282 



In very warm and quiet evenings, in some localities, 

 these toads are found in great numbers shrieking in concert, 

 and can be heard at a greater distance than any of our frogs. 

 Whether this croaking is in any way connected with its ama- 

 tory habits, as is seen in the common toad, I am unable to 

 say, and in regard to its mode of living, I am entirely 'igno- 

 rant. I have as yet found it iiowhere but in quiet ponds, 

 where the water is warm, or on the shore near the banks. 

 I have notioed it in a mill pond, near the Walnut Grove 

 Cemetery in Danvers, on the farm of the late Judge Putnam. 



In closing this communication, I wish to present the fol- 

 lowing niotio]! : 



That a committee be raised to furnish a scientific descrip- 

 tion and figure of the reptile, ascertain its habits so far 

 as may 1)0 found practicable, propose a name for it, and re- 

 port to the Institute their doings at some future meeting. 



At this suggestion of Jlr. F., a committee, consisting of 

 Messrs. F. W. Putnam, Ricliard II. Wheatland, and S. P. 

 Fowler, was appoiiited. 



An animated discussion respecting the hybernation of the 

 toad, its supposed inVinunity from suffocation in closely con- 

 fined places and its long vitality when enclosed in rocks, 

 with inuiginative authentic accounts of sucli latter occur- 

 rences, was carried on by Dr. H. Wheatland, Dr. Henry 

 Perkins of Newburyport, F. W. Putnam, and B. F. Mudge. 

 The ostcological differences between the new species and 

 that of the common toad was shown by Dr. Wheatland, 

 by exhibiting two nicely prepared skeletons, and pointing 

 out, chiefly, liow they differed in the form and shajjo of the 

 skulls. The generic distinctions of Hyla, Bvfo and Rana 

 witli other genera of frogs and toads, were explained by F. 

 W, Putnam. This portion of the subject was submitted to 

 many queries, raised by Messrs. Messervy, of Salem, Dr. 

 George Osgood of Danvers, Dr. Perkins of Ncwburyport, 

 and which elicited remarks from the chair and others. 



Richard H. Wheatland, mentioned, having recently re- 

 ceived specimens of Pomotis rubricavda from several locali- 



