UNITED STATES EXPLORING EXPEDITION. . DURING THE YEARS 1888, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842. UNDER THE COMMAND OF CHARLES WILKES, U. S. N. YOL. XX. HERPETOLOGY, BT CHARLES GIRARD, DOCTOR is MEDICINE: AND SURGERY: CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY; THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA; THE LYCEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY OF NEW YORK; THE ELLIOT SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY OF CHARLESTON, s. c.: THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, SAN FRANCISCO: THE "SOCIETE HELVETIQUE DES SCIENCES NATURELLES :" THE " SATURFOUSC HENDE GESELL- SCHAFT IN ZURICH;" AND THE "SOCIETE DES SCIENCES NATURELLES DE XEUCHATEL (SWITZERLAND)," ETC. WITH A FOLIO ATLAS. PHILADELPHIA: J. B. L I P P I X C 0 T T & CO. 1858. UIIVBRSITY 4, •? ,0 C. SHERMAN & SON, PRINTERS, Corner of Seventh and Cherry Streets. Philadelphia. UKIVERSIT7 PREFACE. To the zoologists into whose hands the present work may come, it is deemed expedient to state, that as far as the families and genera are concerned, the author does not profess to give a full synonymy thereof. Indeed, it was first assumed that the earliest quotation would suffice, and it is but subsequently that the most prominent sources have been referred to. In regard to the species, all the synonyms that could be found have been quoted. Litigious questions of nomenclature, concerning genera and species, have been dealt with according to the principle of priority. In a single instance, however, a species does appear under a name which, accord- ing to that principle, ought to have been changed ; we refer to Oligo- soma zelandicum (p. 246). That the subject has been under considera- tion, is evinced by the synonymy accompanying it, where the name of Oligosoma moco is quoted. Not possessing the dates at the time the MS. was prepared, an oversight in proof-reading will account for the want of conformity in the reference to the " Proceedings of the Aca- demy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia," in which a synopsis of the new genera and species has been published, and where it was anticipated also that the latter name would appear. The descriptions of several of the Batrachians, from the fact of having been drawn up from specimens preserved in alcohol, may ill compare with recent or living ones, especially such as were not sketched from life. A protracted immersion in alcohol is apt to contract the vj PREFACE. tissues, sometimes to a considerable degree ; and, although the author has been ever mindful of such an occurrence, his pen may have erred in sundry details of forms or outlines, as well as in the coloration. When comparisons with genera and species allied to those described appear deficient, the cause of such deficiency is want of materials. Of the order of Batrachians, the principal groups are represented in the collection ; thus enabling the author to institute comparative studies of most of the genera. Not so with the Ophidians ; many links are unconnected. Hence, the impracticability of arranging them into natural families. There are even genera the limits of which could not be delineated ; for there is no general collection of exotic serpents in the United States, to which access might have been had, in order to extend the foregoing researches and comparisons. As a general rule, it has been deemed inexpedient to compile from the writers in the same field, where no specimens were available, the author preferring to record in an unpre- tending form, whatever observation he might be able to make. Amongst Saurians we miss, likewise, representatives of several fami- lies. The difficulties encountered in their investigation have proved greater still, and the gaps wider yet, than for the Ophidians. As to the Chelonians, the materials at command were but few and fragmentary, and for the determination of them, the author has unexpectedly been led into inquiries of a purely historical character, and which, it is assumed, have thrown a new light upon the entire subject of Marine Turtles or Tortoises. A general glance at the Reptiles, which we have thus been review- ing, presents two main features : one portion of the collection apper- taining to Continental, the other to Pelagic Faunas. The representatives of Continental Faunas were obtained in the neighborhood of the various ports touched at by the Expedition : the coasts of Brazil, Patagonia, Chili, Peru, New Holland, Bengal, and Northwestern America. The others, in the coral and volcanic islands of the Pacific Ocean. A curious fact in the geographical distribution of these animals, on the PREFACE. vii Coral Islands, consists in the preponderance of the Gecko and Scink families, to the exclusion almost of all other Saurians, save a genus of lyucutidae, more intimately related to the species of the same family indigenous to the New World, than to those of the Old, should the dentition establish primary relationships ; we allude to the genus Brachyloplim. Amongst Snakes, the aquatic tribes only were noticed, with the exception of a Boa, of a peculiar genus (Enygrus). As to the Tortoises or Sea Turtles, found about those islands, they have proved, contrary to all expectation, characteristic species of the Poly- nesian Fauna, as much so as any of the other reptiles. An interesting result, touching the geographical distribution of the species of the genus Proctotretus, has been deduced from a comparative study of the specimens collected on the coasts of Patagonia and Chili. Hitherto, several of the species alluded to stood on record as inhabit- ing simultaneously both these remote localities, although it was con- ceded that " these facts, interesting as they were, had never been sufficiently investigated,"* and were put down as anomalies in the laws of geographical distribution of animal life, laws otherwise so precise. Now, as far as the species of the genus Proctotretus are concerned, those anomalies no longer exist : the species of the eastern coast of South America having been found specifically distinct from those of the western coast of the same continent. As regards Bufo cliilensis, alluded to by Thomas Bell, no opportunity was afforded us to investi- gate the subject. C. G. * The Zoology of the Voyage of H. M. S. Beagle, under the command of Captain Fitzroy, K. N., during the years 1832 to 1830. Part. V, Reptiles. London, 1843. CONTENTS.1 TITLE, ....... . iii PREFACE, ..... v CONTENTS, .... • ix ORPO I.— BATRACHIA, ..... 3 TRIBCS I.— BATRACHIA URODELA, . . 3 a. TREMATODEIRA, .... 3 /?. ATRETODEIRA. . . 3 FAM. SALAMANDRIDAE, ... 4 GENUS TARICHA, ... 4 TARICHA TOROSA, . . 5 FAM. PLETHODONTIDAE, .... 7 GEXUS ANAIDES, .... ... 7 ANAIDES LUGUBRIS, ....... 8 GENUS HEREDIA, ... . 10 HEREDIA OREGONENSIS, . . . .11 GENUS XIPHOXURA, .... 13 XlPHONURA TENEBROSA, . .14 TBIBUS II.— BATRACHIA ANURA, .... . 16 FAM. RANIDAE, ....... .16 GENUS RANA, . . .17 1. RANA AURORA, ..... .18 2. RANA PRETIOSA, ...... 20 3. RANA DRAYTONI, ....... 23 4. RANA MARITIMA, ...... 25 GENUS LEPTODACTTLUS, ..... .28 1. LEPTODACTTLUS OCELLATUS, ..... 29 CONTENTS. Page 2. LEPTODACTYLUS CALIGINOSUS, GENUS CYSTJGNATHUS, ... . . 1. CYSTIGNATHUS NEBULOSUS, . . . • .33 2. CYSTIGNATHUS PARVULUS, ... 35 GENUS PLEURODEMA, ........ 37 1. PLEURODEMA BIBROXI, ..... 38 2. PLEURODEMA ELEGANS, .... .40 GENUS WAGLERIA, ..... 42 WAGLEHIA PERONI, .... .42 GENUS RANIDELLA, ...... 44 RANIDELLA SIGNIFERA, . . . . • .44 FAM. HYLIDAE, . 47 GENUS RANOIDEA, ...... .47 1. RANOIDEA RESPLENDENS, . . . . . 48 2. RANOIDEA FLAVO-TIRIDIS, . . ... 50 GENCS HYLARANA, .... . 52 HYLARANA MINDANEIJSIS, . t . . .52 GENUS HALOPHILA, ....... 54 1. HALOPHILA HEROS, . • 55 2. HALOPHILA VITIENSIS, . > > > 57 3. HALOPHILA DORSUALIB, ^ . . v . . 58 GENUS HYLA, ...>.... 59 1. HYLA REGILLA, ....... 60 2. HYLA CYANEA, i . . 62 GENUS HYLODES, ...... 62 HYLODES PARVUS, k i .63 GENUS ELOSIA, ........ 64 1. ELOSIA NASUTA, ..».>. 66 2. ELOSIA BUFONIUM( t ..... 66 3. ELOSIA VOMERINA, . i . . . . 69 FAM. BUFONIDAE, ........ 71 GENUS RHINODERMA, . > 71 RHINODERMA SIONIFERA, . •. •. . . . 72 GENUS BUFO, ..... 74 1. BUFO BOREAS, . . . .74 2. BUFO COLUMBIENSIS, ...... 77 3. BUFO MARINUS, ....... 80 4. BUFO GRACILIS, ...... 83 5. BUFO LUGUBROSUS, ...... 85 6. BUFO THAUL, ....... 88 7. BUFO POEPPIGH, ....... 90 8. BUFO MELANOSTICTUS, ..... 92 CONTENTS. xi Page GENUS BCFONELLA, ........ 94 BUFONELLA CRUCIFERA, ...... 95 GENUS METAEUS, . ....... 96 METAEUS TIMIDUS, .... .97 GENUS BRACHYCEPHALUS, ....... 99 BRACHYCEPHALUS AURANTIACUS, . . . . . 100 ORDO II.— OPHIDIA, 105 GENUS SABRINA, .... ... 106 SABRINA TESSELLATA, . . ... 106 GENUS CYLINDROPHIS, ....... 108 CYLINDROPHIS RUFA, ...... 109 GENCS WENONA, . . . . . • . • 111 1. WENONA FLUMBEA, ...... 112 2. WENONA ISABELLA, . . . . • . 113 GENUS MORELIA, . . . . . . .115 MORELIA ARGUS, ....... 115 GENUS ENYGRUS, . . . . . . • .117 ENYGRUS BIBRONI, . . . . • • 117 GENUS RABDION, . . • . • • .119 RABDION OCCIPITALE, . . . • . • 120 GENUS LODIA, . . . . . • • .122 LODIA TENUIS, . . . . • • • 122 GENUS CONTIA, ........ 124 CONTIA MITIS, ....... 125 GENUS BASCANION, . . ... 126 BASCANION VETUSTUS, ...... 127 GENUS DENDROPHIS, ........ 129 1. DENDROPHIS PICTA, . . . • • • 129 2. DENDROPHIS PRASINUS, ...... 131 GENUS PITUOPHIS, ....... 1. PITUOPHIS CATENIFER, ... . 135 2. PITUOPHIS WILKESI, ... 137 GENUS CALLIRHINUS, ....... 139 CALLIRHINUS PATAGONIENSIS, . . . . • 139 GENUS SIBYNON, ........ 142 SlBYXOX NEBULATUS, ...... 142 TROPIDONOTUS JUNCEUS, ...... 145 GENUS EUTAENIA, ....... 147 1. EUTAENIA INFERNALIS, ...... 148 2. EUTAENIA PICKERINGI, ..... 150 3. EUTAENIA LEPTOCEPHALA, ..... 151 4. EUTAENIA OUDINOIDES, . ... 153 D xJi CONTENTS. p»g« 5. EuTAEXIA VAGRAKS, ...... 154 GENUS CAXTORIA, . . . . . . . 156 CANTORIA VIOLACEA, ...... 156 LlOPHlS MERREMI, ...... 159 DROMMICUS TEMMINCKI, ...... 161 LYGOPHIS ELEGANS, . . . . . . 163 AMPHIESMA RHODOMELAS, . . . . . .165 XEXODON ANCORUS, ...... 16T ERYTHROLAMPRUS VENUTISSIMUS, . . . . . 169 GENUS CERBERUS, ....... 170 CERBERUS BOAEFORMIS, . . . . . .170 GENUS TACHYMENIS, ....... 173 TACHYMEXIS CHILENSIS, . . . . . .173 GENUS DOLIOPHIS, . . . . . . . 175 DOLIOPHIS FLAVICEPS, . . . . . .176 PSEUDELAPS PSAMMOPHIS, . . . . . 178 GENUS PLATURUS, . . . . . . . .180 1. PLATURUS LATICAUDATUS, . . . . . 180 2. PLATURUS COLUBRINUS, ...... 183 GENUS PELAMYS, ....... 184 PELAMYS BICOLOR, . . . . . . .185 GENUS CROTALUS, . . . . . . . 187 CROTALUS LUCIFER, . . . . . . .187 Oiino III.— SAUBIA, 193 FAM. VARANIDAE, 194 GENUS HYDROSAURUS, . . . . . . . 195 HYDROSAURUS VARIUS, . . . . . .196 FAM. LACERTIDAE, 197 SUBFAM. COELODONTES, 199 GEKUS LACERTA, . . . . . . . . 199 LACERTA MADERENSIS, ...... 200 SUBFAM. PLEO.DONTES, .201 GENUS TEIUS, ........ 201 TEICS TEGUIXIN, ....... 202 FAM. ZONURIDAE, 204 GENUS EL.GARIA, ........ 205 1. ELGARIA FORMOSA, ...... 206 2. ELGARIA SCINCICAUDA, . . . . . 210 3. ELGARIA GRANDIS, ...... 212 4. ELGARIA PRINCIPIS, ...... 214 FAM. AMPHISBAENIDAE, 215 GENUS CEPHALOPELTIS, . . . . . . . 216 CONTENTS. xiii CEPHAI.OPELTIS SCUTIGERA, ...... 217 FAM. SCINCIDAE, ........ 218 SI-BKAM. OPHIOPHTHALMI, ...... 219 GENUS CRYPTOBLEPHARUS, . . . . . . 219 1. CRYPTOBLEPHARUS PLAGIOCEPH s .... 220 2. CRYPTOBLEPHARUS EXIMIUS, ..... 222 SUBKAM. SAUROPHTHALMI, ...... 223 GENUS OPIIIUDES, ....... 224 OPHIODES STRIATCS. ....... 225 GENUS TILIQUA, ........ 227 TlLIQUA RUFESCENS. ....... 227 GENUS EUPREPIS. ....... 229 EUPREPIS VEXCSTUS, ....... 229 GENUS CYCLODUS, ....... 232 CYCLODUS GIGAS, ....... 233 GENUS CYCLODINA, ....... 235 CYOLODINA AENEA, ....... 236 GENUS HOMBRONIA, ....... 239 1. HOMBRONIA UKDOSA, ...... 240 2. HOMBRONIA FASCIOI.ARIS, ..... 243 GENUS OLIGOSOMA, ..... . 245 1. OLIGOSOMA ZELANDICI M, ..... 246 2. OLIGOSOMA NOCTUUM, ...... 249 GENUS LYGOSOMELLA, ..... 251 LYGOSOMELLA AESTUOSA, ...... 251 GENUS LIPINIA, ........ 254 LIPINIA VULCANIA, ....... 254 GENUS HINULIA, ........ 257 HlNULIA TAENIOLATA, ...... 258 GENUS MABITYA, ........ 260 MABCYA AGILIS, ....... 261 GENUS EMOA, ........ 262 1. EMOA ATROCOSTATA, .... . 264 2. EMOA SAMOENSIS, ..... 265 3. EMOA NIGRITA, . ... 268 4. EMOA CYANURA. ...... 270 FAM. GEKKOTIDAE, ...... .272 GENUS GEHYRA, ... ... 272 1. GEHYRA OCEANRA, ...... 273 2. GEHYRA VORAI, ...... 274 GENUS PEROPUS, ... • 277 1. PEROPUS MUTILATUS, . . . . • • 277 xiv CONTENTS. Page 2. PBROPUS NEGLECTUS, . . . . . .278 GENUS DACTYLOPERUS, ....... 279 DACTYLOPERUS INSULENSIS. ..... 280 GENUS CROSSURUS, . . . . . . . 281 CROSSURUS PLATYURUS, ...... 281 GENUS HEMIDACTYLUS, ....... 282 1. HEMIDACTYLUS MABUIA, ...... 283 2. HEMIDACTYLUS CYANODACTYI.US, .... 284 GENUS DORYURA, ....... 285 DORYURA VULPECULA, ...... 286 GENUS ASCALABOTES, ....... 288 ASCALABOTES DELALANDII, ...... 289 GENUS GEKKO, ........ 290 1. GEKKO INDIUUS, ...... 290 2. GEKKO MONARCHUS, ...... 292 GENUS HOPLODACTYLUS, ....... 293 HOPLODACTYLUS POMARII, ..... 294 GENUS DIPLODACTYLUS, ...... 296 DlPLODACTYLUS VITTATUS, ..... 297 GENUS DISCODACTYLUS, . . . . . 299 f DISCODACTYLUS PHACOPHORUS, ..... 300 GENUS PHYLLURUS, ..... 302 PHYLLURUS PLATURUS, .... 303 GENUS GONIODACTYLUS, ...... 304 GONIODACTYLUS MARMOKATUS, , 304 GENUS HETERONOTA, ..... 305 HETERONOTA PELAGICA, ...... 306 GENUS NAULTINUS, ..... 303 NAULTINUS PUNCTATUS, . . . 359 PAM. IGUANIDAE, 312 SUBFAM. PLEURODONTES, ... ... 313 GENUS MICRO LOPHUS, .... 313 MlCROLOPHUS PERUVIANUS, . . . 3J4 GENUS TARAGUIRA, .... 317 TARAGUIRA TORQUATA, .... 3jg GENUS SACCODEIRA, .... 322 SACCODEIRA ORNATISSIMA, .... 323 GENUS PROCTOTRETUS, ..... 326 SUBGENUS PROCTOTRETUS, ..... 329 1. PROCTOTRETUS SPLENDIDUS, .... 329 2. PROCTOTRETUS PECTINATUS, .... 333 SUBGENUS LIOLAEMUS, .... 334 CONTENTS. XV Pmge LlOLAEMUS X1TIDUS, SUBGENUS LlODEIRA, LlODEIRA CHILEXSIS, SUBGENUS PTTCHODEIRA, 1. PTYCHODEIRA GRACILIS, . . • 341 2. PTYCHODEIRA FEMORATA, 3. PTYCHODEIRA STAXTOXI, . - 347 4. PTYCHODEIRA CYAXOGASTEK, . 5. PTYCHODEIRA IXTERMEDIA, 6. PTYCHODEIRA MOSAICA, . . 349 SUBGEXUS RHYTIUODEIRA, . • 349 1. RHYTIDODEIRA KIXGI, . • 350 2. RHYTIDODEIRA MAGELLAXICA, . . 351 3. RHYTIDODEIRA BIBROXI, . 352 4. RHYTIDODEIRA WIEGMAXXI, • 352 5. RHYTIDODEIRA XIGROMACULATA, . . 353 6. RUYTIDODEIBA OXYCEPHALA, .... 353 SUBGEXUS EULAEMUS, ....-• 357 1. EULAEMCS TEXUIS, . • • 358 2. EULAEMUS DARWIXI, ... • 361 3. EULAEMUS PICTUS, ..... 364 4. EULAEMUS FITZIXGERI, . . 365 5. EULAEMUS AFFIXIS, ..... 366 6. EULAEMUS SIGXIFER, . . • 366 7. EULAEMUS MACULATUS, . . • 367 SUBGENUS ORTHOLAEMUS, ...... 368 1. ORTHOI-AEMUS BEAGLII, . . • 369 2. ORTHOLAEMUS MULTJMACULATUS, . 372 3. ORTHOLAEMUS FITZROII, . • 373 GEXUS BRACHYLOPHUS, .... • 373 BRACHYLOPHUS FASCIATUS, . . • 374 GEXUS SCELOPORUS, . . • 377 1. SCELOPORUS UXDULATUS, . . • 379 2. SCELOPORCS OCCIDEXTALIS, ..... 383 3. SCELOPORUS FROXTALIS. .... • 384 4. SCELOPORUS GRACILIS, GEXUS PHRYXOSOMA, . . • • • 388 SUBGEXUS TAPAYA, ... • • 1. TAPAYA ORBICULARIS, . • • 394 2. TAPAYA HERXAXDESI, . • • 395 3. TAPAYA ORXATISSIMA, . . 396 4. TAPAYA BREVIROSTRIS, . 397 E XVI CONTENTS. Page 5. TAPAYA DOUGLASSI, ..... 397 SUBGENUS BATRACHOSOMA, ...... 400 BATKACHOSOMA CORONATUM, .... 400 SUBGENUS PHRYNOSOMA, ...... 402 1. PHRYNOSOMA CORXUTUM, ..... 403 2. PHRYNOSOMA REGALE, .... 406 SUBGENUS DOLIOSAURUS, ...... 407 1. DOLIOSAURUS M'CALLI, .... 408 2. DOLIOSAURUS PLATYUHINOS, .... 409 3. DOLIOSAURUS MODESTUS, .... 409 SUBFAM. ACRODONTES, 410 GENUS BRONCHOCELA, . . . . . . . 411 BRONCHOCELA CRISTATELLA, . . ... 411 GENUS AMPHIBOLURUS, ....... 413 1. AMPHIBOLURUS MURICATUS, ..... 414 2. AMPHIBOLURUS MACULIFERUS, . . . . 417 GENUS OREODEIRA, ........ 419 OREODEIRA GRACILIPES, ...... 420 ORDO IV.— CHELONIA, 425 SUB-ORDO I.— CHELONII, 427 FAM. CHELONIDAE, ........ 429 GENUS THALASSOCHELYS, ...... 429 THALASSOCHELYS CORTICATA, ..... 431 GENUS LEPIDOCHELYS, ....... 434 1. LEPIDOCHELYS OLIVACEA, . . . . . 435 2. LEPIDOCHELYS DUSSUMIERI, ..... 437 REMARKS ON CHELONIA VIRGATA, SCHW., ..... 437 GENUS CARETTA, ........ 438 1. CARETTA IMBRICATA, ...... 440 2. CARETTA SQUAMOSA, ...... 442 3. CARETTA ROSTRATA, ...... 446 GENUS EUCHELYS, ....... 447 EUCHELYS MACBOPUS, ...... 448 REMARKS ON THE GENUS HALICHELYS OF FITZINGER, . . . 451 GENUS CHELONIA, ........ 452 1. CHELONIA VIRIDIS, ...... 453 2. CHELONIA MACULOSA, ...... 454 3. CHELONIA MARMORATA, ..... 455 4. CHELONIA FORMOSA, ...... 456 5. CHELONIA TENUIS, ...... 459 SUB-ORDO II.— TESTUDINATA, 461 FAM. HYDRASPIDES, 462 CONTENTS. xvji Page CHELYMYS MAUIJUARIA, ... . 462 FAM. EMYDIDAE, ..... .463 SniFAM. CLEM.MYDIDAE, ... .464 GENUS ACTINEMYS, . . . 464 ACTIN'EMYS MARMOBATA, . . . 465 FAM. TES1TDIXIDAE, ... .470 GENTS TESTUDO, .... . 470 TESTUDO AUSTRAI.IS, . . . 470 LIST OF PLATES, . . . 473 INDEX, ... 477 ORDO I. BATRACHIA. THE reptiles known under the vernacular names of salamanders, frogs, tree-frogs, and toads, together with the group of Ceciloid, con- stitute the natural order of Batrachians. The peculiar metamorphoses which some of them undergo, have made of them one of the most in- teresting group of animals both to physiologists and zoologists. In one tribe, these metamorphoses are of a very prominent order : we allude to the frogs and toads. The tadpoles, as the young of these latter are called, are provided with a tail, wanting at the same time both pairs of legs. They, furthermore, lead a purely aquatic life ; breathing through the means of gills, situated on either side of the neck, altogether unprotected, and fish-like in their external aspect. By degrees the legs make their appearance, and the tail diminishing, until it is entirely absorbed. Meanwhile the lungs are developed, and the gills atrophy ; a complete change in their mode of life takes place : they leave the water and take to the dry land. The majority of the caudate Batrachians (Vrodela), undergo likewise metamorphoses in their mode of breathing : at first, this act is per- formed through the means of gills, whose function is gradually super- seded by that of the lungs. From this twofold mode of life of these Batrachians, the Order to which they belong has often been called the Order of Amphibia. The structure of the heart and the system of circulation has led some naturalists to look upon the Batrachians as constituting a class by themselves, more intimately allied to the class of fishes than to that of reptiles, properly so called. That structure, added to the metamor- phoses above alluded to, and to the facts, that there are no external organs of generation in the males, and that the external envelope of i BATRACHIA. the eggs is membranous, which eggs are mostly laid before the act of fecundation takes place, are, indeed, strong analogies of what is ob- served in most fishes. Still, the general opinion now is, that the affinities of the Batrachians with the other reptiles are most intimate, and that their true place in the organic scale, is in the latter class, in which they constitute a natural order. The true affinities of the Batrachians with the other reptiles, con- sist in the structure of their skeleton : there are two occipital con- dyles uniting the skull to the vertebral column, and in the majority of them we observe a distinct sternum, although not combined with the ribs, themselves rather short. TRIBUS I. BATRACHIA URODELA. BOOT elongated, lacertiform, tapering, provided with a tail in the adult as well as in the young ; having generally four limbs, and sometimes only two ; the fingers and toes being always clawless. Skin naked, either perfectly smooth, warty, or granular. There are teeth on both jaws, and often on the vomer and sphenoid bones also. No external auricular aperture. Inner nostrils situated in the middle of the palate. Vent longitudinal. Neither sternum nor clavicle. SYN.— Urodtles, BUM. Zool. anal. 1806.— BUM. & BIBB. Erpet. gI">it«rnm diyiti* tcnuibns et dlstinclis, inttrlorilus perparvis. Cute Icevi. Colore supra fusco ; infra dariore. SPEC. CHAR. — No fold of the .skin under the neck. Tail, subcylin- drical, tapering, longer than the body and head together. Fingers and toes slender and free ; inner one very small. Skin, smooth. Color uniform dark-brown above, lighter beneath. SrN.— Hiredla oreyoiiensis, GRD. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VIII, 1856, 141. —HALLOW. