90 RANACLAMITANS. 



The anterior extremities are olive above and delicate v^^hite below; there are 

 four fingers distinct, not palmated; and the thumb of the male is furnished with 

 a tubex'cle at certain seasons. The posterior extremities are very long, dusky 

 above, with transverse bars or blotches of darkest brown; the inferior surface 

 of the thighs is silvery white, the posterior half granulated; the nates are mottled 

 black and white, the former colour predominating. The inferior surface of the 

 legs is white; there are five toes fully palmate, the fourth very long. 



Dimensions. Length of body, 3 inches 2 lines; of thighs, 1 inch 7 lines; of leg, 

 1 inch 8 lines; of tarsus and toes, 2 inches 2 fines; total, 8 inches 7 lines. 



Habits. The Rana clamitans lives in water, or on the banks of ponds and rivers, 

 far from which it is never seen. It is exceedingly timid, and makes enormous 

 leaps from the banks into the water when disturbed, and utters, at the same time, 

 a short cry. Bosc says it is the most active of all our frogs, and if once made 

 prisoner and allowed to escape, it cannot again be easily retaken. 



Geographical Distribution. The Rana clamitans is found in the low countries 

 of Carolina and Georgia, farther north than this I have never seen it, though Dr. 

 Harlan says it is common in Pennsylvania. This is most probably a southern 

 species, and reaches to the Gulf of Mexico, where it represents the Rana fontinalis, 

 which is a northern animal. 



General Remarks. The Rana clamitans was first described by Bosc, from 

 specimens taken in the neighbourhood of Charleston, in manuscript notes com- 

 municated to Latreifie, who published it under the name it here bears. 



