218 TREE FROGS. 



the Riviera in spring. At this season of the }-ear these 

 creatures assemble in all tlie reseH'oirs and call to 

 each other. The remarkable \olume of sound is due 

 to the fact that, in the males, the dark skin of 

 the throat swells up into a large sound-bladder. At or- 

 dinar\' times these prett\- brig-ht - crreen creatures live in 

 the shrubs and trees. We were inter'ested in searching 

 for them in the daytime, in the garden of the Hotel, and 

 noting how well their colouring adapted itselt to their 

 temporary environment. On light leaves the)' are light 

 coloured, on dark lea^-es dark, and therefore difficult to 

 see. ^Phis is an instance of protective resemblance which 

 enables them to escape the notice of their enemies and 

 also prevents their being observed b^• the pre^' thev arc 

 watching for. It is realh' amusing to see how a tree frog 

 hunts insects, how cle\'erh' he catches them and how 

 high he will spring in order to seize them. 



In spite of the rain, which had fallen abundantly, and 

 the daih' M-atering, the road leading from Cannes to An- 

 tibes was perceptible only as a long streak of dust inter- 

 secting the verdure of the gardens. This white streak was 

 particularh' distinct in the afternoons, when carriage after 

 carriao-e dro\'e along- the road raisingf fresh clouds ol dust. 

 This powdered limestone is as fine as flour; it penetrates 

 everything and rises so high that it colours all the trees 

 in the neighbourhood grey to their very tops. \''isitors 

 to Cannes breathe this dust everv day and all da\', regard- 

 less of the fact that the}' mostl\- come south for the benefit 

 of their lungs. This dust unfortunately prevails in many 

 places on the Riviera, particularh' where the limestone 



