FROGS, TOADS, AND SALAMANDERS 



243 



purpose; namely, that of parachutes to aid in their leaps 

 from branch to branch. The little tree toad of our coimtry, 

 of wlrich we have spoken, has its toes and fingers provided 



Fig. 170. — Malaysian tree frog. 



with adhesive disks which enables it to cling to vertical 

 surfaces and, hence, adapt it to an arboreal life. 



Relationship and significant features of this branch. — 



The Amphiliia are a group of animals standing between the 

 fishes and the reptiles. The fishes, on one hand, are water 

 animals; the reptiles, on the other hand, are land animals; 

 while the amphibians, in between, are both. That is, the 

 greater number of them live in water during the first part 

 of their lives, anrl on land, the latter part. 



The Amphibia within themselves are very interesting, as 

 showing a gradual transition from water-breathing to air- 



