring. Nostrils nearer to the eyes than 

 to the mouth. Gape of the mouth large, upper jaw with many 

 minute teeth. Tympanum plane, circular, rust colored ; four 

 lines in diameter. From the posterior angle of the eye a cuti- 

 cular fold extends just over the tympanum, along the edge of 

 the back on each side, to the posterior part of the body. 



Anterior feet fawn colored above, with several indistinct 

 transverse brownish bands ; a dark colored band along the pos- 

 terior edge of the leg, extending on to the sole of the foot. 

 Feet four toed. 



Posterior extremities of a darker brown color than the an- 

 terior ; thighs with indistinct bars upon their outer portions ; 

 buttocks covered over their whole surface with irregularly dis- 

 tributed black blotches ; beneath, a dull white ; legs and feet, 

 same color as the extremities of the thighs. Feet five toed. 



R. halecina. Kalm. The Leopard Frog. 



Shaw's Gen. Zoology, vol. iii. p. 105. 



Journal Academy Nat. Sciences, vol. v. p. 337. 



N. A. Herpet. vol. i. p. 89, et fig. 



This most beautiful species, called by Kalm the shad frog^ 

 from its appearing in Pennsylvania in the spring of the year, 

 with the shad, is better known in this state as the leopard frog, 

 from its ocellated appearance. It is exceedingly well marked, 

 and considered by all a very pretty animal. 



The upper part of the back, and external side of the limbs, 

 brassy, with a metallic lustre. Upper surface of the body, 

 marked with large distinct irregular spots or blotches which 



