Chapter II: Part 2

DESCRIPTION.—Head short, almost equilaterally triangular, rising
obliquely from the muzzle to the vertex, then flattened. Nostrils
large, round, each placed in front of the suprà-orbital crest, and
in a line between it and the centre of the muzzle. The ears are
small, oval, the margin simple, and the membrana tympani
superficial. The neck is considerably contracted; it has a
longitudinal fold on each side formed by the confluence of two
others, one of which arises from behind the angle of the mouth,
and the other from above the ear, which is, as it were, enclosed
between them; they coalesce a little behind the ear. There is also
a distinct transverse fold on the throat, very similar to that in
_Leiosaurus Bellii_. The body is moderately thick, somewhat
depressed, and without the slightest appearance of a longitudinal
crest, or any elevation along the median line. The tail is
somewhat longer than the head and body, nearly round and tapering
almost evenly from its origin to the apex. The fore legs are short
and moderately robust, the toes short, nearly equal; the hinder
legs moderately long. The former when placed against the sides, do
not reach the thighs by nearly a third of the distance between the
two limbs; the latter when directed forwards, just reach the
axillæ. The cloacal covering is semilunar, turgid, and the margin
quite simple.

Scales covering the upper surface of the head numerous, rounded,
and considerably elevated; those between the two suprà-orbital
semicircles are in a double series. The occipital plate is oval,
raised from the margin, hollowed immediately around the centre
which is again raised like a minute tubercle. Above the labial
scales, is a series of equal, rounded, oblong scales, and between
these and the principal suborbital is a single series of smaller
ones. Scales of the whole of the upper and lateral parts of the
neck and body extremely small, slightly elevated, passing at the
sides into a flatter and more expanded form. Those of the whole of
the under parts are quite flat and imbricated. Beneath the
anterior parts of the lower jaw, and behind the broad mental
scales, are a series of flat, hexagonal scales on each side,
passing backwards and outwards, the front pair large and oblong
and the others diminishing by degrees. The scales of the throat
are very small, those on the fold larger and acutely rhomboidal.
The scales of the anterior part of the belly are also rhomboidal
and those of the posterior portion hexagonal or nearly quadrate.
The tail is covered by scales disposed in whorls, those on the
median line beneath being larger than the others. Beneath each toe
is a series of transverse hexagonal imbricated scales.

The colours and markings of this species are very difficult to be
described, on account of the great irregularity of their
disposition. The ground colour of the head is yellow, passing into
grey on the back part. The anterior part has several small spots
of a dark brown colour, and there is a larger one on each orbit,
another between the eye and the ear, and others on the back part
of the head extending to the neck. The middle of the back is
reddish yellow, on each side bluish gray, passing beneath into
yellowish white. A series of very irregular transverse spots cross
the yellow median portion of the back, and there are others on the
sides; and these two series becoming confluent on the tail, form,
with the yellow ground, alternate half rings of the two colours.
The upper part of the legs has similar bands. The whole of the
throat, belly, and inferior surface of the limbs and tail are
yellowish white. There are numerous small blackish spots over
these parts which are more distinct and linear on the throat, and
becoming paler, smaller and round on the belly.

_Plate 10._

_From Nature by B Waterhouse Hawkins:
in Lithotint, C Hullmandel’s Patent._
]

_Diplolæmus Darwinii. Nat. Size._

_Plate 11._

_E. Waterhouse Hawkins del;_
_Printed by C. Hullmandel._
]

_Diplolæmus Bibronii_ _Nat. Size._

DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length of the head 1 0
of the body 2 2
of the tail 3 8
────────────────────────────────────────────
Total length 7 0
Length of anterior extremity 1 1
of posterior extremity 1 6

Taken at Port Desire, on the coast of Patagonia.

DIPLOLÆMUS BIBRONII. _Mihi._

PLATE XI.

_Squamis capitis planis; caudâ corpore cum capite breviore._

Habitat, Port Desire.

