THE SHAD-FROG. 
153 
Dr. Livingstone mentions this fine species in his well-known work on Southern Africa, as 
follows : — 
“Another article of which onr children partook with eagerness was a very large Frog, 
called ‘ Matlametlo.’ 
“These enormous Frogs, which, when cooked, look like chickens, are supposed by the 
natives to fall down from the thunder-clouds, because after a heavy shower the pools which 
are filled, and retain water a few days, become instantly alive with this loud croaking pug- 
nacious game. This phenomenon takes place in the driest parts of the desert, and in places, 
where to an ordinary observer there is not a sign of life. 
“Having been once benighted in a district of the Kalahari, where there was no prospect 
of getting water for our cattle for a day or two, I was surprised to hear in the fine, still 
evening the croaking of Frogs. Walking out until I was certain that the musicians were 
between me and our fire, I found that they could be merry on nothing else but a prospect 
of rain. 
“From the bushmen I afterwards learned that the Matlametlo makes a hole at the root of 
certain bushes, and there ensconces himself during the months of drought. As he seldom 
emerges, a large variety of spider takes advantage of the hole, and makes its web across the 
orifice. He is thus furnished with a window and screen gratis, and no one but a bushman 
would think of searching beneath a spider’s web for a Frog. They completely eluded any 
search on the occasion referred to; and as they rush forth into the hollows filled by the thun- 
der-showers when the rain is actually falling, and the Bechuanas are cowering under their 
skin garments, the sudden chorus struck up simultaneously from all sides seems to indicate 
a descent from the clouds. 
“The presence of these Matlametlo in the desert in a time of drought was rather a 
disappointment, for I had been accustomed to suppose that the note was always emitted by 
them when they were chin-deep in water. Their music was always regarded in other 
spots as the most pleasant sound that met the ear after crossing portions of the sandy 
desert; and I could fully appreciate the sympathy for these animals shown by iEsop, himself 
an African.” 
It is a large and handsome species, but becomes duller in color as it increases in age. The 
young, however, are very lightly tinted. The general color is greenish-brown above, with a 
decided rusty wash, variegated with mottlings of reddish-brown, and streaked and spotted 
with yellow. The green takes a brighter and purer hue along the sides of the head and legs. 
The abdomen is yellow, mottled with orange, and the chin is striped and splashed with brown. 
The eyes are very curious and beautiful, being of a rich chestnut hue, covered with a profusion 
of little golden-white dots, which shine with a metallic lustre. 
When young, the yellow lines on the body are edged with jetty-black, and the legs are 
covered with bold black bars. The head is stout and rather flat, and the skin of the body 
is puckered into longitudinal folds. The lower jaw is remarkable for two large, bony, tooth- 
like projections in front. The ordinary length of a full-grown specimen is about six inches. 
We now come to the very large genus of which the common Frog is so familiar an 
example, and which finds representatives in all except cold latitudes. The very handsome 
Shad-Frog derives its popular name from its habit of making its appearance on land at the 
same time that the shads visit the shore. The specific title TialecAna also alludes to this cir- 
cumstance, as the Indian word for a shad is halec. 
This Frog requires much moisture, and is seldom seen at any distance from the banks of 
rivers or pools of fresh water. Sometimes, however, when the dew lies very heavily o;i the 
grass, the Shad-Frog makes its way over the fields to spots far from the water-side, but takes 
care to return before the hot sunbeams have dried up the grateful moisture of the herbage. 
The food of this reptile consists chiefly of insects. It is a very active creature, and ever lively, 
making leaps of eight or ten feet in length. 
Vol. m.— 20. 
