22 



part of thighs bright yellow, with black mottlings. Upper 

 part of thighs with transverse bands of dark brown which are 

 represented in Rana virescens virescens by dark olive oblong 

 blotches. The under surface of thighs is more granulated than 

 in the leopard frog, and the mottled yellow of hinder part is 

 replaced in the latter by flesh color. 



Habitat, cold streams and grassy meadows. Voice, a low, 

 prolonged croak. 



Rana clamata Daudin. 

 Green Frog ; Spring-Frog. 



This is the Rana fontinalis of DeKay. 



This is our common green frog, found near or in every 

 body of water from small brooks to rivers and ponds. Before 

 the metamorphosis is fully completed a ridge or fold of skin 

 extends along the sides from behind each eye, sharply distin- 

 guishing the species from the bullfrog, which has no such 

 folds and in general appearance is round-bodied and stouter. 

 The adult growth reaches from three to four inches, while the 

 bullfrog attains from seven to eight in length of head and 

 body. The young generally complete the metamorphosis when 

 about one and one-half inches long, the bullfrog often remain- 

 ing without limbs until nearly twice this size. 



Body stout but not so bulky and clumsy as that of the bull- 

 frog. Head acute, round and deep. 



The young require two years to mature and the metamor- 

 phosis is readily retarded by keeping them in cold water 

 removed from light. 



Color greenish to greenish brown, with indistinct blotches 

 on back, sides and limbs. Frequently the chin and throat are 

 finely netted or spotted with brown. When jumping from the 

 bank they give a sharp, squeaking cry and generally dive with 

 a loud splash. They are decidedly voracious. A specimen of 

 three inches will swallow a large tadpole of its own species, 

 and smaller ones in my aquarium have frequently captured 

 fishes as long as themselves, sitting for hours with the fish's 

 tail projecting from the mouth, waiting for the other end to 

 digest. 