DESCRIPTION.—Head thick and clumsy, longer than it is broad, muzzle
obtuse, suprà-orbital arches slightly elevated. Nostrils as in the
former species, in size, form, and situation. Ears subtriangular,
the margin simple. Neck considerably contracted, with a
longitudinal fold on each side, and a distinct transverse fold on
the throat. Body rather broad, slightly depressed, perfectly even,
without any central crest or elevation. The tail is shorter than
the head and body, slightly triangular at its base, tapering
regularly to its extremity. Limbs of moderate length; the toes of
each foot longer than in _D. Bibronii_, and those of the fore-feet
more unequal, the third being the longest, then the fourth, the
second, the fifth, and the first. The fore-legs placed against the
side reaches to about two-thirds of the distance between the
shoulder and thigh; the hinder foot placed in the same manner
reaches to the axilla.

The scales of the head are quite flat, a character in which this
species differs remarkably from the former, although in their
number and arrangement they are very similar. The occipital scale
is flat and hexagonal. Between the labial scales and the
suborbital, there are, in addition to the regular series of larger
supralabial scales, at least three distinct series of smaller
ones; whereas in _D. Darwinii_ there is but one.

The scales of the temples, the neck, the body, the limbs and the
tail, are similar to those of the former species in general form
and arrangement, excepting that they are smaller and less
elevated. Those beneath the anterior part of the lower jaw are
much smaller; but the rest on the under parts are similar to the
former.

The head is of a dull light-brown colour, with a few obscure
darker spots. The general ground colour of the back is “bluish
gray, tinged with rust colour;” there are five transverse bands
across the back, which are composed principally of numerous,
close, small, dark-brown spots, on a bluish-gray ground, darker
than the intervals, and without any red tinge; and each band is
marked on the posterior margin with strongly defined semilunar
indentations, bordered with yellowish-white, or bright yellow.
These bands are continued on the tail, where they become
half-rings.

DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length of the head 1 2
of the body 2 9
of the tail 3 5
────────────────────────────────────────────
Total length 7 6
Length of anterior extremity 1 4
of posterior extremity 2 1

GENUS—AMBLYRYNCHUS. _Bell._
AMBLYRYNCHUS DEMARLII. _Bibr._

PLATE XII.

_Cristâ suprà cervicem elevatiore, suprà dorsum humiliore; tuberculis
verticalibus subdepressis, occipitalibus conicis; caudâ tereti._

_Amblyrynchus Demarlii._ Bibr. Hist. Rept. IV. p. 197.

This species was first described by Mons. Bibron in the “Histoire des Reptiles,” and so fully as not to require any detailed account of its characters here. It has not, however, hitherto been figured, and it is thought very desirable to embrace so good an opportunity of giving a representation of so interesting an animal. Its most important structural peculiarities will be alluded to in the account of the next species, which is an aquatic form, whilst the present is strictly terrestrial. The toes are long, compared with those of the other, and so unequal as to constitute essentially an ambulatory form.

By Mr. Darwin’s observations we are now enabled fully to confirm Mons. Bibron’s suggestion, that this species was from the Galapagos, and to establish the genus as strictly appertaining to that curious and interesting locality.

_Reptiles. Plate 12._

_Drawn from Nature on stone by B Waterhouse Hawkins._
_Printed by C. Hullmandel._
]

_Amblyrynchus Demarlii._ _Nat. Size._

AMBLYRYNCHUS CRISTATUS. _Bell._

_Cristâ suprà humeros humiliore; digitis ferè equalibus subpalmatis;
caudâ compressâ._

_Amblyrynchus Cristatus._ Bell, Zool. Journ. 1825, p. 195. Tab. Supp.
XII. Bibr. Hist. Rept. IV. p. 204.

