238 REPTILES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



have a brownish centre, a black circumference blending with 

 each other, and a bright green halo ; generally there are two 

 longitudinal rows of these blotches, which are continued the 

 whole length of the body ; sometimes these spots are very 

 regular, at other times, a third row may be seen, or the two 

 will have become confluent at their inner sides, or the spots 

 in the same row will have united with each other. Throat 

 and abdomen white. Eyes prominent ; pupils black ; irides 

 golden. On each side of the back, an elevated bronze colored 

 ridge passes from the eyes to near the extremity of the body. 

 A similar, but smaller ridge runs from the anterior angle of the 

 eye to the snout. On the outer side of the thighs, legs and 

 tarsus, the blotches are long, irregular, but arranged transverse- 

 ly, having the appearance of bands. Buttocks and posterior 

 surface of the thighs granulated and mottled with black. 

 Upper surface of the body finely corrugated with several 

 irregular cuticular folds, arranged longitudinally on the back. 

 Throat and belly smooth. Feet palmated ; the fourth toe 

 much larger than the others. All the fingers and toes with 

 tubercles on the inner surface of the joints. The body of this 

 species seldom exceeds four inches in length. 



This frog is generally found in damp places, a short distance 

 from water ; although, being a great leaper and hence enabled 

 to reach its wonted situations with ease, it is occasionally met 

 with at considerable distance from any pond or brook. 



R. palustris. Leconte. The Pickerel Frog. 



Ann. Lye. N. Y. vol. i. p. 282. 

 Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 105. 

 N. A. Herpet. vol. i. p. 93. 



Although Leconte applied the specific name of ^'' palus- 

 tris^^ to this quite common species, on account of its being- 

 found near salt marshes, it is as frequently, in this vicinity at 

 least, met with about the margins of fresh water brooks and 

 ponds, as in any other situations. It is a prettily marked spe- 

 cies, but much less brilliant in its colors than the preceding. 



