THE RH1N0PHRYNE. 
169 
The color of this species is deep liver-brown above, with two longitudinal yellow stripes, 
beginning at the eyes and extending as far as the base of the hind-legs. A forked yellow 
mark appears between these stripes just where they end, and the limbs are liver-brown, 
spotted with yellow. The under parts are very pale brownish-red profusely variegated with 
pale yellow spots In length it is nearly two inches. The generic name Brachymerus is 
derived from two Greek words, signifying short-thighed. 
The Tixgeing Frog of Southern America ( Hylaplesia tinctoria ) is worthy of a casual 
notice. 
This creature is so called because the Indians are said to employ it for imparting a differ- 
ent tinge to the plumage of the green parrot. They pluck out the feathers on the spots where 
they desire to give the bird a different colored robe, and then rub the wounded skin with the 
blood of this Frog. The new feathers that supply the places of those that have been removed, 
are said to be of a fine red or yellow hue. 
It is found in various parts of Southern America, and is common in Surinam, where it 
mostly inhabits the woods, traversing the branches and leaves by day, and at night concealing 
itself under the loose bark. Like the common Tree-Frog of Europe, it seldom visits the 
water except during the breeding-season, for the purpose of depositing its eggs. 
In color it is extremely variable. Some specimens are black, with a white spot on the 
top of the head, and two stripes of the same color running from the head along each side. In 
certain individuals there are cross bands of white between the stripes. Other examples are 
gray above and black below; some are wholly black, spotted with large round white marks; 
others are black; others are gray, spotted with black; while a few specimens are brown, with 
a large white spot on each side, and two white bands on the fore limbs. 
The Riiix opiiryxe is remarkable as being the only known example among the Frogs 
where the tongue has its free end pointing forward, instead of being directed towards the 
throat. 
This curious spe- 
cies inhabits Mexico, 
and can easily be recog- 
nized by the peculiar 
form of its head, which 
is rounded, merged into 
the body, and has the 
muzzle abruptly trun- 
cated, so as to form a 
small circular disc in 
front. The gape is ex- 
tremely small, and the 
head would, if sepa- 
rated, be hardly recog- 
nizable as having be- 
longed to a Frog. There 
are two glands by the 
ears, but although they 
are of considerable rhinophryne. Rhmopiuyne dorsalis. 
dimensions, they are 
scarcely apparent externally, being concealed under the skin. The legs are very short and 
thick, and the feet are half-webbed. Each hind-foot is furnished with a flat, oval, horny 
spur formed by the development of one of the bones. There are no teeth in the jaws, and the 
Vol. III.— 23. 