I established the genus _Amblyrynchus_ nearly eighteen years ago, from a stuffed specimen of the present species, which had been obtained by Mr. Bullock, Jun., in Mexico. I had never seen another specimen, until Mr. Darwin brought home a young one from the Galapagos, in excellent preservation in spirits, and thus established its true habitat, and enabled me to correct those errors in my description which arose from drying and bad stuffing. Mons. Bibron also took his description from my specimen, and thus necessarily fell into the same mistakes, of which the most important are those which relate to the form of the tail, and the structure of the feet. Thus the tail is described as “round, excepting towards the extremity, where it is flattened at the sides,” whereas it is in fact much compressed throughout its whole length; and with regard to the toes no mention is made of their being partially united by a web or fold of skin, which is the case both on the anterior and posterior feet. These two characters so obviously point out a power of swimming, that the aquatic habits of the species might at once have been predicated, and it is exceedingly interesting to find, from Mr. Darwin’s observations, that such is really the case. We have, therefore, two distinct forms—distinct equally in their structure and in their habits—in the two species now described; the one, _A. Demarlii_, being truly terrestrial, with lengthened, unequal, and distinctly separated toes and a round tail, and the present species as truly amphibious, having short, nearly equal and webbed toes, and a compressed tail.

A very interesting account of their habits, &c., is given by Mr. Darwin in his delightful Journal of the Voyage of the Beagle, p. 466 to 472, to which the reader is referred, and which exactly accords with the peculiarities of their respective structure just alluded to.

It is remarkable also, that whereas _Amblyrynchus cristatus_ inhabits the coasts of all the islands, the other species is found only in the central portion of the group.

GENUS—LEIOCEPHALUS. _Gray._
LEIOCEPHALUS GRAYII.

PLATE XIII.—FIG. 1.

_Cristâ dorsali elevatâ; caudâ sub-compressâ; squamis ventralibus
rhomboideis, lævibus; margine anteriore meatus auditorii
quadridentato; squamâ occipitali magnâ._

Habitat, Galapagos Archipelago.

DESCRIPTION.—Head, viewed from above, forming a nearly equilateral
triangle, covered with irregular slightly raised scales.
Supra-orbital ridge prominent, and covered with a series of
elongated and imbricated scales. Occipital plate large,
pentagonal, notched at its posterior margin. The anterior margin
of the auditory passage is strongly quadridentate, from the
existence of four long and rather narrow scales. Scales of the
temple obtusely carinated, not imbricated; those of the back
strongly and acutely carinated and disposed in numerous rows,
converging backwards towards the dorsal crest. Ventral scales
rhomboidal, not carinated. Dorsal crest elevated, composed of flat
vertical scales, so closely placed as to constitute an almost
continuous line, extending from the neck to the end of the tail.
Tail somewhat compressed at the base, becoming nearly round
towards the middle. Scales beneath the feet and toes carinated.

COLOUR.—The colour of this species is thus stated in Mr. Darwin’s
notes:—“Upper part clove brown, passing into black brown with
black spots. Sides slightly tinted with orange; some of the scales
of the crest near the head are white; belly nearly white; the
whole of the throat before the fore legs glossy black. This is the
most common variety in the Archipelago. The black spots are not
unfrequently placed in waved transverse bars, and are sometimes
arranged longitudinally.”

DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length of the head 0 9
of the body 2 8
of the tail 5 8
──────────────────────────────────
Total length 9 5

Of this species, one of the most beautiful in the whole order of Saurians, Mr. Darwin obtained numerous specimens, one only of which is fully adult. In the younger individuals the dorsal crest is low and almost inconspicuous. It differs very materially from either of the two species previously described, and I have dedicated it to Mr. Gray, who first distinguished the genus. Mons. Bibron, unaware that Mr. Gray had already constituted the genus under the name _Leiocephalus_, named it _Holotropis_. I have, however, retained the former name, as having the claim of priority.

_Reptiles. Plate 13._

_Drawn from Nature on stone by B. Waterhouse Hawkins._
_Printed by C. Hullmandel._
]

_1. Gymnodactylus Gaudichaudii._
_2. Naultinus Grayii._

It constitutes one of the numerous interesting novelties obtained by Mr. Darwin in the Galapagos. The specimens, which are of various ages, were taken in Chatham Island and in Charles Island.