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VIII, 1856, 235, DESCR. — In its general physiognomy this species resembles strik- ingly, Ana ides hujubris. It has the same general shape of the head, neck, body, and limbs ; but the callous termination of the toes is much less developed. The head is quite prominent, depressed ; its upper surface sub- concave ; elliptical in outline, when seen from above. The snout is thick and subtruucated, overlapping the lower jaw. The nostrils are 12 BATRACHIA. lateral and nearly terminal. The eyes are prominent, subcircular ; the distance between their anterior rim and the extremity of the snout is a little more than one of their diameter. The cleft of the mouth is uniformly curved, and not undulating as in Anaides higit- bris ; its angles extend almost to a vertical line drawn across the posterior rim of the orbit. The maxillary teeth are very minute, almost invisible to the naked eye. The palatine teeth are small, and disposed upon two open curves, one on each side, extending from the medial line of the palate almost to the jaw bone, leaving the inner nostrils in advance of them. The sphenoid teeth are very minute ; disposed upon a double patch. The tongue is proportionally large, elliptical ; adhering along its medial line, and free on the sides, as also posteriorly. The neck is very distinct from the head and body. There is no gular fold. The body itself is subcylindrical ; diminishing anteriorly as well as posteriorly ; it is not plicated or folded laterally, though the specimens exhibit vertical lines corresponding to the ribs. The tail is subcylindrical ; rounded above and below ; a little longer than the body and head together ; very much tapering, and terminating into a point. The anterior and posterior limbs are of equal length ; but the latter are stouter, and when bent in an opposite direction, alongside the body, they overlap each other the whole length of the carpus and tarsus, including the toes. The inner toe, in both pair of limbs, is quite small ; in the anterior pair, the third is the longest ; the second is a little shorter than the latter, and the fourth, a little longer than the first or inner one. The longest toe, in the posterior limbs, is the third likewise ; the fourth being nearly equal to it ; whilst the second is a little longer than the fourth, which itself is a little more developed than the first or innermost. The skin is perfectly smooth externally ; but, on being examined under the microscope, it exhibits a meshwork of little stellated bodies similar to those of Anaides lugubris, but proportionally larger. According to a sketch from life, made by Mr. Drayton, the ground color is milky-white, with crowded dots of reddish-brown. On the specimens preserved in alcohol, however, the body, head, and limbs are of a uniform dark-brown ; lighter beneath. Under a low magni- fying power minute dots may be observed scattered all over the surface. BATRACHIAURODELA. . 13 Loc. — This species was collected at Discovery Harbor, Puget Sound (Oregon), in May, 1841. Plate I, fig. 18, represents Heredia oregonensis, size of life. Fig. 19, exhibits the under surface of the same animal. Fig. 20, the head, viewed from above, showing the interocular space. Fig. 21, a profile of the head, exhibiting the gape of the mouth. Fig. 22, front view of the head, showing the situation of the nostrils. Fig. 23, inferior floor of the mouth, and outline of the tongue. Fig. 24, the upper floor of the mouth, with the inner nostrils and disposition of its teeth. Fig. 25, a fragment of skin, somewhat magnified, though not suffi- ciently to exhibit the stellated shape of the little bodies it contains. GENUS XIPHONURA, Tscn. GEX. CHAR. — Head large, very much depressed ; its upper surface convex. Vomerine teeth disposed upon a continued transverse series, behind the inner nostrils ; no teeth on the sphenoid bone. Maxillary teeth quite small, conical, and acute. Tongue large, broad ; attached by most of its under surface, leaving only the edges free. Feet proportionally stout and large. Toes rather short, broad, and subpalmate or free ; callous at their tips. Tail elongated, much compressed, and ensiform ; about the same length as the body. Skin densely studded with minute granules. STN.— Xiphonura, TSCH. in M6m. Soc. Sci. nat. Nench. II, 1838, 95.— GRAY, Catal. Amph. Brit. Mus. II, 1850, 84.— DUM. & BIBR. Erpet. g6n. IX, 1854, 161. OBSERV. — It has been deemed expedient to distinguish generically from Amblystoma, in accordance with Tschudi and Gray, such species, the tail of which is very compressed, and the skin granular ; adding to these characters, a larger tongue and stouter limbs. Besides the species hereinafter described, there is another belonging to the genus Xiphonura, inhabiting the eastern range of the United States, XipJionura jeffersoniana : the Salamandra jeffersoniana of Green, or Triton niyer of Dekay. 4 14 B A T R A C H I A. We are inclined to think that Triton ensatus, from California, de- scribed in Eschscholtz's " Zoologischer Atlas," V, 1833, page 6, and figured on Plate xxii of the same work, will constitute a third species of this genus. XIPHONURA TENEBROSA, Grd. (Plate I, figs. 9-17.) CHAR. SPEC. — Capite valde amplo et depresso. Cauda valde compressa et corporis longilvdinem adequante. Digitis palmarum plantarumque elongatis, complanatis. Cute densa et inconspicue granulata. Supra rubro-fasca, maculis nigro-fuscis interspersis ; infra unicolori. SPEC. CHAR. — -Head very broad and flat. Tail very much compressed, equal to the body in length. Fingers and toes rather long and flattened. Skin densely and inconspicuously granular. Color, dark reddish-brown above, spotted with deeper brown ; beneath, unicolor. SYN. — Amblystoma lenelrosum, B. & G. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1852, 174. DESCR. — The head forms about the sixth of the entire length ; it is proportionally large, and well detached from the body ; depressed and subconcave superiorly ; viewed from above, its shape is ovoidal, nar- rowest forwards. The snout is rounded ; the nostrils are situated high up on the sides, a little more distant from the anterior rim of the orbit than the extremity of the snout. The eyes are of medium size ; their anterior margin is one and a half of their diameter distant from the extremity of the snout. The mouth is broadly cleft. The max- illary teeth are proportionally small, acute, and conical ; disposed upon one row ; somewhat more conspicuous on the lower than on the upper jaw. The vomero-palatine teeth constitute a gently undulating and transverse band, extending from the exterior edge of the inner nostrils to the middle line of the vomer, where the bands from either side meet, without being, however, in immediate contiguity. The sphenoid is entirely deprived of teeth. The inner nostrils themselves are broadly open and far apart. The tongue is very large, broad, attached by most of its under surface ; its lateral margins alone being free and slightly also anteriorly. The neck is almost continuous with the body ; whilst the head is rather detached from it, owing to the development of the temporal region. A double gular fold may be observed. The body itself is BATRACHIAURODELA. 15 subcylindrical. The tail is as long as the body, the head excluded ; it is compressed, subquadrangular upon its anterior third, very thin pos- teriorly, with the upper and lower edges quite sharp, and tapering into a point. The limbs are well developed ; the posterior ones are longer and much stouter than the anterior. In bringing the latter backwards and the former forwards alongside the body, the fingers and toes over- lap each other. The digits are free, rather long and depressed. The first or inner finger is somewhat shorter than the fourth or outermost ; the second and third are the longest, and nearly equal in length. The inner toe is the smallest ; the fifth is a little shorter than the second ; the third is the longest; the fourth is somewhat shorter than the third. The skin, though apparently smooth, is minutely and inconspicu- ously granular to the touch, and when examined under the micro- scope, it is found to contain a dense system of rounded granules, per- haps glands, of various size. The ground color is dark-reddish or chestnut-brown. The upper surface of the head and body is maculated with small, irregular, black spots. Minute yellowish dots are observed on the back, sides, belly, inferior surface of the head and tail, and which seem to corre- spond to the granules of the skin. Loc. — The specimen figured and described was collected in Oregon. Plate I, fig. 9, represents Xiplwnura tenebrosa, size of life. Fig. 10, is the under surface of the same animal. Fig. 11, the head, seen from above, showing the interocular space. Fig. 12, a profile of the head, exhibiting the gape of the mouth. Fig. 13, front view of the head, and situation of the nostrils. Fig. 14, inferior floor of the mouth, and outline of the tongue. Fig. 15, the upper floor of the mouth, with the inner nostrils and the disposition of the vomero-palatine teeth. Fig. 16, a fragment of the skin, taken on the dorsal region ; and Fig. 17, a portion of the skin, taken on the abdominal region. Figs. 16 and 17, being somewhat magnified. TRIBUS II. BATRACHIA ANURA. BODY short and thickish, without tail when adult. Head broad, depressed. Lower jaw toothless. Eyes provided with an upper and a lower lid. Tongue fleshy, either adhering by its entire under surface, else more or less free posteriorly. Two pairs of limbs; pos- terior ones longest. Skin naked or else scaleless, either smooth or warty. No external auricular aperture, but oftentimes a tympanic membrane. Vent round and terminal. SYN. — Anoures, DUM. Zool. anal. 1806.— DUM. & BIBR. Erpet. gen. VIII, 1841, 291. Anura, FITZ. Syst. Kept, i, 1843, 34. OBSERV. — The tailless Batrachians constitute a very natural group, and easily distinguished from the caudate tribe, not merely because the tail is absent in their full-grown state, but chiefly also by a shorter and more compact body, more developed legs, especially the posterior pair, which are adapted to the jump. When teeth exist upon the jaws, they are found upon the upper jaw, never upon the lower one, which is always toothless. Again, vomerine teeth are not constantly met with, and as to sphenoid teeth, they are not known in this group. FAM. KANIDAE. TEETH to the upper jaw, and on the vomer also. Tongue oftentimes bifurcated posteriorly. No parotid glands. Extremities of fingers and toes tapering. Abdomen smooth. SYN. — Ranidae, BONAP. Saggio Distr. metod. Anim. vertebr. 1831, 83. Rnniformes, DUM. & BIBR. Erpet. gen. VIII, 1841. 317. OBSERV. — It will always be easy to distinguish the frogs from the toads, by the presence of teeth to the upper jaw as well as on the vomer. This family is not to be so widely separated from the tree- frogs, as observed further on. B ATB A CHI A AXOUR A. 17 In revising the genera established by various authors,* we have concluded to adopt Leptodactylus, Cystiynatltus, Pleurodema, and Crinia, and to institute several others under the appellation of Ranidella, Wayleria, and Kassina, two of which (Crinia and Kassina], had no representatives in the collection made by the Exploring Expedition. But, as Crinia is intimately related to Ranidella, it will be expected that we should recall the characters by which we propose to distin- guish it as a genus. They are the following : CRIXIA, Tsch. Vomerine teeth few, constituting two groups, situated at the posterior margin of the inner nostrils. Tongue entire ; ob- long in shape. Tympanum inconspicuous. Eustachian tubes small. Fingers and toes not palmated. SYN.— Crinia, TSCH. in Mem. Soc. Sc. nat. Neuch. II, 1838, 78.— GRD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 420. So far but one species of this genus has come to our knowledge, Crinia yeoryiana, Tsch., a native of Australia. GENCS RANA, LINN. GEX. CHAR. — Teeth on the upper jaw. Vomerine teeth situated between the inner nostrils. Tongue broad, oblong, narrowest an- teriorly, bifurcated posteriorly, and free upon the posterior third of its length. Tympanum distinct. Openings of Eustachian tubes varying in size, according to the species. Fingers and toes subcir- cular; the fingers always free; the toes more or less palmated. Processus of the first cuneiform bone, obtuse. Transverse apophy- sis of the sacral vertebra not dilated into pallets. Two internal or external vocal bladders or sacs in the males. SYN.— Rana, LINN. Syst. Nat, ed. VI*, 1748.— DUM & B. Erp. gen. VIII 1841 335. OBSERV. — This genus, as here characterized, is restricted within narrower limits than in the " Erpetologie ge"nerale." * Proc. Acad. Nat. Sei. Philad. VI, 1853, 420. jg B ATRAC HI A. 1. RANA AURORA, B. & G. (Plate II, figs. 1-6.) CAR. SPEC. — Dentibus vomerinis minutis, parum numerosis, in duos acervos oblongos oblique inter interiores nares et paido post illas dispositis. Lingua parva. Tympano modico. Palmis plantisque planis ; palmarum dlgitis elongatis. Ultimo plantarum digitorum articulo Ubero. Parvum corneum tuberculum in plantarum digiti base apparet. Cute Icevi, minutissime porosa. Plicatura dorsali glandulari in utroque latere. SPEC. CHAR. — Vomerine teeth minute, few in number, disposed upon two oblong groups, obliquely situated between and a little behind the inner nostrils. Tongue small. Tympanum of medium size. Hands and feet underneath smooth ; fingers elongated. Terminal joint of toes free; a small horny tubercle at the base of the inner toe. Skin smooth, minutely porous. Two dorsal glandular folds, one on each side. Ground color above greenish-yellow, with golden reflections, maculated with black. A dark area behind the eye ; a yellow line along the upper jaw. Sides of abdomen and hind legs reddish-orange ; beneath dull-yellowish, maculated. Digital mem- brane purplish-violet. SYN.— Rana aurora, B. & G-. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1852, 174. • DESCR. — The head is very much depressed, broader than long, and even upon its upper surface. The snout is subconical, protruding beyond the lower jaw, and declivous from the nostrils to its tip. The canthus rostralis is even with the surface of the snout. The nostrils themselves are elongated, and situated at the upper part of the lateral declivity of the snout, half way between the anterior margin of the eye and the extremity of the muzzle ; the membranous flap which exists upon their posterior edge is thickened into a minute knob, lying in a little depression. The eyes are moderate in size, and cir- cular, with the iris black. The margin of the upper lid is quite thin, and exhibits several folds, one anteriorly, the others posteriorly. The BATRACHIAANOURA. 19 tympanum is subcircular; its diameter being a little smaller than that of the eye, and contained once and a half between the orbit and the extremity of the snout. The mouth is very large ; the upper jaw- being emarginated, and the tongue oblong, narrow, and moderately forked. The inner nostrils are conspicuous and transversely elongated. The vomerine teeth, situated between and somewhat behind the latter, constitute two elliptical groups, inclined sideways. The openings of the tubes of Eustachi are subcircular and proportionally large. The body itself is elongated and depressed. The limbs are long and slender, especially the hind ones, which are longer than the body and head together, measured from their origin to the base of the tarsus. The feet themselves are as long as the thighs. The fingers are long and stout ; the innermost, or thumb, is a little longer than the second, which is the shortest ; the outermost is about the same length with the first. Their terminal phalanx is knob-shaped beneath, resembling in that respect the tubercles which may be observed under the articulations of the phalanges. The palm of the hand is smooth ; two elongated and flattened horny disks may be seen upon its base, large, though not prominent. The interdigital membrane is deeply concave between the toes, and does not quite reach their tips. Tubercles are observed under the articulations of the pha- langes. The tarsus beneath is perfectly smooth, and provided only with a small horny process at the base and outer edge of the first toe. The skin is smooth all over the body and limbs, above and below. Two longitudinal zones of minute pores may be seen extending from behind the orbits, immediately above the tympanum, to near the pos- terior region of the body. „ The color above is greenish-yellow, with golden reflections along the upper jaw, dorsal region, and on the limbs. Two dorsal black bands extend over the series of pores. A narrow black vitta exists on the line of the canthus rostralis, between the nostrils and the eye, and another along the upper and posterior margin of the tympanum. The sides of the abdomen, and sides of the legs also, are reddish-orange. Black spots and dots are scattered all over the body, head, and limbs, largest posteriorly. The upper lid, the snout, and the edge of the upper jaw are dotted with black. The iris is golden. The membrane uniting the toes is purplish or violet. Beneath, dull yellowish-green, maculated with blackish on the inferior surface of the head, from the 20 B A T R A C H I A. extremity of the lower jaw to the middle of the abdomen. The limbs underneath show similar traces of maculas. Specimens of this species were collected on Puget's Sound, Oregon, in May, 1841. We consider as belonging to the same species, a dozen of immature individuals, collected on Columbia River, Oregon. Plate II, fig. 1, represents Rana aurora, size of life, and in profile. Fig. 2, is a profile of the head. Fig. 3, an outline of the head, seen from above. Fig. 4, an outline of the same region, from beneath. Fig. 5, under surface of the right hand. Fig. 6, under surface of the right foot. 2. RANA PRETIOSA, B. & G. (Plate II, figs. 13-18.) CAR. SPEC. — Tympano parvo. Palmis planis. Plantis granulatis. Palmarum digitis gracilibus et gradatim minuentibus. Plantarum digitis palmatis ; longissimi solummodo terminali articulo libero. Parvo planoque corneo processu in interioris digiti base ; minuto, conicali, metatarsali tuberculo, inter quartum et quintum digitum. Cute scortea, minutis granulis in anteriori, majoribus in posteriori dorsi parte, et in abdominis lateribus, cooperta. Dorsali pororum serie in utroque latere. Qlandulari carina per longitudinem maxillae superioris. SPEC. CHAR. — Tympanum rather small. Hands smooth. Feet under- neath granulated. Fingers slender and tapering. Toes webbed ; terminal joint of longest one alone free. A small and flattened horny process at the base of the inner toe, and a minute, conical, metatarsal tubercle between the fourth and fifth toes. Skin leathery, finely granular on the anterior portion of the back ; more coarsely so posteriorly, and on the sides of the abdomen. Two depressed dorsal BATRACHIAAXOURA. 21 series of pores, one on each. side. A glandular ridge along the upper jaw. STN.— • Rana preliosa, B. & G. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 378. OBSERV. — Tlie chief feature, which will at once distinguish this species from the preceding one, consists in its much shorter limbs, especially the hind ones, together with the membrane of the feet which extends to the very tip of the toes. The granulation of the body and inferior surface of the feet, are other external characters which may assist in distinguishing it from Sana aurora. The groups of vomerine teeth approximate also closer together, and the tongue is free upon a greater extent than in the latter species. DESCR. — The head is a little broader posteriorly than long ; its upper surface is subconcave. The snout is rounded, less prominent than in R. aurora, and declivous on each side. The nostrils, which are situated towards its upper surface, are elliptical in shape, and placed midway between the extremity of the snout and the anterior rim of the orbit. Immediately behind the nostrils may be observed a little depression, into which fits a mammelliform tubercle, attached to the membranes passing over the nostrils themselves. The eyes are large and subcircular, and greater in diameter than half the distance between them and the tip of the snout. The tympanum is subcircular and smaller in diameter than the eye. The mouth is broad ; the tongue large and subcordiform, broadest posteriorly, deeply emargi- nated, and free upon the half of its length. The maxillary teeth are very small ; inconspicuous though acute. The vomerine teeth con- stitute two oblong groups, situated between and a little behind the inner nostrils, nearer the latter and closer to one another, than in R. aurora. The inner nostrils themselves are transversely oblong, rather' small, whilst the tubes of Eustachi are quite large, and, therefore, more conspicuous. The body is rather short, and subcylindrical in shape. The legs, as already stated, are proportionally much smaller than in R. aurora, whilst the fingers are longer, more slender, and tapering. The inner one is very fleshy upon its origin ; it is longer than the second, and shorter than the third, which is the longest; the fourth, or outermost, is slightly longer than the second. Two horny protuberances are 22 BATKACHIA. seen at the base of the carpus ; they are quite flattened and not very apparent. The palm of the hand exhibits two horny disks, otherwise it is smooth; small tubercles exist under the articulations of the fingers. The feet are very broad, proportionally broader than in R. aurora. The membrane which unites the toes extends to their very tip, form- ing a very open curve between each of them. The fourth, or longest toe alone, stretches a little way beyond the edge of the web. Small, but conspicuous tubercles, are observed under each digital articulation; besides, there are very small granules along the toes and all over the tarsus. A compressed horny tubercle is to be observed at the base and outer edge of the inner toe, and a very small and conical one at the base of the longest or fourth. The skin, at first sight, appears smooth, but, on a careful examination, granules will be found on the upper part of the head, down the back and sides, and over the limbs ; more developed, however, posteriorly, on the region of the coccyx and thighs. It is the same granulation which we have noticed under the feet. The inferior surface of the head, belly, and inner side of the legs, is perfectly smooth. The upper surface of the head and snout exhibits small black spots. A black line extends from the nostrils to the eyes, and from the pos- terior rim of the orbit to near the shoulder, exists an elongated, pos- teriorly tapering, deep-brown band, margined with black, and covering entirely the tympanum, such as may be observed in Rana temporaria of Europe, and Rana sylvatica of the United States. The upper region of the body and limbs is yellowish-brown; irregu- larly rounded black blotches and dots may be seen along the dorsal region between the glandulous ridges ; these series or zones are them- selves of a lighter hue, lined above and below with irregular black dots. The sides of the abdomen are greenish-brown or dusky. The upper surface of the limbs are blotched in the same manner as the back, more conspicuously upon the hind ones. The color beneath is dull yellowish-white, marmorated anteriorly with brown. In the immature state the dorsal blotches are very distinctly marked, subcircular or oblong, forming three irregular series, on a ground color that has much less of the red than in the adult. Beneath of a soiled white. The granulation of the skin is as strongly marked as in the adult. The color, as described here in the young as well as in the adult, is taken from specimens preserved in alcohol, no sketch having been made from life. BATRACHIAANOURA. 