82 RANAPIPIENS. 



and marked with a dark brown oblong spot at the shoulder, and a similar one at 

 the elbow; their lower surface is yellowish-white; the fingers are four in number, 

 short, very stout, and not palmated. The posterior extremities are exceedingly 

 long and large, dark green above, with numerous dusky brown oblong spots, or 

 transverse bars, as far as the external toe. The under surface of the thigh is 

 yellowish-white, the posterior part granulated; the nates are yellowish-white, 

 mottled with black; the under surface of the leg is silvery-white; there are five 

 long, but stout, fully palmated toes. 



Dimensions. This is the largest of our frogs, reaching even to the length of 

 21 inches. Dimensions of the individual from which the accompanying figure 

 was taken: — Length of body, 5 inches; of thigh, 2 inches 3 lines; of leg, 2 inches 

 4 lines; of tarsus and toes, 3 inches 5 lines; total, 13 inches. 



Habits. Bull frogs are found about stagnant ponds or sluggish rivers, and 

 in general, are solitary in their habits, only collecting together in the breeding 

 season, at which time hundreds may be seen in some small pond, when the cry 

 uttered by the males is so loud as to resemble the distant roaring of a bull, and 

 can be heard on still evenings at the distance of half a mile. During the day they 

 are quiet, and only begin their noise at the approach of twilight, or in dark cloudy 

 weather. They cannot be said to abound, but are found commonly enough 

 sitting half immersed in water, or on the banks of ponds, waiting for their prey. 

 If alarmed, they leap suddenly into the water, like the R. fontinalis and R. halecina; 

 but, unlike them, they do not conceal themselves at once, but frequently skim along 

 the surface for several yards before they dive below it. They are the most aquatic 

 of all our frogs; indeed, I have known them to live in wells for years, where they 

 could not rest a moment on solid ground above the water, consequently they are 

 among the best swimmers of the tribe; and for this their organization is perfect 

 — the thighs and legs are very strong and muscular, and the broad palmated foot 

 makes an excellent paddle. They are also exceedingly active on land, and leap to 

 a great distance; Kalm gives an amusing story of one that beat a swift running 

 Indian at a " foot race." They feed on various insects, and the smaller animals 