GENUS—CENTRURA. _Bell._

_Caput breve, triangulare. Aures magnæ, anticè cutis plicâ, haud
dentatâ, partìm celatæ. Nares magnæ, rotundæ. Gulâ transversè
subplicata. Collum atque corpus haud cristata; hoc depressum, latum,
cute longitudinalitèr plicatâ. Cauda teres, basin versus
subdepressa, squamis fortibus spinosis verticillatis. Squamæ capitis
numerosæ, parvæ, rotundatæ, non imbricatæ—corporis minimæ, rotundæ,
subconvexæ, læves. Pori femorales et præ-anales nulli. Dentes
palatini._

The propinquity of this genus both to _Oplura_ and to _Doryphorus_ is very obvious. It differs, however, from both in several structural characters. From the former in the absence of denticulations on the anterior margin of the ear, and of a nuchal crest; from the latter in the presence of palatine teeth. Its place is probably between these two genera.

CENTRURA FLAGELLIFER. _Mihi._

PLATE XIII.—FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION.—Head almost equilaterally triangular, the muzzle rounded;
scales of the head small, nearly equal, rounded, not imbricated,
those of the temples subconical; nostrils round, large, confined
to the nasal scales. Ears rather large, the tympanum lying beneath
the surface, and partly concealed by an anterior fold of skin,
which is not denticulated, as in _Oplura_. Skin of the neck folded
at the sides, that of the body flaccid, and with strongly marked
lateral folds, extending from the shoulder to the thigh. Scales of
the neck and back very small, round, slightly convex, very smooth.
Skin of the throat rugose, with a transverse pectoral fold not
very strongly marked. Scales of the throat similar to those of the
back; those of the belly broader and less convex; all perfectly
smooth. Tail about the length of the head and body, flattened at
the base, then round, surrounded with strong spinous verticillated
scales, of which there are about fifty circles; beneath smooth.
Legs of moderate length, strong, covered with small conical,
imbricated scales. The toes compressed towards the extremity, and
terminated with a strong, short, compressed nail.

COLOUR.—The colour can only be partially described, as the specimen
has been long in spirits. It is of a dark brown colour above, with
darker, obscure markings on the body. About the head are traces of
green. The tail and limbs are rich brown, and the under parts
dull, pale fuscous.

DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length of the head 0 8
of the neck 0 4
of the body 2 5
of the tail 3 7
────────────────────────────────────────────
Total length 7 4
Length of anterior extremity 1 4
of posterior extremity 2 0

FAMILIA—GECKOTIDÆ. _Gray._
GECKOTIENS OU ASCALABOTES. _Bibr._
GENUS—GYMNODACTYLUS. _Spix._
GYMNODACTYLUS GAUDICHAUDII. _Bibr._

PLATE XIV.—FIG. 1.

_Squamâ mentali impari pentagonâ, scutiformi; squamarum labialium
inferiorum paribus quinque, superiorum paribus sex; caudâ medio
crassiore._

_Gymnodactylus Gaudichaudii._ Bibr. Rept. III. p. 413.

This species was first brought from Coquimbo by Gaudichaud, after whom it was named by Mons. Bibron, who described it in his work; but as one specimen alone exists in the French National Collection, and as the species has never been figured, it is thought desirable that a figure should be given in the present work. The characters above given sufficiently distinguish it from all other species; but for a detailed description, the reader is referred to the “Histoire des Reptiles” above quoted.

DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length of the head 0 5
of the body 1 4
of the tail 2 3
──────────────────────────────────
Total length 4 2

_Reptiles Plate 14._

_Drawn from Nature on stone by B. Waterhouse Hawkins._
_Printed by C. Hullmandel._
]

_1. Leiocephalus Grayii._
_2. Centrura flagellifer._

The specimens brought home by Mr. Darwin were from Port Desire, in Patagonia, and the following observations occur in his MS. notes:—“Centre of the back yellowish brown, sometimes with a strong tinge of dark green; sides clouded with blackish brown; in very great numbers under stones; makes a grating noise when taken hold of; after death loses its darker colours.

