122 OHIO STATE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



along almost any of our streams. At times of high water these 

 big frogs leave the inundated regions and migrate to higher 

 ground. They are caught for the market in great numbers, and 

 were it not for their great fertility, they would soon become ex- 

 tinct, as indeed is the case in some parts of the country. Frog 

 farms exist to supply the market and when well conducted are 

 ready sources of revenue. Common over the State. 



Specimens in the U. S. Nat. Mus., recorded by Cope from Marietta and 

 Elyria. In the O. S. U. Mus., collected by R. C. Osburn at Columbus, and 

 by E. V. Wilcox at Central College and Lake Erie. 



Rana sylvatica Le Conte. Sides of head with a chocolate band run- 

 ning from snout backward. Below this a light line. Brownish spot on base 

 of arm. Above brown, below lighter. Lower jaw mottled in front with 

 brown. Lateral fold brown, conspicuous. Legs barred transversely. Lengths 

 lyi inches. 



The Wood-frog is, in the mind of the writer, the most beau- 

 tiful of the frogs. It cannot be confused with any other species 

 when the markings are considered. It is an anomaly among its- 

 brethren inasmuch as it is never found in the immediate vicinity 

 of water after the eggs have been laid in the early spring. Its- 

 home is among the fallen leaves of an upland woodland where it 

 lives a solitary life. It is extremely hard to distinguish among 

 the leaves as protective coloration is so well developed. 



Kirtland ('38) gives the following note under this species:, 

 " It is impossible to move in our Ohio woods during summer 

 without stepping on them, they are so abundant." Whether this 

 was meant to apply to the whole of Dr. Kirtland's period of 

 observation or to a limited period is not evident. What is evi- 

 dent, however, is that there has most certainly been a marked 

 change in the distribution of the species since 1838, for as it 

 occurs now in our State it is found as isolated individuals. Only 

 during breeding seasons do they become in any sense gregarious, 

 and this only for a few weeks in early spring. 



Found over the entire State, but erratic, occurring only as- 

 isolated individuals. 



Specimens in theU. S. Nat. Mus., recorded by Cope from Yellow Creek, 

 and Toledo. In Oberlin College, collected by Lynds Jones, Lorain Co. 

 Sandusky High School, by E. L. Moseley, Sandusky. O. S. U. Museum, 

 by E. V. Wilcox in Lawrence, Warren and Delaware Cos. ; by the author at 

 Gahanna and in Licking Co. Also reported from Knox, and Fairfield Cosw 



