96 HYLAVIRIDIS. 



flanks to near the posterior extremities; this line is partially visible on the posterior 

 part of the upper jaw, giving it a whitish appearance. The throat is yellowish- 

 white; the thorax silvery; the abdomen yellowish-white, and granulated. 



The anterior extremities are coloured like the body above, white below, with a 

 pale yellow line along the posterior border of the humerus, fore-arm and carpus, 

 to the external finger, this line becomes very distinct only near the elbow; there are 

 four fingers cleft, each ending in a rounded pellet, by which, the animal can sustain 

 itself on smooth places. The posterior extremities are very long, and green on 

 the upper surface; the thigh is yellow beneath, and gi'anulated; the nates are flesh 

 colour, with a few dusky spots; the leg is pale flesh colour below, with a yellow 

 line before and behind, which is continued along the tarsus to the outer toe; there 

 ■pi-e five toes, fully. i^almated, the two external green above, the three internal dirty 

 yellow, each terminates in a rounded pellet similar to those of the fingers. 



Dimensions. Length from snout to vent. If inch; of thigh, 8 lines; of leg, 8^ 

 lines; of tarsus and toes, 1 inch 2 lines. 



Habits. These animals are found on trees, but most commonly about the 

 broad leaved plants, as the pontederia cordata, nymphaea, &c; they are also very 

 numerous in fields of Indian corn, (zea mais,) where they conceal themselves from 

 their enemies by passing in between the broad green leaves of the plant, the colour 

 of which is so nearly their own that it is not easy to find them. Here they 

 remain quiet and motionless during the heat of the day, but in the morning or 

 evening, or before a shower, they emerge from their hiding places and become 

 very brisk and noisy. Their noise proceeds from a single note, which, at a little 

 distance, is not unlike the sound of a small bell. There seems in general to be 

 one leader of their orchestra, and when he raises his note, hundreds take it up from 

 all parts of the cornfield, and when he stops, the concert is at an end, until he 

 again begins. They feed on various insects, especially the common fly, which 

 they seize with great adroitness, leaping a foot or more to secure it. At certain 