23 All the specimens of this species were collected 011 Puget's Sound, Oregon. - - Plate II, fig. 13, represents Rana pretiosa, size of life. Fig. 14, a profile view of the head. Fig. 15, the head, seen from above. Fig. 16, the head, from beneath. Fig. 17, under surface of the left hand. Fig. 18, under surface of the left foot. 3. RANA DRAYTONI, B. & G. (Plate II, figs. 19-24.) CAR. SPEC. — Tijmpano oUongo et amplo. Palmis ei plantis plani* ; digitis pahnarum robu-sfis. Cruribus permagnis. Femori et tibia tantummodo non cequalibus, et dimidiam corporis longitudinem fere attingentibus. Plantarum digitis ad articulum terminalem usque pahnatis. Oblongo et cnrneo processu in bat* primi plantarum digiti, nee non tubercido circulars et rudimentari in base tarsi ex adverse lonT. CHAR. — Vomerine teeth disposed upon two oblong groups, situa- ted between the inner nostrils. Tongue subcircular, slightly emar- ginated, or entire posteriorly. Tympanum indistinct. Toes either entirely free or else provided with a rudimentary membrane at their base or along their edges. Skin pustulous or granular ; sometimes a large lumbar gland on each side. STN. — Pleurodema, Tscn. Mem. Soc. Sc. nat, Neuch. II, 1838, 84. — BELL, Zool. Voy. Beagle. V, 1843. 36.— GRD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 420. OBSERV. — Contrary to the opinion of Dumeril & Bibron, and in accordance with that of Bell, we adopt the genus Pleurodema of Tschudi, to include such species of the genus Cystignathus, as under- 10 38 -B A T E A C H I A. stood by the French herpetologists, which are provided with large and conspicuous lumbar glands. It is upon that character, exclusively to any other, that Thomas Bell reinstated the genus Pleurodema in the " Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle." Although it should be found that Pleurodema has a greater affinity with Cystignathus than with Bombinator — a fact which would bear upon its systematic position — yet there is no sufficient ground to com- bine its species with Cystignathus in one and the same group. The species of this genus known to the present day are : PLEURODEMA BUFONIUM, Bell ; P. DARWINII, Bell ; P. NODOSA Grd. ( Cystignathus nodosus, DUM & BIBR.), and those described further on. 1. PLEURODEMA BIBRONI, Tsch. (Plate IV, figs, 33-38.) SPEC. CHAR. — An ovoid lumbar gland on each side. Tympanum not apparent. Toes margined with a membranous fold. Two meta- tarsal tubercles. A cutaneous tarsal ridge. Skin generally smooth, occasionally pustulous. SYN. — Pleurodema libroni, TSCH. in M6m. Soc. Sc. nat. Neuch. II, 1838, 85. — GRD. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sei. Philad. VI, 1853, 420. Bombinator ocellatus, Mus. Leyde. Cystignathus Libroni, DUM. & BIBR. Erp. gen. VIII, 1841, 410. Bufo arunco, LESS. Zool. Voy. Coq. II, i, 1830, 64. PI. vu, fig. 5. Pleurodema arunco, GRD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 420. OBSERV. — In the Zoology of the " Voyage de la Coquille," Plate vn, fig. 5, Lesson gives a figure of the species here referred to, under the name of Bufo arunco, Schn. But Schneider himself is not the author of that specific name, since the latter quotes Molina, " Hist, de Chile," 1, 1788, 393, who, however, placed it in the genus Sana. Molina's diagnosis could never be in- tended for Pleurodema bibroni, for it reads : Rana arunco, corpore verrucoso, pedibus palmatis. Lesson's descriptions of Bufo arunco and B. thaul, are transposed with regard to headings : evidently a printer's mistake. DESCR. — The head is somewhat broader than long ; its upper sur- face declivous, and the outline of the snout rounded. The nostrils BATRACHIAAyOURA. 39 are a little nearer the orbits than the margin of the upper jaw. The eyes are subelliptical, of medium size. The eyelid is perfectly smooth above, like the upper surface of the head. The tongue is subelliptical, slightly notched posteriorly as well as anteriorly. The vomerine teeth are disposed upon two oblong groups, situated be- tween the inner nostrils, quite apart from each other, almost trans- versal, the anterior extremity of each group reaching the inner margin of the latter openings, which, themselves, are quite conspi- cuous, well proportioned to the average size of the animal, and subcir- cular in shape. The openings of the Eustachian tubes are quite small. The tympanum is very small, its diameter being less than half that of the eye. The body is elongated, subcylindrical, broader anteriorly than the head, tapering posteriorly, though in general appearance raniform. The limbs are rather slender ; the anterior ones, when bent back- wards alongside to the body, are made to reach the groin with the extremity of the fingers ; the latter are subcylindrical, slightly swollen upon their extremities, and provided under their articulations with small rounded tubercles ; the second and fourth are equal in length, and shorter than the first. The palm of the hand is tubercu- lous; the first finger possesses a large, basal, and oblong tubercle; an- other, still larger tubercle, may be seen at the base of the carpus. The land legs are longer than the body and head together, for the whole length of the toes and metatarsus. The toes are subdepressed, bordered with a membranous fold, and slightly webbed at their base. Their articulations are provided underneath with small tubercles; a few granules may occasionally be seen on the sole of the feet. The metatarsal tubercle, at the base of the first toe, is large and con- spicuous, whilst the other is quite small. The tarsus is provided inwardly with a cutaneous fold, and the leg, from the knee to the tarsus, has a conspicuous, floating membrane, outwardly. The skin is generally smooth all over the head, body, and legs. Occasionally small pustules are observed on the dorsal region and on the sides of the abdomen. The lumbar glands are large and ovoid. The ground color is reddish or greyish-brown, maculated with deep chestnut-brown. The maculae on the upper parts of the body are either distinct or confluent, always very irregular in shape or out- lines. The dorsal blotches may be margined with a light whitish line ; 40 BATEACHIA. on the hind legs the blotches assume a transverse arrangement. Dots of the same color as the blotches are spread all over the surface, inter- mingled with whitish dots. Black spots are always to be observed on the lumbar glands, but not constantly upon their middle; they occupy sometimes the posterior half, varying in height. Several spots may likewise be noticed on the same gland. In one individual, where the blackish spot occupies the central portion of the gland, being sur- rounded then by a whitish areola, a whitish dot existed in the centre of the spot. A brown vitta extends from the eye, over the line of the can thus rostralis, to the very margin of the jaw, covering the nostril ; the vitta from either side not coming into contact. In advance and under the eye is a patch, variable in shape, generally, however, sub- quadrangular, and occasionally extending from the margin of the jaw to the rim of the orbit. From the postero-inferior part of the orbit to the shoulder, extends an elongated and tapering patch, of deep-brown, sometimes margined with white. Immediately above the tympanum and behind the eye, is another irregular patch. The occipital region is covered by the largest patch ; in advance of which, and between the rostral vittaa, may be seen an elongated spot of the same color. Beneath, the color is whitish, the legs being sometimes reddish and occasionally clouded. Numerous specimens were collected at Valparaiso, Coast of Chile. "Keeps about wet grounds, and manners entirely those of the true Rana" [Pickering.] Plate IV, fig. 33, represents Pleurodema bibroni, size of life. Fig. 34, is a side view of the head. Fig. 35, the head, seen from above. Fig. 36, the head, seen from beneath. Fig. 37, under surface of right hand. Fig. 38, under surface of left foot. 2. PLEURODEMA ELEGANS, Bell. (Plate IV, figs. 28-32.) SPEC. CHAR. — An ovoid lumbar gland on each side. Tympanum apparent, very small. Toes with a basal rudimentary membrane. BATRACHIAANOURA. 41 Skin smooth. A light longitudinal vitta or line from the snout to posterior extremity of the body. N.— Pleurodema eleyins, BELL, Zool. Voy. Beagle. V, 1843, 39. PI. xvn, fig. 4.— GRD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 420. Cystiynathus eleyans, GuiCH. in Gay, Hist, de Chile. Zool. II, 1848, 101. DESCR. — Although this species may easily be distinguished from the preceding one by the light line extending all along the dorsal region, still it is very closely related to it by all the characters of its structure. The general form is more slender, subfusiform, and the head more coni- cal, being as long as broad. The snout is regularly rounded in a view from above. The nostrils are small and circular, and equidistant between the anterior rim of the eye and the margin of the upper jaw. The eyes, themselves, are subcircular, not prominent, with their dia- meter equal to the distance between them and the nostrils. The upper lid is smooth. The interocular space is equal to the diameter of the eye. The tympanum is more apparent than in the preceding species, but is very small. The tongue is subcircular, thick, slightly emarginated anteriorly, posteriorly entire, and free for about the fourth of its length. The vomerine teeth are disposed upon two oval groups as in the pre- ceding species, and situated between the inner nostrils, though some- what more obliquely. The inner nostrils, themselves, are circular and well developed. The openings of the Eustachian tubes are exceed- ingly small. The anterior legs have proportionally the same length compared to the body as in the preceding species, that is to say, when bent back- wards the tips of the fingers are made to reach the groins. The fin- gers are subdepressed, and their articulations provided beneath with small tubercles. The palm of the hand is finely granular, and at its base may be seen two quite large metacarpal tubercles. The tips of the fingers are round and smooth. The hind legs are almost equal in length to the body and head together. The toes are subdepressed like the fingers ; slightly united at their base by a membrane, which, how- ever, does not extend along their edge. Tubercles exist under their articulations. The sole of the feet is smooth. The metatarsal tu- bercles are quite prominent, and conical, though small. The membra- nous ridge, at the inside of the tarsus, is not very conspicuous. The skin is smooth throughout. The ground color above is brown, clouded with darker patches. 11 42 BATRACHIA. A yellowish-white vitta or stripe extends over the back, from the tip of the snout to the posterior extremity of the body. An elongated, dark patch extends from the eye to the shoulder, and two elliptical ones exist upon the extremity of the snout, in advance and beneath the eye ; on the margin of the jaw may be observed a subquadran- gular spot. Collected near Valparaiso, Chile. Plate IV, fig. 28, represents Pleurodema elegans, size of life. Fig. 29, the head, viewed in profile. Fig. 30, upper view of the head. Fig. 31, under surface of left hand. Fig. 32, under surface of right foot. GENUS WAGLERIA, GIRARD. CAR. GEN. — Dentibus vomerinis in continuam transversam seriem post interiores nares dispositis. Tympano parvo, inconspicuo. Lingual postice parumper incisa. Plantarum digitis plicaturd membraned marginalia. GEN. CHAR. — Vomerine teeth disposed upon a continuous transverse series, situated behind the inner nostrils. Tympanum small and inconspicuous. Tongue slightly notched posteriorly. Toes bordered by a membranous fold. SYN.— Wagleria, GED. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 42. OBSERV. — Should Cystignatlms dorsalis, GRAY, prove specifically distinct from Wagleria peroni, this genus will then be composed of two species, both natives of Australia. Having no specimens of the latter at our command, our acquaintance with it is through the description of John Edward Gray. WAGLERIA PERONI, Grd. (Plate III, figs. 29-33. , SPEC. CHAR. — Band of vomerine teeth long and slender. Tongue BATRACHIAANOURA. 43 eubcircular, free upon its posterior third. Toes elongated and slender. Skin perfectly smooth. Ground color fuliginous, macu- lated above ; unicolor beneath. SYN. — Cystiynathus peronii, DOM. & BIBR. Erp. gen. VIII, 1841, 409. Wayleria pf.ronii, GRD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 421. DESCR. — The unique specimen of this species which we have before us is about an inch long. That it is Cysiignaihus peroni of Duine*- ril & Bibron, we can only infer from their description, which, as far as it goes, applies perfectly to it. It must, however, be remembered that the said description is extremely brief, and hardly sufficient to establish thoroughly its identity. The head forms about the third of the entire length, the limbs always excepted. It is a little broader than long, and when viewed from above, subovoid in its outline. Its upper surface is even and smooth, the snout being rather prominent and rounded. The nostrils are small, and nearer the eye than the margin of the upper jaw. The eyes are subelliptical, proportionally large; their longitudinal diameter being greater than the interocular space, and comprised twice in the rostral distance between their anterior rim and the nostrils. The upper lid is smooth above, and its margin sharp, and projecting con- siderably over the eyeball. The tympanum is indistinct, circular, rather small ; its diameter being half that of the eye. It is situated immediately above and posteriorly to the angle of the mouth. The tongue is subcircular, very slightly emarginated posteriorly, and free for about one-third of its length. The inner nostrils are small but conspicuous and circular; the openings of the Eustachian tubes are smaller, though similar in form. The series of vomerine teeth is narrow and long; placed at some distance behind the inner nostrils, and extending almost across the whole width of the roof of the palate. The body is elongated, subcylindrical. The anterior legs, when brought backwards alongside with the body, are made to reach the groins with the extremities of the fingers ; the latter are subcylindri- cal, slender, and tapering, and provided beneath with small tubercles. The palm of the hand is smooth. There are two oblong metacarpal tubercles, the one at the base of the first finger being the largest. 1 he first, second, and fourth fingers are almost equal in length. The hind legs are longer than the body and head together, for the whole length of the foot. The toes being slender and subcylindrical, margined in 44 BATRACHIA. the male by a membranous fold. The articulations, beneath, are provided with tubercles. The sole of the feet is smooth. There are two metatarsal tubercles ; the outer one very small and inconspicuous. The skin is perfectly smooth all over. The ground color is fuliginous with rather large brownish maculae, one of which spreading over the occipital region and portion of the head and eyelid. The others are arranged upon irregular series along the back. The legs are barred. A brown streak runs from the margin of the upper jaw, along the line of the canthus rostralis to the eye. The sides of the abdomen and inferior region being unicolor, of a somewhat duller hue. Collected in Southeastern Australia. Plate III, fig. 29, represents Wagleria peroni, size of life. Fig. 30, side view of the head. Fig. 31, upper view of the head. Fig. 32, under surface of right hand. Fig. 33, under surface of left foot. GENUS KANIDELLA, GIRARD. CAR. GEN. — Dentibus vomerinis nullis. Lingua elongata, subelliptica, postice Integra vel leviter emarginata,, per tertian longitudinis partem Hbera. Tympana inconspicuo. Tubulis Eustachianis parvulissimis. Plantarum digitis subcylindricalibus, minuentibus, liberis. GEN. CHAR. — Vomerine teeth none. Tongue elongated, subelliptical, posteriorly entire or else slightly emarginated, free upon one-third of its length. Tympanum not visible. Eustachian tubes minute. Toes subcylindrical, tapering, perfectly free. Svx.—Ranidella, GRD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 421. OBSERV. — This genus is allied to Oxyglossus and Leiuperus by the absence of teeth on the palate ; differing, however, from both of them in having its tympanum entirely hidden, and its toes perfectly free. KANIDELLA SIGNIFERA, Grd. (Plate III, figs. 39-43.) CAR. SPEC. — Cute supra, subtuberculosa, infra glandulosa. Macula hasti- BATRACHIA A.X 0 U R A. 45 forma In capile. Yitta dorsuali lala, fusca, arilice bifurcata ad ex- Iremilalem maculae cephalicae accipienclum. Villa lateraU exirjua, ijrisea, infra quam est villa exiyuior fusco nigrescens; abdominis lateri- el venire marmoralis. SPEC. CHAR. — Skin above, subtuberculous ; beneath, glandulous. A spear-shaped blotch on the head. A broad, dorsal, deep-brown band, anteriorly bifurcated, to admit the extremity of the cephalic blotch. A lateral, greyish, narrow band, beneath which, another still narrower blackish-brown band. Sides of abdomen and belly marmorated. Svx.