NOTES AND QUERIES. 



398 



shut with quite an unexpected snap. So it would appear that some 

 of the patent spring mouse-traps were long ago anticipated by the 

 Chinese, the only difference being in the material of which it is 

 constructed. — J. C. Kershaw. 



AMPHIBIA. 



Eggs of a Tree- Frog. — The egg-masses of a Chinese Tree-Frog 

 [Bhacophorus leucomystax) are found in great numbers on bushes over- 

 hanging pools and ponds in 

 the beginning of the wet or 

 hot season, as the eggs are 

 often hung above temporary 

 water which is only there at 

 that time of year. The egg- 

 masses are also attached to 

 reeds growing in the water 

 and other similar situations. 

 Some are much larger and 

 more irregular in shape than 

 the one figured. Some are 

 placed but a few inches above 

 the water, and others as much 

 as six feet. The colour is pale 

 yellow-ochre ; the texture to 

 sight and touch is much like 

 the spongy oothecee of certain 

 MantidcB, but on a large scale, 

 resembling burnt, frothy glue : 

 the mucus secretion from the 

 ovarian glands of the female. 

 Mantis ootheca) 



Egg-mass of Rhacophorus leuconujstax in frond 

 of fern (two-thirds of nat. size). 



The egg-masses are, however (like the 

 quite dry and firm as regards the exterior. The 

 numerous eggs are scattered in the substance of the interior. When 

 the eggs mature the whole mass collapses and elongates greatly, the 

 interior deliquesces, and the tadpoles fall into the water beneath in 

 a stream of dirty brownish liquid. The firmer texture of the exterior 

 or " skin" of the egg-mass remains for a few days, but finally dries 

 and shrivels up. The tadpoles acquire hind legs in about two months, 

 and fore legs in about three months. These Tree-Frogs are wonder- 

 ful quick-change artists, turning from pea-green — their normal colour 

 — through various shades of yellow to pale cream-colour or almost 

 white. At other times, under certain conditions, they become very dark 

 Zool. 4th ser. vol. XV., October, 1911. 2 H 



