An amateur naturalist, amid the ordinary organic forms that he may
encounter in his own country, is often grievously puzzled at curious
specimens of animal life that may be brought under his attention. But
amid the illimitable animal life of the wild region of the upper Orinoco
even the most expert and learned naturalist will often find himself
“stumped” by the many unusual and hitherto undiscovered things that
occasionally beset his pathway.
Among the many curious and quaint animal specimens encountered by the
writer in this region was an arboreal frog of startlingly beautiful
colorings. This little creature rested upon a stomach of orange flame
hue, while the head and back were marked with velvet purple tints, and a
narrow snow-white stripe extended from the point of his nose to the tip
of a tiny tail. With such brilliant colorings it is easily and
distinctly observed, but the snakes, weasels and other arch enemies of
the amphibians have no relish for this handsome specimen. Its weapon of
defense against its would-be enemies is a sweat venom of a most nauseous
odor, which it emits when any one approaches it. This venom is common
among the toads, and the fact is referred to by Juvenal (Dryden’s
translation) of the lady “who squeezed a toad into her husband’s wine.”
It is probable that the beautiful frog of so many glaring colors would
have long since been exterminated by its many enemies and persecutors
but for the poisonous and nauseous fluid ejected from its glands.
Andrew James Miller.