—Ranidella si'yni/era, GRD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 422. DESCR. — This diminutive species, the only one hitherto known of its genus, has a comparatively small and conical head ; when seen from above, it is depressed as usual, forming about the third of the length, the limbs excluded. The snout is rounded. The nostrils are quite small and subelliptical, almost equidistant between the anterior rim of the eyes and the margin of the upper jaw, rather nearer the former than the latter. The eyes, themselves, are elliptical, prominent; their longitudinal diameter being equal to the distance between their ante- rior rim and the tip of the snout. The interocular space is somewhat wider than the upper lid. The tympanum is entirely hid under the skin. The mouth is deeply cleft ; the tongue is elongated, subcylin- drical, narrowest anteriorly, free posteriorly, for about the third of its length, and showing but a very obsolete indentation. The inner nostrils are subcircular, quite conspicuous, situated towards the edges of the roof of the palate. The openings of the Eustachian tubes are minute, scarcely perceptible. The maxillary teeth are exceedingly small. The symphysis of the upper jaw is entire ; that of the lower jaw is provided with a very small knob. The body is elongated, raniform, subcylindrical, somewhat depressed. The anterior legs, when inclined backwards, reach the groins with the tip of the fingers. These, as well as the toes, are free, subcylin- drical, tapering into a point, and provided under their articulations with small tubercles. The first finger is shorter than the second, which is longer than the fourth ; the third is conspicuously the longest. The palm of the hand is rugose ; there are two metacarpal tubercles 12 46 BATRACHIA. or horny disks, the outermost being the largest, whilst the innermost, which is situated at the base of the first finger, is inconspicuous. The hind legs are slender, longer than the body and head together, by the whole length of the fourth toe. The inner edge of the tarsus exhibits a horny ridge. The sole of the feet is smooth. The outer metatarsal tubercle is smaller than the inner one. The skin above, is provided with elongated, warty tubercles, ex- tending over the head and dorsal region. The inferior regions are covered with crowded, large, pavement-like glands, especially con- spicuous on the abdomen. The ground color above, is sometimes uniform greyish-brown, with transverse blackish maculae upon the legs. A blackish vitta extends from the tip of the snout along the line of the canthus rostralis, through the eye towards the shoulder, and tapering into a point. A blackish triangular patch may be observed on the margin of the upper jaw, in advance and beneath the eye, or else several spots all along the branch of the maxillary. A yellowish-green band may be observed from under the eye to the angle of the jaw. The lower surface of the head is blackish-brown. The belly is yellowish-brown, scattered all over with small black spots ; the legs reddish brown, like- wise maculated ; the fingers and toes being reddish. In other individuals a spear-shaped spot exists upon the middle region of the head, behind which, and all along the back, may be seen a brownish-black band, anteriorly bifurcated, so as to admit the poste- rior extremity of the cephalic spot. On each side of the dorsal band is another, narrower band, of a yellowish-grey, stretching over the head, and along the sides of the body ; from behind the orbits to the groins, extends a still narrower, brownish-black, band. This species is a native of Australia : several specimens having been collected on the southeastern coast of that continent. Plate III, fig. 39, represents Ranidella signifera, size of life. Fig. 40, is a profile of the head. Fig. 41, an upper view of the head. Fig. 42, under surface of the left hand. Fig. 43, under surface of the right foot. B A T R A C H I A A N 0 U R A. 47 FAM. HYLIDAE. Teeth in the upper jaw, and generally on the vomer also. Tongue oftentimes bifurcated posteriorly. No parotid glands. Extremities of fingers and toes dilated into a disk-like expansion. Abdomen generally glandulous. STN. — Hylae, TSCH. Mem. Soc. Sci. nat. Neucb. II, 1838, 70. Hylaeformes, DUM. & BIBR. Erp. gen. VIII, 1841, 491. OBSERV. — Time may come when herpetologists will no longer admit of any primary distinction between the frogs (Ranidae) and the tree frogs (Hylidae). The dilatation of the extremities of the fingers in tree frogs seems to loose some of its value in Ranoidea and Halophila, and accordingly bears somewhat upon their habits. GEXUS RANOIDEA, TSCH. GEN*. CHAR. — Yomerine teeth disposed upon two groups, situated between the inner nostrils. Tongue large, subcircular or elliptical, slightly notched posteriorly, and free about one-third or less of its length. Tympanum distinct. Eustachian tubes large. Fingers and toes depressed, terminated by small subelliptical disks ; former, perfectly free ; latter, webbed. A vocal, subgular, bladder in the male. Abdomen gland ulous. -• SYN. — Ranoidea, TSCH. Mem. Soc. Sci. nat. Xeuch. II, 1838, 76. — GBD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 422. OBSERV. — The aspect of the genus Ranoidea is ranine, owing to the elongation of the head and body. The structure of the feet and the disposition of the vomerine teeth remind us of the genus Rana, whilst the tongue and the dilatation of the digits give to it a certain affinity with Hyla. The dilatations of the fingers and toes, however, are much less developed than in Hyla ; and the fingers are never pal- mated. If habits go for anything in the distinction of genera, the fact that Ranoidians are more frequently seen about waters than on trees, would certainly have a weight in the question. The United States Exploring Expedition has brought home two 48 BATRACHIA. very characteristic species, both of which being apparently distinct from the one upon which Tschudi has framed his genus, labelled in the Museum of Paris, Hyla jaclcsoniensis. The latter name having received no publicity until 1838, and the same species having been de- scribed by Lesson in 1830, its nomenclature will read as follows: RANOIDEA AUREA, GRD. — Rana aurea, LESS. Voy. Coq. Zool. II, i, 1830, 60. PI. vn, fig. 2. (See page 02 of the present volume.) Ranoidea jaclcsoniensis, TSCH. Mem. Soc. Sci. nat. Neuch. II, 1838, 79. Hyla jacksoniemis, Mus. Par. MS.— BUM. & BIBE. Erp. gen. VIII, 1841, 602. It is more closely allied to R. resplendens than to R. flavo-viridis. We regret not being prepared to establish its identity or difference upon the specimens of the Paris Museum. 1. RANOIDEA RESPLENDENS, Grd. (Plate III, figs. 7-12.) CAR. SPEC. — Capite depresso, producto. Tympano marjno, elliptico. Lingua modica. Plantarum diyitis ad discos terminal®} usque pal- matis ; membrana emarginata. Supra viridi, maculis et lineis aureis notata. SPEC. CHAR. — Head depressed, elongated. Tympanum large, ellip- tical. Tongue moderate. Toes webbed, up to the digital disks ; membrane emarginated. Deep-green above, maculated and streaked with gold. SYN. — Ranoidea resplendens, GRD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 422. DESCR. — The general physiognomy of this species is most raniform ; the head and body being quite elongated. The head is longer than broad, depressed, subconcave on the occipital region, and flat ante- riorly. The snout is prominently rounded, and equally declivous towards the tip of the snout and sideways, where it is subconcave. The canthus rostralis is but slightly apparent, and beneath which are situated the rather small and subconical nostrils, equidistant between the anterior rim of the eye and the extremity of the upper jaw. The eyes are of medium size, subcircular ; their diameter being equal to the rostral distance between their anterior rim and the nostrils. The B A T R A C H I A A N 0 U R A. 49 interocular space is somewhat smaller than their diameter. The tym- panum is rather large, elliptical, and obliquely situated above the angle of the mouth. Its greatest diameter is equal to that of the eye. The mouth is large ; the tongue elliptical, notched posteriorly, and free for about one-fifth of its length. The inner nostrils are large, semi-circular, concave upon their posterior margin ; their anterior margin being nearly rectilinear. The openings of the Eustachian tubes are larger than the inner nostrils, and similarly shaped, but their convexity is on the opposite side. The vomerine teeth constitute two elongated groups, disposed upon a transverse line between the inner nostrils; very little interrupted upon the middle, and close to the inner edge of the latter openings. The body is broader than deep ; the neck is slightly contracted. The limbs are well developed ; the anterior ones, when bent back- wards alongside with the body, project the tip of their fingers beyond the groins. The fingers, themselves, are depressed and perfectly free; the first one is nearly equal to the second ; the fourth is longer than the first and second ; the third is the longest ; they are provided with large tubercles under their articulations. The terminal disks are sub- elliptical. The palm of the hand is granular. There are no meta- carpal tubercles ; the base of the first finger is considerably swollen, and upon its outer margin may be seen a horny growth representing probably the tubercle which is usually found there in batrachians. In bringing the posterior legs forwards, the tarsus and foot project beyond the extremity of the snout. A membranous fold is observed along the inner edge of the tarsus. A single, considerably developed, metatarsi tubercle exists at the base of the outer toe. The sole of the feet is smooth. The toes are depressed like the fingers, and pro- vided beneath their articulations with conspicuous tubercles. The digital dilatations are smaller than anteriorly, but are elliptical in their shape. The membrane which unites the toes, extends to the extremity of the last phalanx (to the last but one in the fourth), but is emargi- nated, though not so much so as in the following species. The skin is smooth throughout, if we except the sides of the abdo- men, the belly, and the inferior surface of the thighs, which are glandulous. The ground color above, is of a beautiful deep-green. On each side of the back there is a sinuous golden streak. A similar band of gold extends from behind the eyes to the posterior region of the body. 50 BATRACHIA. A yellowish vitta runs from the snout to the angle of the mouth, in passing under the eyes and nostrils. A black vitta is observed on the line of the canthus rostralis, and is seen beyond the eye, running to a considerable distance on the flanks, sending off a black patch behind the tympanum. The iris and upper lid are golden. The forelegs are green on the sides, margined with black, and golden above ; the hind legs are golden on the sides, and green above. The fingers, toes, and membrane are golden-yellow. Underneath, the color is of a uniform yellowish tint. Caught in January, 1840, at Woolongong, Illawara, New South Wales, in water near the coast, and sketched from life by Mr. Dray ton. Plate III, fig. 7, represents Ranoidea resplendens, size of life. Fig. 8, a side view of the head. Fig. 9, an upper view of the head. Fig. 10, the head, seen from beneath. Fig. 11, under surface of the left hand. Fig. 12, under surface of the left foot. 2. RANOIDEA FLAVO-VIRIDIS, Grd. CAR. SPEC. — C(tpite depresso, discoidali. Tympano modico, orbiculato. Lingua magna. Plantarum digilis ad postremae plialangis medium usque palmatis ; membrana valde emarginata. Supra viridi; cantho rostrali linea niyra notato; quae linea post oculum continuatur. Femoris super ficie posteriori pur pur escente, punctis albis notata. SPEC. CHAR. — Head depressed, discoid. Tympanum moderate, circular. Tongue large. Toes webbed to the middle of the last phalanx ; mem- brane deeply emarginated. Above, green with a black line along the canthus rostralis, and a black band behind the eye. Posterior surface of thighs purplish, white dotted. SYN. — Ranoidea flavo-viridis, GRD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 422. DESCR. — The head is broader than long, very much depressed, flat- tened upon the occiput, and between the eyes. Viewed from above, BATRACHIAANOURA. 51 it is almost subelliptical, its sides being rounded, and the snout not very prominent, itself rounded above and declivous upon the sides. The nostrils are oblong, situated immediately below the canthus ros- tralis, and nearer the extremity of the upper jaw than the anterior rim of the orbit. The eyes are large, prominent, their longitudinal diameter being greater than the rhinic distance between their anterior rim and the nostrils. The upper lid is smooth, like the skin of the head and back. The interocular space is a little less than their diameter. The tympanum is conspicuous, circular, its diameter being half that of the eye. The mouth is large, and so is the tongue, which is regularly elliptical, and but slightly emarginated, slightly free pos- teriorly and laterally. The inner nostrils are very large, subtrian- gular ; the openings of the Eustachian tubes are much smaller. The vomerine teeth constitute two oblong groups, situated exactly between the inner nostrils; subtransversal, separated from each other by a narrow space, and approximating closely to the inner edge of the nostrils. The body is flattened like the head, broad anteriorly, and tapering posteriorly. The limbs are slender and long, compared to the body. The anterior ones, however, when brought alongside to the body, only reach the groins with the extremities of the fingers. The latter are entirely free, depressed, provided with tubercles under their articulations. The disks under their extremities are oblong and of medium size. The palm of the hand is subgranular, and provided at its base with two flattened disks almost blended with the skin. The hind legs are longer than the body and head together, by two-thirds of the tarsus and the remaining portion of the foot. The tarsus exhibits a small membranous ridge along its inner edge. The sole of the feet is very minutely pustulous. The toes are webbed up to the middle of the last phalanx (on the fourth toe to the end of the last but one) ; but the membrane is very deeply emarginated. The tubercles under their articulations are quite conspicuous. The termi- nal expansions are fashioned like those of the fingers, being rather small compared to the size of the animal. The skin is smooth throughout ; small glands may be seen on the side of the chest, on the abdomen, and under the thighs. The color above, is green, with yellowish tints about the eyes, the sides of the abdomen, and legs. A narrow black vitta extends along the line of the canthus rostralis. A black, much broader vitta, extends from behind the eyes to the sides beyond the shoulders. The 52 BATRACHIA. thighs posteriorly are bluish-purple, minutely dotted with white. Underneath, the color is uniform yellowish-green. A young specimen exhibits a much deeper green hue upon the upper region, while the sides of the legs are of a deeper yellow, almost orange. In the same individual, the palatine teeth constitute but two very indistinct groups, apparently more distant from each other, than in the one just described ; but this may be accounted for by the smaller size of the inner nostrils, which are elliptical instead of being triangular. Specimens were found about fresh-water streams, near Woolongong, Illawara, New South Wales, at the residence of the Attorney-General, in January, 1840. GENUS HYLARANA, TSCH. GEN. CHAR. — Vomerine teeth disposed upon two groups, situated between or behind the inner nostrils. Tongue elongated, narrow anteriorly, broad, and forked posteriorly. Tympanum distinct. Eustachian tubes moderate. Fingers free. Toes webbed. Sub- digital disks moderate. SYN. — Hylarana, TSCH. Mem. Soc. Sci. nat. Neuch. II, 1838, 78. — GRD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 423. Limnodytes, DUM. & BIBR. Erp. gen. VIII, 1841, 510. Ranhyla, DUM. & BIBR. Erp. gen. VIII, 1841, 511. ORSERV. — This genus combines the structure of both Sana and Hyla, having all the characters of true Rana with the exception that the extremities of the fingers and toes are dilated into a disk, which is much less developed, however, than in Hyla. HYLARANA MINDANENSIS, Grd. CAR. SPEC. — Denies vomerini inter et post nares interiores in duos acervos elongates collocantur. Cute pustalosa. Colore fusco-viridescente ; maxilla superiori maculata. BATRACHIAANOURA. 53 SPEC. CHAR. — Vomerine teeth disposed upon two elongated groups, situated between and behind the inner nostrils. Skin pustulous, greenish-brown; upper jaw spotted. SYN.— Hylara.no, mtndanensis, GRD. in Proc. Acad. Xat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 423. DESCR. — This appears to be the smallest species of its genus, the greatest length of the body and head together measuring but one inch, the head forming about the third of it, and is as long as broad. The upper surface of the head is almost flat, and, when viewed from above, ovoid in its outline. The snout is elevated, rounded, narrow, and quite prominent. The nostrils are conspicuous, and nearer the extre- mity of the snout than the anterior rim of the orbit. The space between tbe nostrils and eyes is subconcave, whilst the margin of the jaw constitutes a convex ridge. The eyes are proportionally large arid prominent, subcircular in shape, their diameter being equal to the distance between their anterior rim and the extremity of the snout. The interocular space is equal to the greatest width of the upper lid, which, itself, is smooth like the surface of the head. The tympanum is situated very close to the eye, and is less in diameter than the latter. The tongue is large, fleshy, subelliptical ; its poste- rior bifurcation being narrow and diverging. The inner nostrils are subcircular, of medium size, and situated near to the jaw-bone. The vomerine teeth are not very conspicuous ; disposed upon two nar- row, widely separated, elliptical groups or series, directed obliquely in- wards and backwards from the posterior margin of the inner nostrils. The body is elongated, subcylindrical ; the anterior limbs slender, shorter than the trunk ; the posterior ones, comparatively well de- veloped, longer than the body and head together, by the whole length of the foot. The fingers are subdepressed ; the first is but very little longer than the second and fourth ; the latter two being nearly equal. The palm of the hand exhibits ridges running in the direction of the fingers. The articulations of the latter are provided beneath with conspicuous though small knobs or tubercles, in every point similar to the swellings on the inferior surface of their extremities. The toes are webbed, very nearly to their tips, but the membrane is very deeply concave between all of them. The swellings at their extremities are larger than the tubercles under their articulations. There is but one metatarsal tubercle, situated at the base of the inner toe, from which 14 54 BATRACHIA. a horny ridge extends along the inner edge of the tarsus. The exte- rior ridge of the fifth toe is bordered by a membranous ridge, which, however, does not reach quite to its extremity. The skin above is minutely pustulous, and smooth beneath. The ground color is greenish-brown, uniform and lighter beneath. There are obsolete darker spots on the body as well as on the limbs. The margin of the upper jaw and sides of the head exhibit similar traces of maculae. Loc. — Two specimens were collected in the Caldera, on Mindanao. GENUS HALOPIIILA, GIRARD. CHAR. GEN. — Denies vomerini inter et post nares in acervos duos elon- gatos collocantur. Lingua elongata, lanceolata ; antice angusta, pos- tice bifurcata, per dimidiam ejus longitudinem libera. Tympana dls- tincto. Tubulis Eustachianis modicis. Pcdmarum digitis liberis, plantarum vero aliquantulo palmatis. Discis subdigitalibus magnitu- dine diversis. GEN. CHAR. — Vomerine teeth disposed upon two oblong groups, situ- ated between and behind the inner nostrils. Tongue elongated, lanceolated, narrow anteriorly, forked posteriorly, and free half its length. Tympanum distinct. Eustachian tubes moderate. Fingers free. Toes with rudimentary web at their base. Subdigital disks varying in development. SYX.—Halophila, GED. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 423. OBSERV. — This genus is very intimately related to Hylarana, and like the latter, combines characters of both Hyla and Rana. It has the forked tongue of Rana, and the extremities of the fingers and toes dilated as in Hyla. It is distinguishable from Hylarana by its tongue, which is free behind on a greater extent ; by its toes, which are but slightly webbed at their base, and by its digital extremities more developed, and, therefore, resembling more the same parts in Hyla. The shape of the body and head, on the other hand, resembles Rana most. BATRACHIAANOURA. 55 We consider, as belonging to this genus, Rana papua, LESS, in Voy. Coq. Zool. II, 1830, 59. PL vii, fig. 1. 1. HALOPHILA HEROS, Grd. (Plate IV, figs. 1-6.) CHAR. SPEC. — Discis subdigitaUbus parvulis. Colore subviridi fuscato, cum clariori vitta dorsuali. Abdominis lateribus cruribusque nigro maculatis. Infra fusca. SPEC. CHAR. — Subdigital disks small in both pairs of limbs. Green- ish-brown, with a dorsal light line. Sides of abdomen and limbs spotted with black. Beneath, dull-brown. S?x.—ITalophila herot, GED. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 423. OBSERV. — A preliminary glance at the figure which represents this species would leave the impression of a Cystignathus, or better, per- haps, of a Leplodaclylus. The remarkable size of the species, its much developed locoinotory organs, and the slenderness of the digits, all contribute to the aspect just alluded to. The comparatively small de- velopment of the terminal subdigital disks has also a good deal to do with its general physiognomy. DESCR. — The head forms more than the third of the length. It is as long as broad, and, seen from above, it has a subtriangular shape, the snout being but slightly truncated. Its upper surface is flattened ; the phrenic region depressed or subconcave ; the canthus rostralis almost even with the upper surface of the snout. The nostrils are comparatively small, elongated, obliquely situated towards the upper region of the snout, and close to its anterior declivity. Their distance from the anterior rim of the orbits is twice that which extends be- tween them and the margin of the upper jaw. The eyes are large, prominent, subcircular ; their diameter being equal to the distance between them and the nostrils, and which is quite considerable. The interocular space is but two-thirds of the longitudinal diameter of the eye. The tympanum is rather large and conspicuous, subcircular ; a vertical line drawn through its middle would intersect the angle of gg BATRACHIA. the mouth. Its diameter corresponds nearly to the radius of the eye. The mouth, as may be expected from the size of the head, is very large. The tongue is very much developed, spear-shaped, narrowest anteriorly. Its posterior bifurcation is very conspicuous, the organ, itself, being free posteriorly, for more than half of its entire length. The maxillary teeth are very minute. The inner nostrils are large, transversely elongated, reaching almost the branches of the maxillary. The vomerine teeth constitute two stout, elongated, or subtriangular groups, obliquely situated between and behind the inner nostrils, leaving an appreciable space between the inner edge of the latter and their anterior extremity. The openings of the Eustachian tubes are quite large, though much smaller than the inner nostrils, and either subtriangular in shape or longitudinally oblong or elliptical. The body is elongated, broader than deep, and tapering posteriorly, as in Rana and Leptodactylus. The limbs are very much developed and stoutish. The anterior ones, when brought backwards alongside the body, reach almost the coccyx with the extremity of the fingers. The palm of the hand is smooth, and provided with one, rather large, horny disk at the base of the inner finger. The fingers themselves are subdepressed, entirely free, and provided with large tubercles under their articulations. The first is longer than the second, which is shorter than the fourth. Their tips are but slightly expanded. The hind limbs are longer than the body by the whole length of the foot. The tarsus has no membranous fold or horny ridge along its inner edge. The soles of the feet are perfectly smooth ; there is but one developed metatarsal tubercle, at the base of the inner toe. Tubercles may be observed under each articulation, and the dilatations of their extremities likewise, are but little developed. The rudiment of a membrane is observed at the base of all the toes. The skin is smooth all over, except on the inferior and posterior surfaces of the thighs, which are minutely glandulous. The ground color is greenish-brown, the green predominating upon the sides and the limbs. There is a slender dorsal line extending from the head to the posterior part of the body, and a similar one along the limbs. The sides of the abdomen, head and legs, are sprinkled over with small blackish spots, surrounded with bluish-white on the abdo- men. The fingers and toes are green and yellow. Beneath, the color- ation is of a uniform dull-brown. BATRACHIAANOURA. 