File:Aquatic life (1916-1917) (19740203122).jpg

Title: Aquatic life
Identifier: aquaticlife219161917baus (find matches)
Year: 1916-1917 (1910s)
Authors: Bausman, Joseph E
Subjects: Aquariums; Fish culture
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. E. Bausman
Contributing Library: Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Ernst Mayr Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Ernst Mayr Library

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154 laquatk ILitt spots on the irides of the eyes; they are very striking, and at once command our attention. The animal may grow to be some four inches in length, and it is a known fact that the female is larger than the male. Some of the books give other measurements very fully, and its topo- graphical anatomy has likewise been touched upon by authors. Individuals
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Figure 2 and 3. Dorsal and ventral views of the same specimen shown in Figure 1 From Life \ary in their general coloration, some being of a light, others of a dark brown. Beneath, it is glistening white, the throat and hind limbs being shaded with pale gray, the former beautifully speckled with spots of various forms; these occur also on the limbs, while but few are found elsewhere. Specimens have been taken having the upper parts of a yellow- ish shade, or even grayish or light pur- plish. Dorsally, the warts are yellowish, and the lateral folds brilliant orange, while much dark speckling is seen on this part of the body, as well as on the lips, the jaws being unusually massive. The dark tympanum upon either side has a light-colored spot occupying its centre. Limbs barred with dark brown trans- versely, five of these being very conspicu- ous on the legs. Taken altogether, it is a most striking species with respect to its appearance, and certainly a very peculiar one in re- gard to its habits. So well is this all shown in the figures that any further de- scription here would consume space to no end. It is readily distinguished from other species of our frogs, as from R. areolata, and still more so from R. pip- iens or R. palustris. At either shoulder the Gopher frog has a large vocal pouch, capable of inflation to a marked degree. These pouches are found only in the male, and they give,a most unusual appearance when fully in- flated. Gopher frogs are very clever at hiding, and when doing so they change color at will, assuming a whitish tinge, or brown, or deep purple, to intense black. Some- times, when handled, the animal secrets from the skin a peculiar secretion, which has by no means a pleasant odor. Mary C. Dickerson, a great authority on our batricians, has pointed out in her "Frog Book" that this "frog is so wary and has such strong habits of hiding, that but few specimens have come to light. The wariness of this species has resulted in a habit of spasmodic instead of con- tinuous activity. Its method, like that of the cricket grasshopper, is ludicrous to observe. It remains absolutely quiet for minutes at a time, relying on its protec- tive coloration, until the danger is well- nigh upon it. When the movement comes,

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