“A specimen being kept for some days in a tin box, changed colour into an uniform grey, without the black cloudings. I thought I noticed some change after catching and bringing home these animals, but could observe no instantaneous change.”

I have considered these specimens as belonging to the species to which I have assigned them, because they exactly agree with Mons. Bibron’s description. It is, however, very possible that an opportunity of comparing them with those obtained by Gaudichaud, would show them to be distinct, as it rarely happens that the same species of reptile is found on the opposite sides of the American Continent.

GENUS—NAULTINUS. _Gray._
NAULTINUS GRAYII.

PLATE XIV.—FIG. 2.

_Omninò viridis; fronte subconcavo; squamulis capitis planis._

DESCRIPTION.—Head thick, swollen across the posterior part, concave
between the eyes, and forwards nearly to the snout, which is
rounded. Scales of the head larger towards the fore part, nearly
flat. Eyes round, large; ears longitudinally oval. Body covered
with small nearly equal scales. Tail round, one-fifth longer than
the body. Limbs short, the anterior, when placed against the side,
reaching but little more than half way to the thigh; the posterior
reaching about two-thirds the distance towards the shoulder. Toes
short; on the anterior foot the first is the shortest, then the
second, the fifth, and the fourth; on the posterior increasing in
the same series; all compressed towards the extremity, and all
furnished with small curved close claws.

The colour is a fine green.

It was taken at the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. It lives on trees, and is said to make a laughing noise.

This species greatly resembles _Naultinus Elegans_[3] of Mr. Gray, of which a beautiful specimen is in the British Museum. Upon a comparison of the two, however, I find that they differ in the following particulars. In the present species the head is concave between the eyes, and forwards nearly to the snout; in the other, this part is quite plain; the scales of the head in this species are flat; in the other they are convex. The colour of this species is uniformly green, whereas _N. Elegans_ has several markings of a yellow colour, each distinctly bordered with black.

Footnote 3:

See Fauna of New Zealand, p. 203. Zool. Misc. p. 72.

FAMILIA—LACERTIDÆ.
GENUS—AMEIVA. _Cuvier._
AMEIVA LONGICAUDA. _Mihi._

PLATE XV.—FIG. 1.

_Squamis suprà-humeralibus, rhomboideis, imbricatis; subfemoralibus
transversim hexagonis; abdominalibus in seriebus decem
longitudinalibus dispositis; caudâ, corpore cum capite plus quam
duplò longiore, squamis medio carinatis, et ad margine
subcarinatis._

Habitat, Bahia Blanca, Northern Patagonia.

DESCRIPTION.—Head very narrow, much elongated and pointed, the vertex
flattened; nostrils rather large, open, round, directed laterally,
and placed in the centre of the naso-rostral plate; superciliary
plates three in number, the central one the largest; suprahumeral
scales rhomboidal, imbricated, not broader than long, in four
series; those of the arm transversely hexagonal; the anterior
surface of the thigh, and the inferior of the leg, covered with
large hexagonal, somewhat imbricated, scales; caudal scales above
quadrate, longer than broad, with a strong medial carina, and the
lateral margins slightly raised; beneath smooth; tail very long.
Anterior extremity placed against the body, reaching rather more
than half way to the thigh; posterior extremity extending forwards
nearly to the ear.

COLOUR.—The upper surface of this beautiful species is dark brown or
blackish, with nine distinct white or yellowish longitudinal
fasciæ extending through the whole length of the neck and body;
tail with four of these lines. Under parts white.

DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length of the head 0 6
of the neck 0 3
of the body 1 4
of the tail 5 2
────────────────────────────────────────────
Total length 7 5
Length of anterior extremity 0 7
of posterior extremity 1 5

_Reptiles. Plate 15._

_Drawn from Nature on stone by B. Waterhouse Hawkins.
C. Hullmandel Imp._
]

_1._ _Ameiva longicauda._ _Nat. Size._
_2. 2a. 2b._ _Gerrhosaurus sepiformis._ „
_3._ _Cyclodus Casuarinæ._ „

Found at Bahia Blanca by Mr. Darwin. The specimens are probably all of them very young; hence the longitudinal lines can scarcely be considered as permanent, as most species of the genus are beautifully lineated in the young state. The length of the tail, with its carinated scales, the general elegance of the form, the gracile form of the head, and the neat and distinct arrangement of the colours, render this one of the most beautiful species of this elegant genus.