57 The species inhabits the Feejee Islands. Plate IV, fig. 1, represents Hdlophila heros, size of life. Fig. 2, a side view of the head. Fig. 3, an upper view of the head. Fig. 4, the head, seen from beneath. Fig. 5, under surface of the left hand. Fig. 6, under surface of the left foot. 2. HALOPHILA VITIEXSIS, Grd. (Plate IV, figs. 7-11.) CAR. SPEC. — Discls subdigtidfflnw magnis. Colore luteo. SPEC. CHAR. — Subdigital disks large in both pairs of limbs. Yellow- ish-orange. S\-x.—ffalophila vitiensis, GRD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 423. DESCR. — The head is depressed, elongated, narrowing anteriorly. Its upper surface is smooth, flattened from the occipital region to the nostrils, hence, declivous towards the margin of the jaw; its sides are sloping, and the phrenic region is depressed. The nostrils, oblong in shape, are obliquely situated near the upper part of the snout, at the culminating point of its declivity, and twice as distant from the an- terior rim of the eye than the margin of the upper jaw. The eyes are proportionally large, subelliptical in shape ; their longitudinal diameter being equal to the rhinic distance from their anterior margin to the nostrils. The interocular space is equal to the ocular diameter. The tympanum is quite conspicuous, subcircular ; its diameter being greater than the radius of the eye ; it is situated immediately above and posteriorly to the angle of the mouth, at a little distance from the orbit. The mouth, itself, is deeply cleft ; the tongue is elon- gated, subpyriform, narrowest anteriorly, and free upon its posterior half; laterally, it is but slightly so. The inner nostrils are quite large, transversly elliptical, situated towards the periphery of the pal- atine roof. The vomerine teeth are disposed upon two oblong groups, widely separated from each other and situated obliquely behind the 15 58 BATRACHIA. inner and posterior edge of the inner nostrils. The openings of the Eustachian tubes are conspicuous, large, though somewhat smaller than the inner nostrils. The body is elongated, subcylindrical, raniform. The limbs are well developed, and the dilatations at the extremities of the fingers and toes, large and conspicuous : larger upon the former than upon the latter. The anterior legs, when bent backwards alongside with the body, reach the groins, with the extremities of the fingers, and even project somewhat beyond, though not as far as the coccyx. The fingers are depressed ; provided under their articulations with rounded tubercles. A few of these, but a great deal smaller, may be seen scattered over the palm of the hand. There are no metacarpal disks or horny knobs or tubercles. The hind legs are longer than the body and head to- gether, of the whole length of the metatarsus and toes. The tarsus shows no traces of either a horny ridge or a membranous fold along its inner edge. The metatarsus exhibits two very small tubercles, one, as usual, at the base of the first toe, the other outwardly. The sole of the feet is smooth. The articulations of the toes are protected underneath with small tubercles. The toes themselves are depressed like the fingers, and united by a membrane at their base only. The skin is perfectly smooth throughout, except posteriorly and beneath the inner half of the thighs, where it is glandulous ; the pos- terior part of the belly has, likewise, a glandulous aspect. The color is of a bright uniform yellowish-orange of a duller hue beneath than above. The iris is yellow. Specimens of this species were collected in May, 1840, at Sebukea, Feejee Islands. A drawing from life was made by Mr. Jos. Dray ton. Plate IV, fig. 7, represents Halopliila vitiensis, size of life. Fig. 8, side view of the head. Fig. 9, upper view of the head. Fig. 10, under surface of the left hand. Fig. 11, under surface of the right foot. 3. HALOPHILA DORSUALIS, Grd. (Plate IV, figs. 12-16.) CAR. SPEC. — Discis suMiyitalibus modicis. Colore purpureo-mibescente. BATRACHIAANOURA 59 SPEC. CHAR. — Subdigital disks moderate in both pairs of limbs. Red- dish-purple, with a dorsal light line, and maculated with black. DESCR. — Of this species there was but one specimen collected, now in a very precarious state of preservation. In its general aspect it resembles more H. lieros than H. ritiensis, but is easily distinguished from the former by a much greater dilatation of the extremities of fingers and toes. The membrane at the base of the toes is also more developed than in H. heros. The ground color is yellowish-purple, more intense along the sides. The upper surface of the head and body exhibits a golden hue, and along the middle region of the back is a whitish, narrow vitta, extending from the snout to the posterior extremity of the body. On each side of that dorsal line are blackish maculae, largest upon the head and anterior part of the body, and smallest along the sides. The legs are barred with black. The iris is purplish. Found, with the preceding species, on the Feejee Islands. A drawing from life having been made by Mr. Drayton, its form and general appearance were thus preserved. Plate IV, fig. 12, represents Ealopldla dorsualis, size of life. Fig. 13, is a side view of the head. Fig. 14, an upper view of the head. Fig. 15, under surface of the left hand. Fig. 16, under surface of the left foot. GEXCS HYLA, LAUR. GEX. CHAR. — Vomerine teeth disposed upon two groups, situated between the inner nostrils. Tongue large, circular, or elliptical, slightly notched, and free posteriorly. Tympanum distinct. Fin- gers and toes depressed, very much dilated upon their extremities. Toes webbed, aud the fingers occasionally also. rN.— Hyla, LAUR. Synos. Kept. 1768. — LINN. Sjst. Nat. ed. X, 1768, 213. — DUM. & BIBR. Erp. gen. VIII, 1841, 542. OBSERV. — In some species the fingers as well as the toes are webbed 60 BATRACHIA, to a greater or lesser degree. In a systematic work it might be well to arrange in one group such as have the fingers entirely free, and in another group those in which they are webbed. HYLA REGILLA, B. & G. (Plate III, figs.18-18.) CAB. SPEC.' — Denies vomerini in acervos duos orl/iculatos collocantur. Palmarum digitis liberis, plantarum semipalmatis. Cute tubercu- losa superne, inferne glandulosa. Colore viridi ad luteum vergente ; maculis vel vittis fuscis corpore dispersis. SPEC. CHAR. — Vomerine teeth disposed upon two circular groups. Fingers free. Toes semipalmated. Skin above, tuberculous ; beneath, glandulous. Green, with orange reflections ; maculated or banded with blackish-brown. STN.— Ilyla regilla, B. & G. in Proe. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1852, 174; et 1853, 301. Hyla scapularis, HALLOW, in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1852, 183. OBSERV. — Amongst the numerous specimens before us, the one represented in figure 13 is the largest ; and, according to all probabili- ties, illustrates the fullest dimensions of this species. DESCR. — The head is subtriangular, nearly as long as broad ; the snout is subtruncated, slightly declivous, with a quite prominent can- thus rostralis. Its upper surface is nearly plane, or slightly subcon- cave. The space between the nostril and the eye is slightly concave also. The nostrils occupy the highest part of the snout, being much nearer its extremity than the anterior rim of the orbit. The eyes are prominent and large, circular, and elevated above the surface of the head. The tympanum is subelliptical ; its diameter is half that of the eye. The tongue is broad, subelliptical, and but slightly notched posteriorly. The maxillary teeth are very minute, and invisible to the naked eye, especially on the lower jaw. The palatine teeth form two small and circular groups situated between the inner nostrils, and as far apart from the latter as the space between them. The BATRACHIAAXOURA. (jj inner nostrils, on the other hand, are quite large, very conspicuous, and circular in shape. The Eustachian tubes being of medium size. The body is twice and a half as long as the head ; it is elongated, raniform. The anterior feet, when stretched alongside the body, scarcely reach the groins with their extremities. The fingers are per- fectly free, slender, and their terminal disks of medium size. The inner finger is the smallest ; the outermost, a little longer than the second ; the third is the longest, being about one-fourth longer than the fourth. The inferior surface of the carpus is minutely granular. Small tubercles may be observed under each digital articulation. The hind legs are long and slender; the knees touch the elbows when brought close to the body. The leg proper is somewhat longer than the thigh ; the tarsus and foot together are as long as the body, the head excluded. A membrane unites the toes to about half their length. A small, horny, spade-like tubercle exists at the base of the inner and smallest toe ; the fourth toe is the longest, and the fifth about equal to the third. The terminal disks are a little smaller than those of the fingers, though similar in structure ; there being a medial longitudinal furrow, dividing them into two halves or hemidisks. A minute granulation is also to be observed under the sole of the feet, and small tubercles under the articulations of the toes.. The skin above, is smooth; a few very small and scattered tubercles are observed on the two anterior thirds of the body and head, more crowded on the upper lid. The legs are either smooth or, likewise, provided above with small tubercles. On the inferior surface of the body, a pectoral fold extends from one shoulder to another, and in the male, there are well developed vocal pouches, perfectly smooth, whilst in the female the inferior surface of the head is minutely granular. The granulation is coarser on the anterior portion of the belly than posteriorly, and under the thighs, it is quite fine. In the adult, the ground color is deep-green, with orange or golden reflections on the sides of the head, abdomen, and legs. A deep-brown vitta extends from the nostrils to the anterior rim of the orbit, pass- ing over the eye, across the tympanum, down the abdomen to the groin; sometimes, however, an irregular series of spots is observed along the abdomen. Transverse series of dots' are seen on the limbs, and longitudinal series along their outer edge, extending also to the toes. Sometimes, and perhaps only in the male, may be observed two dorsal longitudinal brown vittae, one on each side of the back, extend- 16 g2 BATRACHIA. ing from the occiput to near the termination of the body, and upon the head, from one eye to the other, a V-shaped patch, the summit of which is directed posteriorly. The inferior surface is of a uniform dull- yellow. In the young, the ground color is light-green, with a few black spots on the sides of the abdomen, exhibiting also the facial vitta, though less distinctly. Inferiorly it is of a soiled white. Specimens were collected on Puget's Sound ; the colored drawings were made from life by Mr. Drayton. Plate III, fig. 13, represents Hijla rerjilla, size of life. Fig. 14, is a side view of the head. Fig. 15, an under view of the same. Fig. 16, under surface of the right hand. Fig. 17, under surface of the right foot. Fig. 18, represents the same species in an immature state of growth 2. HYLA CYANEA, Schleg. Svx.—Hyla cyanea, SCHLEG. Abbild. Amph. 1837-44, 26. PI. ix, fig. 2. OBSERV. — The only specimen of this species brought home from Australia, by the Exploring Expedition, is a dried skin, so much deformed in its prepared state, that we were unable to draw up any accurate description. The synonyms of this species, as quoted by Messrs. Dumeril and Bibron (Erp. gen. VIII, 1841, 577), are all referable, except Schlegel's, to Ranoidea aurea (Hyla jacksonie.nsis, DUM. & B.). But Schlegel is not the originator of either the species or the specific name. He took the name from Fitzinger, who borrowed it from Daudin, and applied it to a distinct and well marked species ; whilst Daudin's Hyla cyanea is nothing else but his Rana coenilea, which is identical with Ranoidea aurea. GENUS HYLODES, FITZ. CHAR. — Vomerine teeth disposed upon two elongated series, situated behind the inner nostrils. Tongue elliptical, posteriorly BATRACHIAANOURA. 63 entire, and free upon the half of its length. Tympanum distinct. Fingers and toes free, eubdepressed, provided, upon their extremi- ties, with small disks. Abdomen smooth. SYN.— Hylodes, FITZ. N. Class. Kept. 1826, 64.— DUM. & BIBR. Erp. gen. VIII, 1841, 619. HYLODES PARVTJS, Grd. (Plate III, figs. 24-28.) CAR. SPEC. — Dentibus vomerinis in figuram V, ad verticem leviter inter- ruptam, dixpositi-s. Lingua crassa et cordiformi. Palmarum etplan~ tarum digitis tenuibus. Colore ubiquefiisco. SPEC. CHAR. — Vomerine teeth disposed upon a V-shaped figure, slightly interrupted at the summit. Tongue thickish and cordiform. Fin- gers and toes slender. Uniform dark-brown. SYX.—ffim digitis palmatis. Supra vlridi, BATRACHIAANOURA. 75 cum vitta flavea dorsuali ; pu$tulis rubescentibus. Infra albo sordido, itlgro maculato. SPEC. CHAR. — Upper surface of head, plane; skin not adhering to the skull and smooth. Parotids moderate. Tympanum small. A mem- branous, tarsal fold. Toes palmated. Green, with a dorsal, yellow vitta; pustules reddish. Beneath, of a soiled white, maculated with black. SYN.— Bufo loreas, B. & G. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1852, 174.— GBD. in Proc. Acad. Xat. Sci. Philad. VII, 1854, 87. DESCR. — With a total length of two inches and three-tenths, we find that the head does not measure quite the third. The latter is very much depressed, flattened or plane above, showing neither ridges nor grooves, save a very shallow depression upon the middle of the snout. It is rounded and very declivous from the nostrils to the margin of the upper jaw, forwards and sideways. The interocular space, measured across the middle of the eyes, is equal to the width of the upper lid. The canthus rostralis is very slightly swollen; the nostrils are a little nearer the eye than the notch of the upper jaw. The horizontal diameter of the eye is equal to the distance between the anterior mar- gin of the latter and the extremity of the upper jaw ; the upper eye- lid is warty; the warts, generally small, are sometimes more developed upon its internal periphery. Its external periphery' is corneous and sharp. The tympanum is small, sometimes subcircular, at others sub- elliptical; its diameter is less than half that of the eye. The parotids are moderate in size, and subreniform in shape, situated horizon- tally above the shoulders, anteriorly close to the orbit, and contiguous exteriorly to the tympanum. Their surface is smooth anteriorly, whilst posteriorly it exhibits small warts or tubercles. The pores are small and numerous. The mouth is large and the upper jaw emarginated. The tongue is rather narrow and elongated, ovoid in its outline, and free upon the posterior third of its length. The inner nostrils are distant, situated close to the jaw, subtransverse and oblong in shape. The openings of the Eustachian tubes are much smaller than the inner nostrils. The limbs are well developed, although of a slender appearance. The fingers are depressed and tapering to a point ; the first is longer 76 B A T R A C H I A. than the second, which is the shortest. The articulations of the pha- langes are provided beneath with tubercles of moderate development. Their inferior surface is otherwise smooth, except a few scattered granules, which may be observed on the palm of the hand. The central metacarpal disk is large and subcircular. The inner one, occupying the base of the first finger, is very conspicuous and propor- tionally more developed than in any other North American species of the genus. The hind limbs are longer than the body and head together, of the whole length of the foot. The toes, themselves, are subdepressed, tapering, and webbed to their very tip, the membrane being but slightly emarginated. The tubercles under the articulations of the phalanges are but a little larger than the granules, which are spread over the sole of the feet. The inner metatarsal process is subconical and well developed ; the outer one is quite depressed upon a broad base. The metatarsus beneath is granular, and its inner lower edge provided with a conspicuous membranous fold. The skin above is covered with large pustules or small perforated glands, secreting a viscous fluid, analogous to that secreted by the parotids. On the anterior region of the body there is a tendency of these glands to arrange themselves upon a double series, one on each side of the dorsal line, slightly converging towards the occiput, hence diverging towards the upper eyelid, where they unite with the series above alluded to, as occupying the inner border of that organ. The intervening space between the pustules is warty, verrucose, or subtu- berculous. Underneath, the warts are very crowded and large. The anterior limbs are smooth above, warty anteriorly and beneath. The posterior ones have the same appearance as the upper surface of the body. The upper part of the foot and the anterior part of the tarsus and tibia are smooth. The snout, the sides of the head, and interocular space are perfectly smooth. The ground color is of an intense green, with a yellow dorsal vitta, extending from the interocular space to the posterior extremity of the body. A yellow tint, sometimes intermingled with a reddish hue, predominates over the limbs, especially the hind ones. The parotids, the pustules, and the glandulse, are reddish. The inferior surface of the bedy is of a soiled white, maculated with black ; under the head and thighs, unicolor, dull-yellowish. The interdigital membrane being purplish. BATRACHIAANOURA. 77 Specimens of this species were collected up Puget Sound, Oregon, in May, 1841. A sketch from life was made at the same epoch. Plate VI, fig. 4, represents Bufo boreas, size of life. Fig. 5, is a side view of the head. Fig. 6, an upper view of the head. Fig. 7, the head, seen from beneath. Fig. 8, the under surface of the right hand. Fig. 9, the under surface of the left foot. 2. BUFO COLUMBIENSIS, B. & G. (Plate V, figs. 4-9.) CAR. SPEC. — Capitis facie superiore plana. Cute calvae adhaerente et granulata. GlanditKa parotid/is parvis. Tympano parvo. Plicatura membranea in tarso. Plantarum diyitis pal mails. Supra virides- cente, cum maculis niyris et punctis rubescentibus. Yitta alba dorsuali. Sub oculo macula obUqua. Infra flavo sordido, maculato. SPEC. CHAR. — Upper surface of head plane. Skin adhering to the skull and granulated. Parotids small. Tympanum small also. A membranous tarsal fold. Toes palmated. Light-greenish, with black blotches and reddish spots. A dorsal, white vitta. An oblique, dark patch beneath the eye. Inferiorly, of a soiled yellow, maculated. SYN.— Bufo columbiemis, B. & G. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 378. — GRD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VII, 1854, 87. OBSERV. — The characters by which this species can be distinguished from B. boreas. consist in the comparative length of the forearm, arm, and hand, which are almost equal in length in B. columbiemis, whilst in B. boreas, the forearm is longer than either the arm and the hand ; both pairs of limbs are longer too, and, in the posterior pair, the foot is the region which is the most developed. The membrane which unites the toes is more deeply emarginated in B. columbiensls than in B. boreas; the inferior surface of the hands and feet is conspicuously granulated in the former, and nearly smooth in the latter. In B. columbiensis the 20 78 BATRACHIA. skin upon the head is rather thick, granular, and adhering to the skull, whilst in B. boreas it is thin, loose, and smooth. The parotid glands are smaller in the species which we now describe. DESCR. — The entire length of the specimen figured, the only one apparently full-grown amongst those collected, is a little more than three inches and a half, the head constituting nearly the fourth of that length. Viewed from above, the head is subtriangular, broader than long, the snout being almost abruptly truncated, another feature which will distinguish this species from B. boreas. Its upper surface is slightly depressed, without any ridges or groove, but densely covered with small tubercles. The interocular space, measured across the middle of the eyes, is greater than the greatest width of the upper lid, whilst it is equal to it in B. boreas. The canthus rostralis is slightly swollen ; the nostrils, situated immediately beneath its anterior extre- mity, are much nearer to the orbit than to the notch of the upper jaw. The upper eyelid is tuberculous. The tympanum is quite small and subcircular. The parotids, rather small, elongated, narrowest ante- riorly, are situated horizontally over the shoulders ; they approximate anteriorly the eye and externally the tympanum ; they are perforated with comparatively few, but large pores. The upper jaw is emargi- nated ; the tongue large and elongated ; the inner nostrils transversely oblong and small, and the openings of the Eustachian tubes much smaller still. The limbs are very long and of slender appearance. The fingers are stout, subdepressed ; the tubercle under their first articulation is the only one well developed. The palm of the hand and under surface of the fingers are rugose and tuberculous. The central metacarpal disk is large, rounded, and depressed ; the inner one being much the smallest, scarcely larger than the subarticulary tubercle of the inner finger. The first, second, and fourth fingers are almost equal in length ; the third is, as usual, the longest. The hind limbs are somewhat longer than the body and head together ; they are, as already alluded to, shorter than in B. boreas. The toes are depressed, and the membrane, although extending to their tips, is nevertheless more deeply emargi- nated than in B. boreas. Tubercles may be seen under each articu- lation of the phalanges, although none are conspicuous. The soles of the feet is densely covered with small granules. The metatarsus, beneath, is also provided with small granules, and its inner and lower BATRACHIAANOURA. 79 edge with a membranous fold, less developed, however, than in B- boreas. The process at the base of the inner toe is very prominent and subconical. The second or outermost is less elevated. The skin above, is provided with small glands or pustules, similar in structure to the parotids, being perforated with small pores. These glandulse, however, are smaller than in B. boreas ; the largest are observed upon the hind limbs. In B. columbiemis, these small glands are irregularly scattered all over the surface of the body. The inter- mediate space is covered with small warts and granules. The upper part of the fore limbs and hands, the inferior surface of the thighs, the tarsus all around, and the feet above, are covered with a minute granu- lation. Beneath, the skin is warty, the warts being more apparent under the belly than under the legs, chest, and head. The ground color is light-greenish ; a dorsal, white vitta extends from the occiput to the posterior extremity of the body. Large, irregular patches of brownish-black are observed over the upper region of the body and limbs, confluent on each side of the dorsal vitta, and also upon the flanks, assuming the shape of transverse bars on the legs, where they are larger than elsewhere. The papillae, the parotids, the warts, the granules, and tubercles are reddish. The upper surface of the head is yellowish-brown, and its sides green. Tympanum blackish, with spots all around it. The margin of the jaws is whitish. An oblique, elongated, black patch may be seen under the anterior part of the eye, extending from the margin of the upper jaw, obliquely upwards and forwards. A small black spot covers the nostrils, and another may be observed under it, upon the middle of the snout, whilst a third one is seen occupying the margin of the upper jaw, between the latter two. The iris is reddish-orange. The inferior surface is dull-yellowish or whitish, maculated with blackish under the chest, sides of belly, and under the limbs. In very small and immature specimens many of the characters ascribed to this species are already conspicuous. The web of the toes appears to be still less developed than in B. boreas. Specimens were collected on Columbia River, Oregon. Drawn from life. Plate V, fig. 4, represents B. columbiensis, size of life. Fig. 5, is a side view of the head. C ' g0 B A T R A C H I A. Fig. 6, an upper view of the head. Fig. 7, the head, seen from beneath. Fig. 8, under surface of the right hand. Fig. 9, under surface of the right foot. 3. BUFO MARINUS, Schn. (Plate V, figs. 1-3, and Plate VI, figs. 1-3.) SPEC. CHAR. — Upper surface of head depressed in the middle, and pro- vided with ridges. Skin adhering to the skull. Parotids varying in size. Tympanum moderate. A tarsal, horny ridge. Toes semi- palmated. Color variable. SYN. — Rana marina americana, SEBA, .... I, .... 120, Tab. LXXVI, fig. 1. Rana marina, LINN. Syst. Nat. edit. X, I, 1758, 210, et ed. XII, I, 1766, 356.— GMEL. Linn. Syst. Nat. I, iii, 1788, 1049.— LAUR. Synops. Kept. 1768, 31. JBufo agua, LATE. Hist. nat. Kept. II, 1801, 13, fig. 1.— BAUD. Hist. nat. Kept. VIII, 1803, 209 ; et Hist. nat. Rain. Gren. Crap. 1803, 99, PL xxxvu.— Cuv. Regn. anim. II, 1817, 97, et 2de edit. 1829, 111.— Snx, Spec. Nov. Test. Ran. Bras. 1824, 44, Tab. xv.— WIED, Reise nach Bras. I, 1820, 52, & II, 1821, 241, et Rec. PI. Col. Anim. Bres.; & Beitr. Naturg. Bras. I, 1825, 551. — TSCH. Mem. Soc. Sci. nat. Neucb. II, 1838, 88.— DUM. & BIBR. Erp. gen. VIII, 1841, 703. Bufo horridus, DAUD. Hist. nat. Rept. VIII, 1803, 201 ; et Hist. nat. Rain. Gren. & Crap. 1803, 97, PI. xxxvi. Bufo humeralis, BAUD. Hist. nat. Rept. VIII, 1803, 205. Bufo maculiventris, SPIX, Spec. Nov. Test. Ran. Bras. 1824, 43, Tab. xiv, fig. 1. B. lazarus, SPIX, Spec. Nov. Test. Ran. Bras. 1824, 45, Tab. xvii, fig. 1. B. stcllatus, SPIX, Spec. Nov. Test. Ran. Bras. 1824, 46, Tab. xvm, fig. 1. B. sealer, SPIX, Spec. Nov. Test. Ran. Bras. 1824, 47, Tab. xx, fig. 1. B. albicans, SPIX, Spec. Nov. Test. Ran. Bras. 1824, 47, Tab. xvm, fig. 2. B. icterus, SPIX, Spec. Nov. Test. Ran. Bras. 1824, 44, Tab. xvi, fig. 1. — GRAVENH. Delic. Mus. Zool. Vratisl. I, 1829, 54. B. ornatus, SPIX, Spec. Nov. Test. Ran. Bras. 1824, 45, Tab. xvi, fig. 2. — GRAVENH. Delic. Mus. Zool. Vratisl. I, 1829, 61. B. marinus, SCHN. Hist. Amph. I, 1799, 219. — MERR. Tent. Syst. Ampb. 1820, 182.— GRAVENH. Delic. Mus. Zool. Vratisl. I, 1829, 54. Bombinator horridus, MERR. Tent. Syst. Amph. 1820, 179. Lepaule armee, DAUB. Diet. anim. vertebr. 1790, 624. — LACEP. Hist, quadr. ovip. I, 1789, 539. La grenouille epaule armee, BONNAT. Ency. meth. Erpet. 1789, 6, PL in, No. 2. Marine toad, SHAW, Gen. Zool. Ill, i, 1802, 155, PI. XLIV. BATRACHIAANOURA. gl OBSERV.- — There is perhaps no species of the bufonine group which has been described under the same variety of specific names as the present one. Besides the unusual variations observable upon individuals of nearly the same size and age, differences occur between individuals at different ages of growth. The most striking of these differences consist in the variation in the shape of the parotid glands : rhomboi- dal, sometimes nearly as wide as long, at other times more than twice as long as broad, and tapering posteriorly into a somewhat acute angle. They may further assume an elliptical shape, from twice or three times as long as broad. These bodies, in the three desiccated specimens brought home by the Expedition, exhibit a subelliptical shape, the length of which is a little more than twice their width. Other dif- ferences, comparatively superficial, are observed in the coloration, of which we speak below, having a few more remarks to make with regard to structure. ^-i DESCR. — To whatever extent the variations just alluded to may go, it will always be easy to recognize the marine toad (B. marinus or agua}, by the structure of the upper surface of its head, upon the middle of which a broad depression, tapering forwards and widening behind, may be seen. It is limited anteriorly and laterally by a con- spicuous ridge, constituting an acute angle, extending from the tip of the snout to the eyes. The ridge thence extends over the eyes, slightly diverging from the medial line of the cranium, and passing behind the orbit, to meet a subcrescentic and transversal ridge, situated above the tympanum. In advance of the eye, and extending vertically over the line of the canthus rostralis, a similar swollen ridge exists, being con- nected above with the supra-orbital one. Thus, the eyes are surrounded superiorly, anteriorly, and posteriorly with an elevated ridge. The cephalic groove, posteriorly, is even with the surface of the body. Occasionally, a swelling may be observed, extending from the poste- rior curve of the lateral ridge obliquely towards the occiput, the sur- face of which is striated or furrowed. The snout is almost perpendi- cular in front; the nostrils are situated immediately beneath the ridge. The eyes are large, almost circular. The tympanum, though conspi- cuous, is comparatively of moderate size, ovoid, or subcrescentic, oblique. The parotid glands, anteriorly contiguous to the supra-tym- panic ridge, extend over the shoulders, a little obliquely downwards. 21 g2 BATRACHIA. Their thickness gives quite a broad appearance to that part of the body ; the pores are not numerous and far apart. The body is subelliptical, longer than broad. The limbs are well developed. The first finger is longer than the second, which is the smallest ; the third is the largest ; the fourth resembles the first. The dried state of the specimens did not allow a further study of the toes. All over the upper part of the body and limbs are scattered glandu- lous tubercles of various sizes. Generally a double series, larger than the rest, are observed on the dorsal region. On the sides of the abdo- men they are also more conspicuous. These tubercles are either smooth or provided with small spines, which, in the latter case, give the animal a somewhat rougher appearance. Beneath, the skin is always smooth, though wrinkled or folded in an irregular mesh work. The ground color of the largest specimen is yellowish-white, mottled with black or brownish-black. Two elongated patches of black extend from the head to the posterior extremity of the body, along the back, leaving free a dorsal medial area of the ground color. The upper surface of the limbs is mottled. The upper surface of the head, the ridges, and the margin of the jaw, are brownish-black. The parotids exhibit a bluish reflection over the general tint. Beneath, the color is dull yellowish-white. Another variety of coloration exhibits a brownish-green ground, with dark spots over the body, each of which spots as well as the interme- diate spaces, being filled with smaller spots. The eyes and tympanum are emerald-green. The specimens exhibiting this variation of color have the skin studded with small asperities, whilst in the former it is quite smooth. Procured at Rio de Janeiro, December, 1838, near the coast, and sketched from life. Plate V, fig. 1, represents Bufo marinus, size of life. Fig. 2, is the under surface of the left hand. Fig. 3, the under surface of the right foot. Plate VI, fig. 1, represents another variety of the same species. Fig. 2, being the right hand, seen from beneath. Fig. 3, the under surface of the right foot. BATRACHIAANOURA. gg 4. BITO GRACILIS, Grd. (Plate VI, figs. 16-21.) CAR. SPEC. — Ckipitis facie suj» rinre corvxi' Glandulls parotidis exiijiii-y. Ti/inpniti) iH'Kjito. PUcatura m>'iitbniitea in tarso. Plan* tnt>:, cum viffa j/'trm Jorsuali ; dorso et crurilm lii<- l/lic maculatis. Infra luteo. SPEC. CHAR. — Upper surface of head concave. Parotids exiguous. Tympanum large. A membranous, tarsal fold. Toes subpalmated. Skin granular, yellowish-brown above; a dorsal, yellow vitta; back and limbs irregularly spotted. Beneath dull-yellow. ^•s.—Bufoyracilis, GRD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1S53, 424. OBSERV. — The physiognomy of this species partakes more of the ranine group than the following one, having a more elongated body and a proportionally smaller head. The limbs, however, appear as if cast in the same mould, being slender and elongated, and the toes but slightly palmated. The parotids, likewise, are small, but more exiguous, and the tympanum greater. The lateral glandulous stripe is a feature which B. luyubrosu* does not possess. In regard to the head, it is the same sharp snout, and terminal situation of the nostrils; the same depression and ridges of the skull, and the body similarly warty, though the warts are proportionally smaller. This particu- larity of being provided with warts is common to many species of toads, and does, therefore, not constitute a specific trait. DESCR. — The head forms about the two-sevenths of the entire length ; it is nearly as long as broad, and seen from above, it is tri- angular ; slightly truncated upon the snout, which is rather promi- nent, and obliquely inclining inwards, the upper part overhanging the lower. The nostrils are obliquely situated towards its extremity, beneath the canthus rostralis, which is but slightly apparent. The upper surface of the snout, from the eyes to its tip, is perfectly even, sloping forwards; the sides of the same are almost abrupt. The ftfmBRSITT] 84 BATRACHIA. interocular and postocular regions are broadly concave. The eyes are proportionally large and circular ; their anterior rim is protected by a small ridge : a downwards continuation of the can thus rostralis. There is also a postocular ridge : a downwards continuation of the supra-orbital or supra-tympanic ridge. Their diameter is much greater than the distance between their anterior rim and the extremity of the snout. The upper lid is covered with small warts and granules. The tym- panum is regularly elliptical, oblique, rather large, very distinct, but smaller than the eyes. The parotids constitute an elongated swell- ing, contiguous anteriorly to the supra-tympanic ridge, and posteriorly to a glandulous, abdominal, cutaneous fold, of which we shall say a few words further on. The mouth is large ; the upper jaw ernargi- nated ; the tongue elongated, club-shaped, laterally and posteriorly free, anteriorly slightly bifurcated. The inner nostrils are very large and subcircular ; the openings of the Eustachian tubes being rather small and inconspicuous. The limbs, fingers, and toes, are still more slender than in the follow- ing species ; the first finger is longer than the second, and but a little shorter than the third; the fourth is the shortest, and the most exiguous. The palm of the hand is granular, and the articulations of the fingers are provided beneath with small tubercles. There is a quite large, subcircular, metacarpal disk, and a small tubercle at the base of the first finger, but not conspicuous. The toes are but slightly webbed and subdepressed like the fingers. The sole of the feet is densely granular, and the tubercles under the articulations of the toes are small and conical. An elongated tubercle may be seen at the base of the inner toe, and two metatarsal ones, smaller and less conspi- cuous. The tarsus is provided internally with a membranous fold. The skin on the head and dorsal region, properly so called, is minutely granular ; on the sides of the abdomen the granulation is larger and more dense, intermingled with small papula3'Or pustules. A cutaneous ridge may be traced from the parotids to the groins. The legs, themselves, down to the fingers and toes, are densely covered with granules, still more apparent than on the sides of the abdomen, but the pustules do not extend beyond the elbows and knees. The lower surface of the head, that of the body and legs, is densely studded with small granules, a little more conspicuously posteriorly than anteriorly. BATRACHIAANOURA. 85 The upper part of the head, back, and limbs is yellowish-brown ; the limbs are somewhat darker, blotched with blackish. There is a narrow, yellow vitta extending from the occiput to the posterior part of the body. On each side of this vitta, and contiguous to it, we observe angular, black patches, some of which are quite large, others small, extending from the occiput to the posterior third of the back. The iris is golden-yello\v ; the tympanum deep-chestnut, and the surrounding space black. The parotids and the glandulous, lateral ridge, are yellowish. The sides of the abdomen are light-yellow, with blackish-brown mottlings immediately beneath the glandulous ridge. This species has a general resemblance to B. ornatus, of Spix, also • from Rio de Janeiro, but on comparison will appear sufficiently dis- tinct from the latter. One specimen was obtained at Rio de Janeiro, in December, 1838, and a drawing made from life by Mr. Drayton. Plate VI, fig. 16, represents Bufo gracilis, size of life. Fig. 17, is a side view of the head. Fig. 18, an upper view of the head. Fig. 19, is the head seen from beneath. Fig. 20, under surface of the right hand. Fig. 21, under surface of the left foot. 5. BUFO LUGUBROSUS, Grd. (Plate VI, figs. 10-15.) CAR. SPEC. — Capitis facie superiore sulcata. Glandulis parotidis mod ids. Tympaito parvo. PUcatura membranea in tarso. Plan- tarum dioris posteriore. Cruce flavea in summo capite ; macula Jiava in bracJiio prope axillam. Infra fusco-niyre* scente, cum maculis Jfaveia, Diyitorum extremitatilus flavis. SPEC. CHAR. — Deep-brown above, dotted with yellow. A dorsal, yellow vitta on the posterior half of the body. A yellow cross on the top of the head ; a yellow spot upon the forearm near the axilla. Beneath, blackish-brown, with yellowish maculae. Tips of fingers and toes yellow. SYX. — Bufonetta end/era, GRD. in Proc. Acad. Xat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 424. DESCR. — The head forms a little less than the third of the entire length, the limbs excluded. Viewed from above, it is regularly ovoid, the snout being rounded and declivous anteriorly and sideways. It is depressed, a little broader than long, and concave upon its upper sur- face, between and posteriorly to the eyes. In advance of the eyes it is flattened, seems gradually rising to the nostrils, while the declivity of the snout towards the margin of the jaw is quite conspicuous. The nostrils are small and pyriform, situated towards the upper surface, near the declivity of the snout and somewhat nearer the margin of the upper jaw than the anterior rim of the eyes. The latter are of medium size, subelliptical in shape, their diameter being equal to the distance between them and the extremity of the snout. The upper lid is quite developed, externally horny and thin, projecting consider- ably in the middle. The interocular space is equal to the longitu^ dinal diameter of the eye. The tympanum is proportionally large, assuming an irregular subtriangular shape. It is situated close to the eye and immediately above the angle of the mouth. Though quite distinct it is not conspicuous, owing to the looseness of the skin. Tbe mouth is moderately cleft. The tongue is elongated, club-shaped, broadest posteriorly, slightly emarginated, and free for about one-third of its length. The inner nostrils are small and circular, situated quite anteriorly towards the margin of the roof of the palate. The open- ings of the Eustachian tubes are smaller than the inner nostrils. 9Q BATE A CHI A. The body is elongated, subcylindrical, a little broader than deep, and preserving well its dimensions posteriorly. The legs are slender and long ; the anterior ones, when brought backwards alongside with the body, extend as far as the groins. The fingers are subcylindrical and tapering, with a rounded tip ; the first being shorter than the second, which is equal to the fourth. The articulations are provided beneath with rounded tubercles. The palm of the hand is subtuber- culous. At the base of the metacarpus may be seen two conspicuous horny disks, the innermost being the largest. The posterior legs are scarcely longer than the body and head together ; the inner margin of the tarsus has neither a membranous fold nor any horny ridge. The metatarsal tubercles are quite small, the outer one hardly perceptible. The toes are subcylindrical, tapering, terminated by a rounded knob, and provided with tubercles under their articulations. The sole of the feet is smooth. The skin is subtuberculous on the back, and glandulous under the thighs and posterior part of the belly. The ground color is deep-brown above, with a yellow, dorsal vitta on the posterior half of the body only. A yellow bar extends from eye to eye across the upper surface of the head, while another bar, at right angles with the former, runs along the middle of the snout to its extremity. A yellow spot may be observed upon the posterior surface of the anterior portion of the forearm, near the axilla. The inferior surface is blackish-brown with yellowish maculse. The tips of the fingers and toes are yellow. Specimens were collected in Australia. GENUS METAEUS, GIRARD. CAR. GEN. — Tympana celato. Parotid is glandulis nullis. Lingua subdliptica, postice integra, per dimidium longitudinis libera. Pal- marum plantarumque digit-is subcylindricis, non palmatis. Duobus tuberculis in metatarso. Gate puslulosa. GEN. CHAR. — Tympanum hidden. No parotid glands. Tongue subelliptical, posteriorly entire, and free upon the half of its length. BATRACHIAANOURA. 97 Fingers and toes subcylindrical, not palmated. Two metatarsal tubercles. Skin pustulous. SfN.