21 



The eggs are laid in small bunches in shallow water, and the 

 metamorphosis is complete while the young are very small. 



Rana virescens virescens {Kalni) Cope. 



Leopard Frog. 



This is the Rana halecina of DeKay. 



Many of the country people in New England call this frog 

 " poison- toad," probably with reference to its bright colors 

 and dark spots, which to them would suggest those of some 

 serpents. It is really our most beautiful frog, varying from a 

 bright bronze along the lighter'lines when found near water, to 

 a green when captured in meadows. The species is widely 

 distributed, our subspecies forming one of four found in North 

 and Central America. One occurs in Florida and Georgia, one 

 in Mexico and one on the southern and western plains. Ours 

 is found from Maine to Texas. 



In our form there is a black spot on the top of each orbit and 

 several ovate spots ranging from black to dark olive in two 

 rows along the back. Two less distinct rows are seen along 

 the sides. On each side of the dorsal region is an elevated fold 

 of bright yellow, and a very bright bronze Hne runs from each 

 eye to the nose. The upper surface between the spots and 

 lines varies from a yellowish green to a general yellowish or 

 bronzed olive. The throat is whitish and the abdomen yellow- 

 ish. They differ from the following species {Rana palustris) 

 in the position of the vomerine teeth, the size and arrangement 

 of the spots, the number of glandular folds on the back, and 

 in having external vocal sacs in the males. Eyes large and 

 prominent, pupil black and iris golden yellow. 



This species appears very early in the spring and is most 

 frequently found in swampy places. Its voice is a guttural 

 chock-chock. 



Rana palustris Le Conte. 



Pickeree-Frog. 



In general appearance this frog differs from the leopard frog 



in having four thick folds on the back and four rows of spots. 



Color pale brown above, with longitudinal rows of square 



spots on back and flanks. Yellowish white beneath ; hinder 