The description of the colours given above, being from specimens which have been long in spirits, it is necessary to state that Mr. Darwin has the following notice respecting one of them—“On the sides two dark red streaks; tail red.”

FAMILIA—ZONURIDÆ.
GENUS—GERRHOSAURUS. WEIGMANN.
GERRHOSAURUS SEPIFORMIS. _Bibr._

PLATE XV.—FIG. 2.

SCINCUS SEPIFORMIS, Schneid. Hist. Amph. II. p. 191. Merr. Syst. Amph.
p. 70. n. 1.

GERRHOSAURUS SEPIFORMIS, Bibr. Hist. des Rept. V. p. 384.

_Corpore cum caudâ longo, serpentiformi; pedibus parvis; squamarum
submaxillarum pari secundo contiguis; squamis dorsalibus magnis,
subrectangularibus, striatis, in seriebus tredecem, et ventralibus
in seriebus octo dispositis._

Habitat, Cape of Good Hope.

After a careful examination of the data from which the different synonyms of this species, and of _Gerrhosaurus flavigularis_, Bibr., have been derived, I am inclined to agree with this author, that the present is the true _Scincus sepiformis_ of Schneider, and of Merrem, and not _Scincus flavigularis_ as supposed by Wagler, Weigmann, and Gray. It is very fully described by Bibron in the “Histoire Naturelle des Reptiles,” but it has not hitherto been figured. There is no notice of it in Mr. Darwin’s notes, further than its having been obtained at the Cape of Good Hope.

FAMILIA—SCINCIDÆ.
GENUS—CYCLODUS. _Wagler._
CYCLODUS CASUARINÆ. _Bibr._

PLATE XV.—FIG. 3.

_Aurium margine anteriore simplici; squamis corporis, in seriebus XXIV
dispositis._

“_Kèneux de la casuarina_, Cocteau, Tab. Synopt.” (_v._ Bibr. Hist. Nat. des Rept. V. p. 749.) _Cyclodus casuarinæ_, Bibr. l. c.

As I have not the work of the lamented Dr. Cocteau by me, I quote the above reference from M. Bibron’s work, in which this species is fully described. It differs from the other species of this curious genus in many minute characters of the scaling of the head, but the most tangible and obvious distinctive character consists in the number of series of scales, which does not exceed twenty-four, all around the body, whilst in the others, they amount to thirty-four or thirty-eight. It would appear that it is liable to some considerable diversity in colour and markings. That which M. Bibron describes, has “the head of a yellowish grey, the whole of the upper part of the body olive grey, and the inferior part whitish grey.” The specimen in the collection of the Zoological Society has the whole upper part of a brownish grey, with twelve black lines extending from the neck along the back and tail, corresponding with the sutures of the longitudinal series of scales. The under surface of the tail is marked by about thirty transverse, interrupted, black bands. The following is the description given by Mr. Darwin from his specimen when taken,—“Scales on the centre of the back light greenish brown, edged on their sides with black; scales on the sides of the body above greyer and with less black, below reddish: belly yellow, with numerous narrow, irregular, waving, transverse lines of black, which are formed by the lower margin of some of the scales being black; head above grey, beneath whitish.” Mr. Darwin adds, that the motion of the body, when crawling, resembles that of a snake. It is not very active. Coleoptera and larvæ were found in its stomach. “It is common in the open woods near Hobart Town in Van Diemen’s Land.”

_Reptiles. Plate 16._

_Drawn from Nature on stone by B. Waterhouse Hawkins._
_C. Hullmandel Imp._
]

_1._ _Rana Delalandii._ │_Nat. Size._
_2._ _Rana Mascariensis._ │ „
_3. 3a._ _Limnocharis fuscus._ │ „
_4._ _Cystignathus Georgianus._│ „

CLASSIS—AMPHIBIA.
ORDO—ANOURA.
FAMILIA—RANIDÆ.
GENUS RANA.
RANA DELALANDII. _Bibr._

PLATE XVI.—FIG. 1.