—Metacus, GRD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 424. OBSERV. — The absence of parotid glands is a trait which this genus has in common with Bufonella, differing from the latter chiefly by the visibility of the tympanum. The fact of the tongue being entire upon its posterior margin, whilst it is emarginated in Bufonella, goes still further towards establishing its claims as a genus. METAEUS TIMIDUS, Grd. CAR. SPEC. — Capiie magno, antice rotundo. Cute parvls pustulis munita. Colore fusco-viridescente, nifjris maculis consperso. Yiita a rostro, trans oculum, ad annum pot-recta. SPEC. CHAR. — Head large and rounded anteriorly. Skin beset with small pustules ; greenish-brown above, maculated with black. A vitta extending from the snout, across the eye, to the shoulder. SYN. — Metaeus timidus, GRD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1853, 424. OBSERY. — This, the only species so far known of its genus, is quite diminutive iu size ; the greatest length of its body and head together not measuring more than an inch. DESCR.— The head forms the third of that length ; it is depressed, almost flat upon its upper surface, and rounded upon the snout. It is a little longer than broad, and, when viewed from above, has an ovoid appearance. The body, itself, is elongated, narrowest posteriorly, the general aspect being more ranine than bufonine. The legs are proportionally small, though quite as much developed as in many ranoids. The entire absence of both palatine and maxillary teeth entitles it to a place amongst bufonoids. The inner nostrils are very large, oblong-shaped, in the longitudinal direction of the head. The openings of the Eustachian tubes are exceedingly minute. The tongue is of medium size, subcircular, or subelliptical, entire posteriorly, and 25 98 BATRACHIA. free upon the half of its length. The eyes are of medium size, ellip- tical in form, their longitudinal diameter being equal to the distance between their anterior rim and the extremity of the snout. The inter- ocular space is broader than the eyelid. The nostrils are elevated, situated at the upper, terminal end of the snout, though equidistant between the eyes and the margin of the upper jaw. There are no parotid glands. The tympanum is entirely hidden under the skin. The forelegs are almost exiguous, and, though short, reach the groins when brought backwards alongside with the body. The fingers are subcylindrical ; the first one longer than the second, which is nearly equal to the fourth ; the third being the longest. The arti- culations are all provided beneath with conspicuously developed tubercles, and the tip of the fingers slightly swollen beneath, into a tuberculous-like knob. Smaller tubercles may be seen on the palm of the hand, arranged in series in the direction of the fingers, each series composed of at least two tubercles. There is a comparatively large, horny, metacarpal disk, and a horny knob at the base of the first finger. The hind legs are slender but not very long ; measured from their origin to the base of the fifth toe, they equal in length the head and body together. The toes exhibit the same structure as the fingers ; there are but a few small granules on the sole of the feet, situated towards the base of the toes. The inner metatarsal tubercle is elongated ; the outer one is rounded. The inner edge of the tarsus exhibits a very inconspicuous horny ridge. The skin is smooth, although provided above with small pustules, spread over the head, body, and legs, though fewer on the latter. The ground color above, is greenish-brown. A deep chestnut-brown vitta starts from the margin of the upper jaw, ascends the snout towards the nostrils, thence along the line of the canthus rostralis to the eye, and passing over the latter, extends obliquely down to near the insertion of the anterior limbs. A transverse brown patch is observed upon the occiput, between the eyes. A larger patch of the same color is seen on the anterior portion of the* trunk, and another still smaller, upon its posterior portion. These three patches are united together by means of diverging, narrow branches, giving the back a stellated appearance. Transverse narrow bars of brownish- black are observed upon the legs, more conspicuously on the poste- rior than on the anterior ones, where two such bars only are seen. The hands and feet above are maculated. Underneath, the color is B A T R A C H I A A X 0 U R A. 99 dull-yellow, under the head and abdomen, with a few small black spots on the latter region. The legs being reddish, with indistinct yellowish dots. Found at Valparaiso, Chile. GENUS BRACHYCEPHALUS, FITZ. GEX. CHAR. — Head and back protected by osseous shields. Tym- panum hidden. No parotid glands. Tongue elongated, entire posteriori}7, and free for about half its length. Fourth finger, first and fifth toes rudimentary. No metatarsal tubercles. s, FITZ. N. Class. Kept. 1826, 39.— BUM. & BIBR. Erp. g6n. VIII, 1S41, 7-20. Ephtppipher, COCT. in Guer. Mag. de Zool. 1835, Glass. Ill, PI. vn & vui. OBSERV. — The small batrachian, which is the type of this genus, was first described about thirty years ago, when it was referred to the genus Bufo, by Spix. In 1826, Fitzinger proposed for it the genus Brachycephalw, since adopted by all herpetologists, although Cocteau, in 1835, expressed the wish that the latter name should be replaced by that of Ephippipher, on the ground that its etymology is the same as Bf.-cicep*, another genus of batrachians. There are many instances of the same kind in the zoological nomenclature. To introduce changes similar to the one just mentioned, would be productive of serious mis- haps and drawbacks to real scientific progress. Cocteau's paper on these batrachians may be considered a good monograph of the genus, and must be consulted by whoever shall undertake writing upon the subject. There is one error in it : the supposition that teeth exist upon the upper jaw and palate. It is now well established that neither maxillary nor palatine teeth are found in the genus Brachycephalus, Cocteau having been led into the above error by the desiccated state of the specimens at his command, and which were procured at Rio de Janeiro. The question now is, whether B. aumntiacus is identical with Bufo ephippittm of Spix. Cocteau is inclined to think that they are dif- ferent species, upon the ground that the former is of a uniform orange 100 BATRACHIA. color, whilst the latter has the upper region of the head and the dorsal shield black. Should, however, no other differences be detected, one might well object to look upon the coloration alone as constituting a valid distinction between two species. The original of B. epldp- pium has never been compared with the specimens described by the French herpetologists who have written upon the subject since Spix. The brevity of the descriptions of both Spix and Wagler do not afford sufficient means of comparison between species. Such being the state of things, we have preferred to record the specimens collected by the United States Exploring Expedition, under the name of B. aurantlacus, the specific name of Cocteau, satisfied that the further investigation of the question will be better subserved in keeping apart what cannot be satisfactorily united. BRACHYCEPHALTJS AURANTIACUS, Grd. (Plate V, figs. 20-24.) SPEC. CHAR. — Tongue long and narrow. Sides of abdomen and origin of the thighs beneath, glandulous. Color, uniform orange. SYN. — Ephippiplier aurantiacus, COOT, in Guerin, Mag. de Zool. 1835, Cl. Ill, Plate vn. DESCR. — The general appearance of this species is that of a diminu- tive toad. The head is flattened above and below, wedge-shaped, a little broader than long, and forming about the third of the length of the animal. The snout is rounded upon its extremity. The nostrils are proportionally large, oblong, obliquely situated sideways, nearer the extremity of the snout than the anterior rim of the eyes. The latter are proportionally large, subcircular, occupying the whole space between the maxillary and the upper surface of the head. Their diameter is greater than the distance between their anterior rim and the extremity of the snout. The interocular space is greater also than their diameter, hence, proportionally quite large. The tympanum is hidden under the skin. The mouth is of medium size, although its angles do not extend as far back as the posterior rim of the eyes. The upper jaw and palate are toothless. The inner nostrils are circular ; situated close to the maxillary and the anterior part of the roof of the mouth. The open- ings of the Eustachian tubes are quite small. The tongue is elon- RATRACHIA ANOURA. 1Q1 gated and narrow, posteriorly rounded, and free for almost the half of its length. There are no parotid glands. The body is broader than deep, subovoid in shape, when viewed from above. The limbs are very slender, and the fingers tapering. The anterior legs, when stretched alongside the trunk, do not reach the posterior extremity of the body, although they extend beyond the groins. The fourth finger is indicated exteriorly by a small knob; the first by a minute point. The second is better developed, half the length of the third, which is depressed, and the most conspicuous of all. No membrane uniting the fingers. The palm of the hand is smooth, and upon its base may be seen a rudimentary, metacarpal tubercle. The hind legs are a little longer than the body and head together. The first and fifth toes are rudimentary, like the fourth finger ; the second toe is half the length of the third, and the latter is half the length of the fourth, which is conspicuously the longest ; the third and fourth are subtuberculous under their articulations. The sole of the feet is smooth ; there are no metatarsal tubercles, not even in a rudimentary state. The upper surface of the head is covered by an osseous shield, leav- ing the extremity of the snout naked. An osseous, rounded protu- berance may be seen at the place occupied by the parotids, when the latter exist, and contiguous to the cephalic shield. Across the ante- rior part of the back is a large saddle-like shield, of the same osseous nature, in advance of which, on the middle line of the body, is a small subcordiform plate. Sometimes two or three of these small plates are seen in a longitudinal series. There are other instances of fragmentary pieces posteriorly to the saddle-like piece, but evidently detached from the latter, which, itself, is subjected to some variations of outline. The remaining portion of the back not occupied by the shields is covered by a smooth skin, exhibiting occasionally some small tubercles in longitudinal series. The skin over the legs is perfectly smooth. The sides of the abdomen are glandulous, as also the posterior portion of the thighs. The skin on the inferior surface of the head and the belly is glandulous. The color is of a uniform orange. Specimens of this species were collected at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in December, 1838, when a drawing from life was made by Mr. Joseph Drayton. 26 102 BATRACHIA. Plate V, figs. 20 and 21, represent BracJiyceplialus aarantlacus, from above, and size of life. Fig. 22, is a view from beneath. Fig. 23, under surface of the left hand. Fig. 24, under surface of the right foot. 0 P H I D I A. 1855. ORDO II. OPHIDIA. THE Serpents or ophidian reptiles constitute the most characteristic order of the Class. Their body is elongated, generally rounded, narrow, and, in most cases, • diminishing towards both extremities. There are neither limbs nor fins disposed in pairs on the sides of the body, as in most lizards, salamanders, all the toads and frogs, and tortoises. There are, however, a few instances in which rudiments of posterior limbs make their appearance outwardly, under the shape of horny knobs or hooks. The jaws are endowed with the property of being highly dilatable, and thus permit a large prey to enter the buccal cavity. Acerated or hook-like teeth exist upon the jaws gene- rally, and also upon the palatine and pterygoid bones. The eyes are either rudimentary or else well developed ; in no case is there a movable eyelid. The organ of audition is not made apparent out- wardly ; there being neither an aperture nor a tympanic membrane. Their skin is rather tough, capable of great extension, beset with scales or granules, and covered by a continuous epidermis, which is cast and reproduced several times during the year. Such are the most striking characters of the order of reptiles we are now treating of. More detailed information may be found in the " Erpe tologie generale." The want of a more complete series of ophidians, either in this or other collections available for our investigations, has rendered the ar- rangement of the following ones into families, one of the most difficult point. The classification recently proposed by Dumeril, we could not adopt o priori, and lacking the proper materials to satisfy ourselves as to the value of the families by him established, we renounced alto- gether heading these groups, placing the genera one after the other, according to their apparent zoological affinities. 27 OPHIDIA. GENUS SABRINA, GIRAKD. CAR. GEN. — Capite depresso, subovato. Scuto rostmll sub rostro recur- vato. Nare inter scutum nasalem et frontonasalem sita. Scuti alii sunt: praeocularis seu postnasalis, frontalis, 'postoculo-labialis, parie- talis, et postparietalis. GEN. CHAR. — Head depressed, subovoid. Rostral plate extending under the snout ; one nasal and one fronto-nasal : nostril between them. A preocular or postnasal plate. A frontal. A postoculo- labial. A parietal, and a postparietal. SYN. — Sabrina, GRD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sei. Philad. August, 1857. OBSERY. — This is one of the so-called worm snakes, Scolecophides, or vermiform ophidians, and the only one in the collection of the United States Exploring Expedition. It is the same as was observed by Tschudi, a brief account of which is given in the "Fauna Peruana" of the same author. The Scolecophides have been divided into two families by Dumeril and Bibron, the Typhlopians and the Catodonians. Tschudi referred his species to the former, and, according to our own observations, it is to enter the latter, since we found the teeth upon the lower jaw instead of the upper. At the same time, we had to frame a new genus, distinct at the same time from Catodon and Stenostoma, the only two, so far known, of that group. SABRINA TESSELLATA, Grd. (Plate XV, fig. 7-9.) SPEC. CHAR. — Middle of scales blackish-brown, with a lighter margin increasing in width beneath. Tip of tail whitish. SYN. — TypUops tessellatum, TSCH. Faun. Peruan. Herp. 1845, 46. Sabrina tessellata, GRD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. August, 1857. S A B R I X A T E S S E L L A T A. 1Q7 DESCR. — The head is continuous with the body, very slightly swollen upon its middle, the snout being prominently rounded and protruding beyond the lower jaw. Its upper surface is depressed. The rostral plate is the largest of the cephalic series, occupying the convexity of the snout, and rather more expanded beneath than above, though wider upon its middle. On each side of the rostral, and extending likewise from the margin of the upper jaw to the upper surface of the head, is to be observed a nasal plate, broadest upon its middle, where a small nostril is situated, just upon the con- vexity of the snout. The ocular plate starts from the very margin of the upper jaw, spreading as it ascends, and, towards its anterior upper edge, may be seen the eye, of rather large proportion. A narrow pre- ocular extends from the margin of the jaw, between the nasal and the ocular, meeting upwards with a similarly elongated, but little larger, suroculary or oculo-frontal, as there is no other plate of that name. A large postoculo-labial plate occupies the region extending from the ocular plate to the angle of the mouth, where it is met by the scales of the neck. Immediately above the postoculo-labial may be observed a parietal and a postparietal, both very similar in size and shape. The vertex region of the head is occupied by three subhexagonal scales, being a direct continuation of the dorsal series. The mouth, seen from beneath, constitutes a semi-elliptical curve. The inferior labials are very similar to the adjoining submaxillary scales, which, in their turn, are but a trifle smaller than the abdo- minal ones. The teeth are exceedingly small and exiguous. The body, about four inches in total length, is subcylindrical in shape, almost of the same thickness from head to tail, which is slightly tapering and conical at the apex. Fifteen longitudinal rows of scales may be counted as surrounding the body. The scales them- selves are proportionally well developed, imbricated, subhexagonal in general appearance, and a little smaller under the belly than over the back. The tail, about twice the length of the head, is surrounded by scales of the same appearance and structure as those of the body. There is a large, semicircular, preanal scutella. The centre of each scale being either chestnut or blackish-brown, while their margin is of a light-yellow or straw color, the body assumes the appearance of being streaked with dark and light stripes, particularly when the dark spots unite anteriorly and posteriorly with their fellow, which is sometimes the case along the upper region of 108 OPHIDIA. the body. On the head and beneath, the general hue is lighter, owing to a greater development of the light margin of the scales and the isolation of their central dark spot. LOG. — This species inhabits the coast of Peru ; the specimen de- scribed was collected in the rafters of houses at Callao. Plate XV, fig. 7, represents the head of Salrina tessellata, viewed in profile. Fig. 8, is an upper view of the same ; and Fig. 9, an under view, exhibiting the outline and shape of the mouth. All these figures are magnified about four times, in order to show more distinctly the various plates. GENDS CYLINDROPHIS, WAGL. GEN. CHAR. — In this genus there are teeth in the upper and lower jaws, on the palatine and pterygoid bones ; none on the premaxil- laries. The pupil is circular; the nostril situated within one plate. The internasal plates are absent; the cephalic ones, seven in number. Neither a loral nor any anteorbitals ; one postorbital only. The scales are smooth, surrounding the entire body, so that there are no abdominal scutellse, transversely elongated, contrasting with the dorsal scales. The subcaudal scutellaa are entire, and very similar to the ordinary scales of the upper region. SYN.— Cylindrophis, WAGL. Natur. Syst. AmpU. 1830, 195.— BUM. & BIBR. Erp. g6n. VI, 1844, 590. OBSERV. — In drawing up the characters of the genus Cylindropliis, we have had for our sole guidance the species recorded below, and therefore may have to be remodelled so as to include other species. Then, again, the question will recur as to the validity of the genus llijsia, of Hemprich, a question to be settled by the comparative study of all the species referred to both of these genera. CYLINDROPHIS RUFA. 109 CTLINDROPHIS RUFA, Gray. SPEC. CHAR. — Tail conical, shorter than the head. Body above black, brown, or rufous, either uniform or provided with obsolete, transverse, white bars ; a white collar about the neck ; head and extremity of tail black ; a white spot on the frontal plates. Beneath white and black in alternate bauds. SYS. — Anyuis rufa, LACK. Synops. Kept. 1768, 71. — SHAW, Gen. Zool. Ill, ii, 1802, 586. An-juis rti/us, GMEL. Linn. Sjst. Nat. Ill, 1788, 1123. — SCHN. Hist. Ampb. II, 1801, 333. Anyuis striatus, GMEL. Linn. Syst. Nat. Ill, 1788, 1119. Anyuis scytale, Rcss. Ind. Serp. Suppl. 1801, 30, PL xxvn. Anyuis corallina, SHAW, Gen. Zool. Ill, ii, 1802, 582, PL cxxxi. Eri/x rufa, BAUD. Hist. Xat. Kept. VII, 1803, 263. Tortrix rufa, MERE. Tent. Syst. Amph. 1820, 84. — GRAY, Syn. Kept, in Griff. Anim. Kingd. IX, 1831, 74.— SCHIXZ, Naturg. Abbild. Kept. 1834, 131, PL XLVni, tig. 2.— SCHLEG. Ess. physiogn. Serp. I, 1837, 128, & II, 9, PL i, fig. 1-3.— FILIP. Catal. region. Serp. JIus. Pav. 1840, 13. Scytale seheuchzcri, MERR. Tent. Syst. Amph. 1820, 91. Uysia rufa, LiCHTEXsx. Verz. Doubl. Zool. Mus. Berl. 1823, 104.— FITZ. N. Class. Kept. 1^2t.i. 54. Cyllndfop'his rufa, GRAY, Zool. Miscell. 1842, 46.