950 The Mink or Hooster Frog. [ September, 
squeaking croak almost like the notes uttered by a toad when 
seized, with the finger and thumb, by its arm pits. I have since 
heard the same love cry late in the evening, on the banks of the 
stream, and have well recognized its peculiarly sharp ringing 
croak. The male seizes the female by the lower portion of the 
axilla, near the upper third of the dorsal vertebra, but not by the 
lumbar regions. At this time the tinting on the chin and throat 
was a fine gamboge-yellow, and was deeper toned in some speci- 
mens than others, but not particularly more in the males than the 
females. In both sexes it was equally beautiful. I could not 
help being particularly struck by the extreme stillness of the pairs 
in coitu among the Ranunculus. Nothing seemed to induce 
them to move in any manner. They were at rest. I carefully 
examined since on all opportunities, and searched the streams and 
pools to find some in coitu, if possible, to observe them in their 
natural embrace, but as yet without success. As mentioned, the 
ordinary note of this frog is similar to that of R. Aalecna, but 
much more sprightly, and its note of distress is little different, her 
is more sepulchral. I have seen it distend the throat on both 
sides of the tongue and give this peculiar cry, and there was 
considerable depression in the center, over the glossal bones, 
which demonstrated a sack on each side. 
Thus it may be justly inferred that after the female is grasped i 
the pair sink to the bottom and conceal themselves from view ae 
and that they either bury themselves in the mud or seek the 
covering of water plants, after the manner of those ın the n 
earthen vase. It is likely some prompting of nature that thus 
makes them bury themselves from sight, to protect themselves 
from enemies that could, at that time, make them an easy pe 
and in security perform their’ process of fecundation. I kept m 
specimens referred to for over a fortnight, but no spawn was de- 
posited. To-day is the 30th July. On the 24th a fine 
Institution, The color on the chin has much faded, and is no" 
of a creamy-yellow, telling us that the spawning season 1S ©” 
The same creamy color is seen when they first make their app™ a 
ance in the beginning of May or in April. Specimens €x% ee 
to-day are devoid of ova, are considerably collapsed, and o 
sides are sunk in. There is plenty of spawn in the soa 
some places it is seen adhering to water plants and waving IM 