_Dentibus palatinis in serie transversâ, medio interruptâ, dispositis;
membris posterioribus corpore cum capite duplò longioribus; pedibus
posticis gracillimis, semipalmatis._

_Rana Delalandii_, Bibr. Hist. Rept. VIII. p. 388.

DESCRIPTION.—Head elongate, depressed. Eyes large, not prominent.
Tympanum nearly round. Palatine teeth in two simple series,
commencing at the inner side of the anterior margin of the
posterior nares, and extending towards each other in a transverse
direction, leaving between them a space of about half the length
of each. Tongue not quite as long as it is broad. Body somewhat
depressed, and with the head forming an almost uninterrupted
ellipse. Skin of the back, with several small longitudinal folds.
Anterior legs, when placed against the sides, reaching to the
thigh. Fingers very slender, and of nearly equal length. Posterior
limbs fully twice as long as the head and body. Toes extremely
long and slender, and connected by a membrane by about half their
length.

COLOUR.—The general colour of the upper parts is a rich brown, with
darker brown and white markings. A white median fascia extends the
whole length of the head and body; another fascia of the same
colour and of very irregular figure on each side, passes backwards
and downwards from above the shoulders, and loses itself in the
pale colour of the abdomen. There are several smaller white lines
and spots, and others of a dark rich brown, particularly a large
mark of the latter colour behind the eye, including the tympanum.
The thighs and legs are elegantly banded with similar colours. The
under side is whitish.

DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length of the head and body 1 8
of anterior extremities 1 1
of posterior ditto 3 7

This species was first discovered at the Cape of Good Hope by M. Delalande, and named after him by Mons. Bibron. Mr. Darwin found it in the same locality. It is now figured for the first time.

RANA MASCARIENSIS.

PLATE XVI.—FIG. 2.

_Dentibus palatinis in fasciculis binis obliquis distantibus, ad
marginem interiorem narium posteriorum attingentibus; tympano
circulari, mediocri; digitis posticis usque ad phalanges penultimas
connexis: plantis tuberculo unico; cute dorsi lævi, longitudinalitèr
plicatâ; suprà fusco-rufescens,fasciâ longitudinali pallidâ._

_Rana Mascariensis_, Bibr. Hist. Rept. VIII. p. 315.

Habitat, the Mauritius.

This pretty species of the typical genus of the family was described by Bibron, but has not hitherto been figured. It was found in Mauritius, on swamps near the sea, by Mr. Darwin, who remarks on the extraordinary height of its leaps. It has also been found in the Seychelles, Madagascar, and the Island of Bourbon.

GENUS—LIMNOCHARIS. _Bell._

_Lingua ovalis, integrâ, margine posteriore libero. Dentes palatini
utrinque in fasciculis duobus dispositis, quorum alter ad marginem
anteriorem narium interiorum, alter pone nares interiores, prope
arcum maxillarem. Nasus terminalis, truncatus, ultra labium
productus. Tympanum conspicuum, circulare. Cutis omninò lævis.
Digiti anteriores liberi, posteriores ad basin tantùm palmati._

The genus _Limnocharis_ is remarkable for the existence of palatine teeth in a part of the mouth in which they have never been observed in any other amphibian. Not only is there a small group or line of these contiguous with the anterior margin of the posterior nares,—a situation in which they are found in some other genera of _Ranidæ_, but there is also a group of them placed at some distance behind the posterior margin of these openings, and close within the rise of the maxillary arch. This genus, of which one species only is at present known, will probably be most naturally placed between the true _Ranæ_ and certain of the _Cystignathi_.

LIMNOCHARIS FUSCUS. _Mihi._

PLATE XVI.—FIG. 3.

Habitat, Rio Janeiro.