— DUM. & BIBB. Erp. gen. VI, 1844, 595, i VII, i, 1854, 30. Cylindrophis nifus, CASTOR, Journ. Asiat. Soc. XVI, 1847, 53. DESCR. — The head is subconical, of moderate development. The snout is rounded. The eyes quite small and circular. The occipital plates are but a little larger than the scales immediately behind them. The vertex plate is conspicuous, subtriangular, with its summit directed backwards, whilst its base is somewhat convex. There is but one pair of frontal plates properly so called ; they are the largest on the upper surface of the head. In advance of the latter, we observe a pair of fronto-nasals, towards the inferior part of which the nostril opens. The rostral is small and pyramidal, and entirely enclosed by the fronto-nasals. The first labial is the smallest of the series ; it is subquadrangular, transversely elongated, occupying the space opposite the fronto-nasal plate. The second and third labials are superiorly contiguous with the frontal ; the third is the largest, and, together 28 OP HID I A. with the fourth, constitute the lower portion of the orbit; the anterior portion being formed by the frontal. A subquadrangular postorbital is situated between the fourth labial and the supraoculary plate, which is subtriangular, and a little smaller than the vertex plate. The fifth and sixth labials, smaller than the third and fourth, assume the shape of the temporal shields, which are larger than the occipitals, and, con- sequently, larger than the scales about the neck. There are, likewise, six lower labials ; the third, fourth, and fifth being the largest, whilst the sixth is the smallest. The symphyseal is quite small and entirely enclosed by the first pair of labials. The subgular scales are longer than broad, in which respect they differ from those of the abdomen, which are broader than long. The neck is so slightly contracted that the head is almost continu- ous with the body, which is thicker on its posterior than on its anterior portion. The scales are smooth and shining, a little smaller on the dorsal than on the abdominal region. They are subrhomboidal in shape, longer than broad on the back, broader than long on the ab- domen, and both dimensions nearly equal on the sides. There are no abdominal scutellae, though the middle series of scales is slightly larger than the adjacent series, but not different in shape. We count twenty longitudinal series of scales across the middle region of the body, and upwards of two hundred transversal ones from the nape to the origin of the tail. The tail is very short and conical, exhibiting six small subcaudal scutellae. The total length of the specimen de- scribed is seventeen inches. Its color is lustrous-black above, with very faint traces of transverse light bars covering thirteen dorsal series of scales, thus embracing the back and the upper half of the sides, the lower half of which and the abdomen, being white and black, in alternate transverse bands, some- times interrupted upon the middle of the abdomen, the black being a little broader than the white, and not in contiguity with the black of the upper region. The head and the tip of the tail are black. There is a white narrow ring continuous under the neck, and interrupted above. A whitish spot is also to be observed upon the frontal plates. Loc. — The specimen described was obtained at Singapore. AV E X 0 N A. GEXIS WEXONA, B. & G. CHAR. GEN. — Rostra ultra inferiorem maxillam producto. Ocuh's parvu- li&fimis. Scuta vert ids ample et breve. Scutis frontalibus in dua aid tria paria dispositis ; occipitalibm pan-is. Scuti alii sunt : praefronto-nasalis et postnaadKs, inter quos est naris in sutura sita ; lore i is sire cum post/rontalis coalescente sire distincto ; anteorbitalis unu.s; postorbitales duo aut })lure$ ; temporales numerosi. Sqiiamis laecibus, in quadraginta quinque series longitudinales dispositis. Scu- tella postabdominali, seu praeanali, indivisa ; subcaudalibus similiter iiidici-sis. Cauda breve cum apice obtuso. Colore imiforme. GEN. CHAR. — Snout protruding beyond the lower jaw. Eyes very small. Vertex plate broad and short. Two or three pairs of frontals. Occipitals small. A prefronto-nasal and a postnasal; the nostril placed between them. Loral united to the postfrontal or else separated. One anteorbital ; two or more postorbitals. Temporal shields numerous. Scales smooth, disposed upon forty- five longitudinal series. Postabdominal scutella entire. Subcaudal scutellae entire also. Tail short, bluntly terminated. Unicolor. STN.— Wenona, B. & G. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1852, 176 ; & Catal. N. Amer. Kept. I, 1853, 139. OBSERV. — There are, so far, but two known genera of the group of Boidae within the limits of the United States and Territories, Wenona and Charina, both of which being provided with vestiges of posterior limbs and a tail that is not prehensile. We regret not having at our command specimens of Charina bottae, in order to institute between it and the species of TT ^nona a critical comparison, since the two genera appear to us most intimately related. In Charina, the subcaudal scutellae appear to be a good deal smaller than in Wenona, as exhibited by the figure of Tortrix bottae, Blainv. (the type of Gray's genus Charina), published in the " Nouvelles Annales du Museum d'histoire naturelle," for 1835. There are several other prominent differences between these two genera, according to Gray's description in the " Catalogue of the Specimens of Snakes in the collection of the British Museum," published in 1849, and to which we are compelled to refer our readers. 112 OPHIDIA. 1. WENONA PLUMBEA, B. & G. (Plate VII, figs. 1-7.) CHAR. SPEC. — Scutis frontalibus in tria paria dispositis ; pare medio cum loreo coalescente, proinde ad labiales extendente. Scutis laltia- libus in orbitum non productis. Colore plmnbeo-coeruleo supra; infra vero albo-flavescente. SPEC. CHAR. — Three pairs of frontal plates ; middle pair united to the loral, and, consequently, extending to the labials. Labials not entering into the rim of the orbit. Uniform bluish-lead color above ; uniform yellowish-white beneath. SYN.— Wenona plumbea, B. & G. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1852, 176; & Catal. N. Ainer. Kept. I, 1835, 139. DESCR. — The upper surface of the head is slightly convex ; the snout being rounded and prominent. The vertex plate is as broad as long, obtuse-angled anteriorly, and rounded posteriorly. The post- frontals are small and triangular ; the middle frontals, subangular in shape, are transversely elongated, reaching the labials at the commis- sure of the second and third, thus occupying the place of the loral. The prefrontals are angular posteriorly, rounded anteriorly, reaching the first labial, and occupying the* place of the prenasal. The rostral is broad and large. The postnasal is subtriangular, elongated, with its apex directed backwards. The nostrils are vertically elongated, situated between the lateral expansion of the prefrontal and the post- nasal. The occipitals are quite small and united in one plate, mayhap exceptionally. The anteorbital is large, subpyramidal, its apex reach- ing the upper surface of the head, where it meets the vertex one, being produced between the supraocularies and the postfrontals. The supra- ocularies themselves are subquadrangular, more developed upon the surface of the head than in the rim of the orbit. There are four post- orbitals; the uppermost being the largest, and by its elevated position might be considered as a second supraoculary, whilst the inferior one, which is the next in size, rests upon the fifth labial, and might be taken for a second suborbital. The suborbital proper is large and polygonal, situated upon the commissure between the fourth and fifth WE NONA ISABELLA. H3 labials. The temporal shields are numerous, small, scale-like. The cleft of the mouth is slightly deflected. The upper labials are nine in number ; the anterior three are larger than the rest ; the fifth is broadest ; none reach the orbit. The lower labials are small ; the anterior three being the largest ; the first pair on each side of the symphyseal meet posteriorly, enclosing the latter. Three pairs of mental shields may be seen along the middle region, immediately behind the junction of the first pair of labials. The body is subcylindrical, deeper than broad ; the abdomen being comparatively narrow. The tail is short, thick, blunt upon its extre- mity. The scales are small, irregular, subelliptical or sub-lozengiform, disposed upon forty-five longitudinal series, proportionally large in the outer series, and deeper than long. In the second series the scales are larger still than in the remaining ones, where they become uni- formly small, scarcely diminishing towards the middle region of the back ; on the tail, however, they are somewhat larger. The abdomi- nal scutellae are two hundred and six, and the subcaudal ones, twenty- seven in number. The ground color is of a uniform bluish-lead hue above, and yel- lowish-white beneath. Loc. — A specimen, a little short of eighteen inches, was collected up Puget Sound, Washington Territory. Plate VII, fig. 1, represents Wenona plumbea, size of life. Fig. 2, is a side view of the head. Fig. 3, an upper view of the same. Fig. 4, the head, seen from below. Fig. 5, a front view of the same. Fig. 6, the disposition of the scales. Fig. 7, the vent, with the preanal scutella, and the minute scales surrounding it. 2. WEXONA ISABELLA, B. & G. (Plate VII, figs. 8-14.) CHAR. SPEC. — Scutis frontalibus in dua paria dispo&itis. &uto loreo angulare. Quarto et quinlo labialibus in orbitum productis. Scuto 29 OPHIDIA. verticis anteriore parvo, inter postfrontales sito. Colore sordide flu m supra, infra vero obsoleto-flafco. SPEC. CHAR. — Two pairs of frontal plates. An angular loral. Fourth and fifth upper labials entering into the rim of the orbit. A small anterior vertex plate situated between the postfrontals. Uniform isabel-color above, dull-yellow beneath. SYN.— Wenona isalella, B. & G. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. VI, 1852, 176; & Catal. N. Amer. Kept. I, 1853, 140. DESCR. — The eye is larger than in the preceding species, and the snout less protruding. The upper surface of the head is fiat ; the snout rounded upon its periphery. The normal vertex plate is broader than long and rounded posteriorly. A small plate is situated immediately in advance of the latter and between the postfrontals, which may be considered as a second vertex plate. A small, transversely elongated occipital is observed. There are but two pairs of frontals ; the post- frontals are largest, subangular, united on the right side with the loral, whilst on the left side the loral is distinct from the postfrontal, and angular in shape. The prefrontals are likewise subangular, extending to the first upper labial, and occupying the place of the pre- nasal. The rostral is broad, obtuse-angled above. The anteorbital is large, sub-lozengiform, extending to the upper surface of the head, being produced between the postfrontal and supraoculary, and con- tiguous to the vertex plate. The supraoculary is proportionally larger than in W. plumbea, and irregularly rounded. We observe three sub- angular, polygonal postorbitals ; the middle one being the smallest and elongated. Numerous temporal shields, of the size of the post- orbitals, and slightly smaller than the scales. The cleft of the mouth is nearly horizontal. The upper labials are nine in number ; the anterior five higher, else deeper than the rest ; the fourth and fifth entering into the orbit, and thus replacing the suborbitals which are wanting. There are ten lower labials ; the anterior four larger than the rest. The first pair encloses the symphyseal, and posteriorly along the middle region, may be seen four pairs of mental shields. The body is subcylindrical, deeper than broad ; the abdomen being narrow. The tail is short and thick, blunt posteriorly. The scales resemble those of W. plumbea, but are proportionally larger. Those constituting the outer row, not quite so deep compared to their length. MORELIA ARGUS. 115 The abdominal scutellae are two hundred and ten in number, the sub- caudal ones are thirty-four. The color is of a uniform isabel hue above ; dull-yellow beneath. Loc. — A specimen, a little over fifteen inches, was collected up Puget Sound, Washington Territory. Plate VII, fig. 8, represents Wenona Isabella, size of life. Fig. 9, is a side view of the head. Fig. 10, a view of the same, from above. Fig. 11, exhibits the inferior surface of the head. Fig. 12, a front view of the same. Fig. 13, the disposition of the dorsal scales. Fig. 14, the vent and adjoining scutellae. GENUS MORELIA, GRAY. GEX. CHAR. — Upper surface of head covered with scale-like plates. Three pairs of frontal plates larger than the rest. Vertex plate small. A pit on each side of the rostral plate. Anterior three upper labials pitted ; hindermost six lower labials pitted also. Nostrils lateral, in a single plate, with a groove beneath. Eyes lateral, of medium size; pupil elliptical, vertical. Dorsal scales smooth. Subcaudal scutellae disposed upon a double row. STN.— Morelia, GRAY, Zool. Misc. 1842, 43; & Catal. Snakes, Brit. Mus. 1849, 82 & 85. OBSERV. — This genus belongs to the group of Pythonians, whose chief features consist in the development of the premaxillary teeth and supraoculary bone, and in the arrangement of the subcaudal scutellae upon a double row. All the Pythonians inhabit the Old World. MORELIA ARGUS, Dum. & Bibr. SPEC. CHAR. — Dorsal scales small, lanceolated, subtruncated towards the sides and also posteriorly, disposed upon forty-seven longitu- OPHIDIA. dinal series. Tail small, subconical, and tapering to a point. Above bluish-black, irregularly spotted with yellow ; beneath yellowish, maculated with bluish-black. Sw.—Serpens arabica, &c. SEBA, Thes. Nat. II, 1734, 108. Tab. 103, fig. 1. Vlpera argus, KLEIN, Tent. 1755, 21. Coluber argus, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1758, 389.— DAUD. Hist. nat. Kept. VI, 1803, 312. Coluber spilotes, LACEP. Ann. Mus. hist. nat. IV, 1802, 194. Natrix argus, MERR. Tent. Syst. Amph. 1820, 90 & 126. Echidna spilotes, MERR. Tent. Syst. Amph. 1820, 150. Python punctatus, MERR. Tent. Syst. Amph. 1820, 90. — FITZ. Neue Class. Kept. 1826, 54.— BOIE, Isis. XX, 1826, 516. Leptophis punciulatus, GRAY, in King's Voy. Austr. II, 1827, 432. Leptophis spilotus, GRAY, in King's Voy. Austr. II, 1827, 433. Python peronii, Cuv. Mus. Paris, 1827.— LESS. Ann. Sci. nat. XIII, 1828, 391.— WAGL. Descr. & Icon. Amph. 1833, Taf. i. — SCHLEG. Ess. physiogn. Serp. 1837,421. PL xv, figs. 11 & 12.— FITZ. Syst. Kept. 1843, 24. Morelia punctata, GRAY, Zool. Misc. 1842, 43. Morelia argus, DUM. & BIBR. Erpet. gen. VI, 1844, 385. Morelia spilotes, GRAY, Catal. Snakes, Brit. Mus. 1849, 85. Australasian snake, SHAW, in White's Voy. N. S. Wales, 1790, 259 ; and, Gen. Zool. Ill, ii, 1802, 505. Vignette on title page. OBSERV. — There are two prepared skins of this species in the collec- tion we investigate ; the largest one measures about six feet in total length. The dorsal scales increase in size from the middle region of the back sideways; the series adjoining the abdominal scutellae being very large. They are, likewise, larger towards the posterior portion of the back and on the tail than anteriorly. As they increase in size they become less lanceolated, assuming more a truncated or rounded outline. The upper regions are of a bluish-black hue, more or less intense ; each scale bearing an elongated yellow spot upon its centre. Irregular series of yellow blotches are formed by groups of four to six scales entirely yellow. An angular yellow band may be observed on each side of the occiput. The inferior regions are yellow, anteriorly spotted, posteriorly maculated with bluish-black. A lateral series of orange blotches may be observed along the middle region of the body. Loc. — " Found in Mr. Couthouy's bed, on the ground floor of a house near Sydney," Australia. ENYGRUS BIBRONI. H7 GENUS ENYGRUS, WAQL. GEN. CHAR. — The body, in this genus, is deeper than broad, and the tail, of moderate development, is prehensile. Vestiges of posterior limbs may likewise be observed on each side of the anal opening, and much more developed than in We/iona. The upper surface of the head is covered with small polygonal scales instead of plates. The eyes are lateral, that is, placed altogether upon the sides of the head ; the pupil is vertically elliptical. We observe no pits upon the lips. The scales are carinated, rather small, and disposed upon numerous longitudinal series, from thirty-two to thirty-eight in number. The preanal scutella is entire, and the subcaudal scutellae also, that is, disposed upon a single series. X.— Enygrus, WAOL. Nat. Syst. Amph. 1830, 167. — BUM. & BIBR. Erp. gen. VI, 1844,476. OBSERV. — The genus Tropidoboa we have never seen characterized, and therefore are not prepared to discuss its merits as compared to Enygrus. We see it mentioned on Plate I of the " Voyage au Pole Sud et dans 1'Oceanie," but Dumeril has not deemed it advisable to retain it. ENYGRUS BIBRONI, Dum. & Bibr. (Plate VIII, figs. 8-11.) SPEC. CHAR. — Cephalic scales considerably larger anteriorly than pos- teriorly. Dorsal scales disposed upon thirty-eight longitudinal series. Abdominal scutellae two hundred and forty-four; subcaudal scu- tellae sixty-two. Color above brownish or blackish, with irregular, large, black blotches ; beneath yellowish-white, with longitudinal bands of black. STN. — Enyyrus bibroni, DUM. & BIBR. Erpet. gen. VI, 1844, 483. Tropidoloa bibroni, HOMER. & JACQ. in Dumont D' Urv. Voy. au Pole Sud et dans 1'Oceanie. Zool. Kept. 1842, PI. i. 30 OP HID I A. DESCR. — The head is elongated, very much depressed, nearly plane on the occipital, interoculary, and frontal regions, whilst it is declivous towards the loral region. The extremity of the snout is truncated from outwards inwards, so that the upper jaw is seen projecting beyond the lower. The mouth is deeply cleft. The eyes, subcir- cular in shape, are well developed, situated on the sides of the head, with the longitudinal diameter a little longer than the vertical, whilst the pupil is vertically elliptical. The cephalic, scale-like plates, are carinated, and provided moreover with a few very minute tubercles. The rostral plate is- broader than high, does not extend to the upper surface of the snout, is rounded upon its upper margin, which is wider than its lower margin. The nostrils are situated sideways, in the middle of a single plate. The plates upon the fronto-nasal region are considerably larger than on the occipital region, where they are quite small. The orbit is formed by a complete circle of subquadrangular plates, nearly equal in size, except one anteorbital, which is larger than the others. Three or four subquadrangular plates, disposed upon one series between the anteorbital and the nasal, are generally well developed and diminishing in size forwardly ; or else the phrenic region is covered with plates similar in size and shape to those of the upper surface of the head, and disposed upon two series. A third series is composed of two or three small plates, situated above the fourth and fifth labials. The upper labials are ten or eleven in number; the fifth and sixth being situated under the eye, but are excluded from the orbit ; the second, third, fifth, and sixth are the largest ; the first, fourth, and seventh are next in size, the remain- ing ones becoming gradually smaller towards the angle of the mouth. The symphyseal is very much developed, larger than any of the lower labials, broadest towards the tip of the jaw, tapering and rounded posteriorly, and slightly concave laterally. There are about twelve lower labials, the anterior one entirely separated from its fellow by the symphyseal. The anterior six are elongated vertically ; the remain- ing ones quadrangular, diminishing in size posteriorly. We observe four pair of small, scale-like, mental shields, divided by a longitudinal groove. The scales under the throat are slender and elongated. The body is much deeper than broad, and convex above, whilst it is flattened along the abdomen. The dorsal scales, disposed upon thirty-two or thirty-eight longitudinal series, are all carinated, except the series adjoining the abdominal scutellae, where the scales are broad RABDION. and very obtuse upon their posterior margin. The next seven series are composed of quite small and narrow scales, whilst upon the middle region of the back they are the largest of all, broad upon their base. The abdominal scutellae are from two hundred and eighteen to two hundred and forty-four in number and of moderate development ; the preanal one being entire, as well as the rest. The tail, which forms about the seventh of the total length, is subconical ; thirteen longitu- dinal series of scales may be counted upon its base. The subcaudal scutellae, fifty-five to sixty-two in number, are adl entire. The ground color above is either brown, fawn, greyish, or blackish, over which large black patches are more or less apparent. These patches are angular, irregular, and incompletely defined, with inter- vening spaces on the back of reddish-brown; they constitute a dorsal series, and, occasionally, one or two lateral series. The upper surface of the head is barred with black. Beneath, the color is yellowish- white, with a series of black, confluent spots along the external edge of the scutellae, so as to appear like a continuous black band. The middle of the abdomen may exhibit a similar blackish band, which becomes sometimes irregular, giving to the whole abdominal region a marbled appearance. Loc. — Specimens of this species were collected at Savai and Upolu (Navigator Islands), as also on the Feejees, where they appear to be more common than in the former group of islands. According to the naturalists of the Exploring Expedition, these snakes are sluggish and inoffensive, and were often brought to them by the natives. GENUS RABDIOX, DUM. GEN\ CHAR. — The body is slender and cylindrical, covered with smooth scales. The tail short and tapering, and the abdominal scutellae large. The snout is rounded. The cephalic plates are normal ; we observe one nasal, no loral, one anteorbital, one or two postorbitals, six upper labials, the third and fourth beneath the eye, and enter- ing into the orbit. Postabdominal scutella divided ; subcaudal scutella disposed upon a double series. SYN.— R