NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 183 



The Wood Frog, (Rana sylvatica), is frequently seen in 

 moist valleys in the Zoological Park, where its chocolate 

 brown back so closely matches the color of the dead leaves 

 and moist earth ; it is difficult to find, save when it takes one 

 of its flying leaps. The specimens shown were taken near 

 the Beaver Pond. 



The Tree Frog, (Hyla pickeringi), is the commonest of 

 the queer little tree-loving species which are so easy to hear, 

 and so difficult to find. In spring their voices are the first 

 to be heard in the swamps. The Zoological Park is full of 

 Hylas, and their cheerful piping is heard at all seasons, 

 especially in dry midsummer, when dark storm-clouds 

 gather and promise rain. 



The Common Toad, {Bufo lentiginosus), is found in the 

 Zoological Park, though not in such abundance as the two 

 preceding species. 



Among the most remarkable creatures in the Reptile 

 House are the specimens of Smooth-Clawed Frog, {Xenopus 

 laevis),irom Africa and The Surinam Toad, {Pip a americana). 

 Both of these species are strictly aquatic and have broadly 

 palmated hind feet. The Surinam Toad comes from Dutch 

 Guiana. It is unique in its breeding habits. The male col- 

 lects the eggs and places them on the female's back where 

 they are engulfed in large folds of the skin, which form 

 cells in which the metamorphosis occurs. 



The Spotted Salamander, {Salamandra maculosa), because 

 of its broad, bright yellow bands and blotches, laid on a 

 rich, dark-brown body color, is one of the most showy of all 

 Amphibians. It comes from Europe, and being much prized 

 in collections, it frequently passes through the hands of 

 dealers in reptiles. Its skin is very moist and clammy, 

 which gives the creature the appearance of having been 

 varnished. This is the creature which is supposed to be 

 able to withstand fire — a belief which is purely imaginative. 



The Tiger Salamander or Axolotl, {Amblystoma tigrinum), 

 is a widely different creature from the preceding. It is 

 found throughout the greater portion of the North Amer- 

 ican continent, and as far south as Central Mexico. Thir- 

 teen other species of the genus Amblystoma are found in 

 North America and Mexico. In the matter of "harmoniz- 

 ing with environment," the Amblystoma is one of the most 

 remarkable* creatures in existence. In its larval stage 

 (corresponding with the tadpole stage of a frog), this ani- 



