1 882.] The Development of the Tree-toad. 639 



evidently, was to reach the wood. Apparently aware of their 

 danger in this exposed journey, they drew attention to themselves, 

 when approached, by continually springing out of harm's way ; 

 but after the shrubbery was reached they rarely made any attempt 

 to escape when discovered, trusting wholly, like the mature frogs, 

 to their disguise of coloring for safety. I found several of them 

 on a small apple tree which was in the line of their journey. They 

 were on the new growth which was overrun with Aphides, and 

 the frogs had assumed a deep emerald-green, so like the leaf that 

 it was difficult at first glance to distinguish them from it. After 

 they reached the wood I could trace them no farther. I think it 

 probable that some observers have mistaken H. versicolor at this 

 age for the adults of another species of Hyla. 



My knowledge of the frogs from this stage till they reach 

 maturity, is confined chiefly to those reared in a fernery. For 

 the first three months they retained the green color, as a rule, 

 with occasional changes to tints of brown and gray, matching the 

 earth or branches to which they clung. After that time shades 

 of gray became the rule and green the exception. The black 

 markings on the head, body and limbs did not change excepting 

 to vary in distinctness. Their food, which they never took unless 

 alive, was Aphides at first, but soon flies formed their chief diet. 

 During the day they commonly remained motionless, hidden be- 

 hind the bark of the branches, with feet and hands, which are 

 evidently extremely sensitive, compactly folded under the body, 

 so that only their outer edges came in contact with the surface 

 on which they were seated. Occasionally they would pat the 

 disks against the sides of the body as if to moisten them. Their 

 activity was reserved for the night, although rain accompanied by 

 a south wind, caused them to move about uneasily. About the 

 1st of October they left the branches and ferns and nestled away 

 in the damp earth and moss, where they remained through the 

 winter, unless exposed to a temperature above 6o°. They took 

 no food from the first week in October till the 14th of the follow- 

 mg May, when I gave them their liberty. They were then placed 

 °n an oak tree, where, after climbing till a suitable crevice or 

 hiding place was found, they backed themselves into it and be- 

 came to all appearance like a part of the bark of the tree. 



