FASCICULI MALATENSES 
136 
rice fields* The larvae appear to be able to develop considerably, at any rate 
to assume an elongate form, before the froth, in which they are enveloped, 
comes in contact with water ; but if the direct rays of the sun fall upon them, 
as is often the case, and if they are not washed into some pool or puddle 
within a week or so, they perish. The frog is by no means sagacious in 
placing its spawn. 1 
Rbacophorus leucomystax has greater powers of colour change than any 
other frog with which we met, the changes being due partly to changes in the 
surroundings, or perhaps rather to variations in the intensity of reflected 
light, and partly to its own emotions. A specimen sitting among green 
leaves in the open is usually of a yellowish-green shade, while one confined 
in a comparatively dull environment becomes darker ; but sluggish specimens, 
which may be diseased, are generally dark ; and if a green specimen is 
handled, It also becomes dark, the bars on its hind legs being very con¬ 
spicuous. We saw one specimen, which, seated on a withered banana leaf 
and surrounded with other withered trunks and foliage, had assumed the 
dull grey of such surroundings exactly ; even the iris, which is habitually 
yellow or brown, having become of this colour. This was at mid-day, in 
fairly bright light, but the individual appeared to he unusually comatose.* 
13. Rhacophorus robinsonii, sp. nov. 
(PL V, Fig. 2). 
Vomerine teeth in two strong and oblique series touching the inner 
front edge of the choanae. Snout narrow, as long as the diameter of the 
orbit; loreal region nearly vertical, slightly concave ; nostril a little nearer 
the end of the snout than the eye ; interorbital space a little broader than the 
upper eyelid ; tympanum very distinct, two-thirds the diameter of the eye. 
Fingers rather short, much depressed, entirely webbed, the disks as large as 
the tympanum ; toes webbed to the disks, which are a little smaller than 
those of the fingers ; subartieular tubercles small but very prominent ; a very 
small inner metatarsal tubercle; no tarsal fold. Tibio-tarsal articulation 
^reaching between the eye and the tip of the snout. Skin smooth, granulate 
on the belly and under the thighs ; no dermal flaps at the heels or above the 
vent ; a strong fold above the temple. Pinkish-brown above, bluish-grey on 
the sides of the body and limbs ; sides of head darker purplish-grey, which 
above is sharply defined on the canthus rostralis ; ill-defined dark spots on 
the back ; limbs with greyish-brown cross-bars ; interdigital webs blackish, 
with light veins ; whitish beneath, throat mottled, belly marbled with grey. 
From snout to vent, 73 mm. 
1 * Cf. G a (low's Amphibia a-ui RtpiiUt, p. 247 . 
