GREENING : THE NATTERJACK TOAD. 



359 



I found the Natterjacks in their holes amongst the sand-hills ; they 

 are abundant there, and owing to their loud croaking are locally 

 known as 'Formby Organs.' Mr. J. A. Jackson has also sent me some 

 from Garstang, amongst which were two small ones, in their second 

 year, ... as well as some born this year. 



[The whole paper is replete with interesting details as to the 

 habits and life-history of the British Frogs and Toads, but we content 

 ourselves with reproducing Mr. Greening's table of the most striking 

 characteristics of these animals :] 



Rana temporaria (Common Frog). Skin smooth. Length of 

 body, 2| in. to 3 in. Fore legs \\ in. long. Hind legs 4 in. long. 

 Fore feet not palmated. Hind feet much palmated. Legs formed 

 for jumping and swimming. Head triangular, snout pointed. Dorsal 

 ground colour very variable — from light yellow to dark green, from 

 pale rufous to brick red, from light to dark brown. Ventral surface 

 pale yellow to light green, irregularly marked with brown. Upper 

 surface of legs persistently barred and spotted with brown. Dark 

 brown patch running from eye to shoulder; this is a constant feature 

 in this species. Two well-marked dorsal ridges. 



Ra7ia esculenta (Edible Frog). Skin smooth, or slightly tuber- 

 culated on back. Length of body, 3 in. to 3] in. Fore legs \\ in. 

 long. Hind legs 3I in. long. Fore feet not palmated. Hind feet 

 much palmated. Legs formed for jumping and swimming. Head 

 triangular, snout pointed. Dorsal ground colour generally green, 

 variable to brown, with irregular black splashes along the dorsal 

 ridges ; well-marked median dorsal line. Ventral surface milk white, 

 spotted or marbled with greenish brown. Upper surface of legs 

 splashed with black, and sometimes barred. 



Bufo vulgaris (Conimon Toad). Skin warty, densely covered 

 with tubercles. Length of body, 3 in. to 3] in. Fore legs \\ in. 

 long. Hind legs 3 in. long. Fore feet not palmated. Hind feet 

 palmated. Legs formed for running and swimming. Head rounded, 

 snout blunt. Dorsal ground colour, ashen grey to dark brown, or 

 from dull olive green to dirty yellow ; irregularly spotted over back 

 and legs with darker markings, sometimes forming irregular bands. 

 Ventral surface greyish green, speckled with brown. 



Bufo calamifa (Natterjack Toad). Skin warty, densely covered 

 with tubercles. Length of body, 2] in. to 2\ in. Fore legs \ \ in. 

 long. Hind legs 2.\ in. long. Fore feet not palmated. Hind feet 

 palmated. Legs formed for running and swimming. Head rounded, 

 snout blunt. Dorsal ground colour yellowish brown, suffused with 

 olive, and marbled with black ; well-marked dorsal line of brimstone 

 yellow colour. Ventral surface greenish white, marbled with black. 



Dec. 1888. 



