THE B ATRAC Fir A OF NORTH AMERICA. 373 



IIYLA VERSICOLOR Lc Coute* 



Uyla versicoJor J. LeContc, Aun. N. Y. Lye, i (1825), 281 ; Harlao, Jouru. Ac. Nat. Sci., 

 Phila. V (1827), 343; Med. & Pbys. Res. (1835), 108; Holbrook, N. Auier. Herp., 

 1st ed., I (1836), 101, xvii, and 2d ed., iv (1842), 115, xsviii; Storcr, Rcptil. 

 Mass. (1839), 241 ; Dum. & Bibr., Erp. Gen., viii (1841) ; De Kay, N. Y. ZooL, in, 

 Reptn. (1842), 71, XXI, fig. 53 A ; Thompson, Nat. Hist. Vt. (1842), 122; Giiutlier, 

 Cat. Batr. Sal. Brit. Mns., 1868, p. 103; Bouleuger, I. c, ed. 2, 1882, p. 372. 

 Dendroliyas versicolor Tschudi, Batrachia, p. 75. 

 Hyla richardi Baird, Proceed. Ac. Phila., 1854, p. 60 (young). 



Note. — Ryla verrucosa Daud., Hist. Rain. Gren. Crap., 33, PI. iv, is referred to 

 this species by Dum. &, Bibr. The description, however, applies equally 

 well to several species, and in several points differs entirely from H. versicolor. 

 The locality of if. verrucosa is unknown. 



Male. — Body stout and cluuisy. Head short, much broader than long ; 

 limbs short. Outline of lower jaw nearly semicircular ; of upi)er, some- 

 what angulated. Tympanum rather large, about one-half the diameter 

 of eye 5 a moderate fold of skin above it. Tongue large, nearly orbicu- 

 lar ; notched behind, where it is free for half its length. Vomerine teeth 

 in two transversely linear patches, extending between the posterior 

 nares, with a slight interval between them, sometimes scarcely separat- 

 ing into two parts. Eyes large, protuberant. 



The bases of the vomerine protuberances are in a line with the cen- 

 ters of the nares ; the posterior edge of the teeth themselves a little be- 

 hind the posterior margin of the nares. Eustachian ai)ertures larger 

 than the inner nares. No papilla behind the external nares. 



Anterior limbs short, stout; fingers broad, dilated into broad disks; 

 that on third finger nearly equal to the tympanum in diameter. 



The web is more extended than in other species in the United States, 

 in a female specimen leaving the two last joints only free. The disk 

 of the inner finger is smaller than the rest. Tibia reaching half-way 

 from the anus to the eye; longer than the hind feet, and equal to the 

 arm from elbow. The heel of the extended hind leg reaches only to 

 the posterior edge of the orbit. The third and fifth toes are nearly 

 equal in length ; the disks of the second and first are less developed 

 than the rest. 



In hind feet the membrane extends in a narrow margin all the way 

 to the disks ; membrane cut out along the two last joints of the longest 

 toe and of the others along the inner edge, although specimens vary 

 in the amount of this excision. All the fingers and toes are much 

 depressed, and exhibit the Hyla character more than the other Ameri- 

 can species. 



The entire animal is warty, or covered with coarse tubercles, with 

 finer intermixed, except on the region of the loins and anterior and 

 posterior faces of the thighs. Beneath, with distinct granules in a 

 prominent and well-defined pavement ; less conspicuous on the throat, 

 neck, and palms. There is a very distinct and prominent fold of skin 

 across the breast. The color is very variable with different specimens 

 and circumstances. Above ash-gray, white, or brown. Above each 



* Plate 64. ~ 