DESCRIPTION.—Head semi-oval, depressed, as broad as it is long. The
muzzle truncated, extending beyond the lips, which it overhangs.
Tongue oval, entire, free at the posterior margin. Palatine teeth
in two parcels on each side; one consisting of very few at the
anterior and inner margin of the posterior nares, the other behind
those openings, in the angle formed by the maxillary arch and the
orbits. Posterior nares large and oval. Tympanum conspicuous,
nearly circular. Skin every where perfectly smooth, without glands
or pores. Anterior legs of moderate length and size. The fore-arm
rather longer than the upper arm. Fingers of moderate length,
wholly detached. Hinder legs little more than one-third longer
than body. The toes separate, excepting a slight rudiment of a
connecting membrane at their base, which extends, though very
narrow, along their sides, the extremity very slightly notched.

COLOUR of the upper part rich dark brown. The thighs lighter,
obscurely banded with dark brown. Under parts pale blueish grey.
The throat dotted with brown.

DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length of the head and body 1 4
of the anterior extremities 0 7
of the posterior extremities 1 8

Found in brooks at Rio Janeiro by Mr. Darwin, who states that it is infested with acari; and I observe, in the specimen under examination, several marks in the skin, from whence these have been taken.

GENUS—CYSTIGNATHUS. _Wagler._
CYSTIGNATHUS GEORGIANUS. _Bibr._

PLATE XVI.—FIG. 4.

_Dentibus palatinis perpaucis, in fasciculis binis approximatis, pone
nares posteriores; lingua integrâ, oblongâ; tympano celato; pedibus
posterioribus non palmatis._

_Crinia Georgiana_, Tschudi Class. Batrach.
_Cystignathus Georgianus_, Bibr. Rept. VIII. p. 416.

This species, which formed the type of Tschudi’s genus _Crinia_, was separated by him from _Cystignathus_ on account of the form of the tongue, the nonappearance of the tympanum, the paucity of palatine teeth, and the total absence of an interdigital membrane on the hinder feet. These characters being either merely comparative or unimportant, were not considered by Bibron as sufficient to warrant a generic separation, and I have followed him in retaining the species amongst the _Cystignathi_. It was first discovered by Messrs. Quoy and Gaimard at King George’s Sound, in Australia, where it was also obtained by Mr. Darwin. It is a beautiful species; the back being of a rich brown colour, with a pale orange fascia extending along the sides from the eye to the thigh, becoming bright orange on the flanks. Thighs and legs banded with rich deep brown and bright orange.

GENUS—BORBOROCŒTES. _Bell._

_Lingua ovata, posticè libera, rotundata; anticè subacuminata. Dentes
palatini in fasciculis binis plùs minùsve obliquis, pone nares
posteriores positi. Tympanum celatum. Digiti anteriores haud
palmati; posteriores ad basin tantùm cute connexi. Glandulæ cutaneæ
nullæ. Sacculi vocales (maris) utrinque sub lingua nascentes._

The two species on which I have founded this genus approach so nearly to some species of _Cystignathus_, that it is not without hesitation that I determine on considering them as typical of a new generic form. The principal characters on which I have founded the distinction are the position of the palatine teeth, the form of the tongue, the concealment of the tympanum, the absence of glands and pores on the skin, and the connexion of the base of the hinder toes by a rudimentary palmar membrane. It is true that some of the species of _Cystignathus_, as that genus is at present constituted, agree with the present form in some or other of these particulars; but upon the whole they are sufficiently distinct; and in fact the genus _Cystignathus_, as left by M. Bibron, appears to me to stand in need of revision and dismemberment. The species constituting the genus now proposed, are however both new. The genus _Borborocœtes_ will probably stand, in its natural affinities, between _Cystignathus_ and _Cycloramphus_, from the latter of which it differs in the situation of the palatine teeth, in the degree to which the hinder feet are webbed, and the comparative length of the hinder legs. The two latter characters are of importance as indicating a difference of habit; and we find that _Cycloramphus_ has proportionally short hinder limbs, with the toes extensively palmate, whilst in _Borborocœtes_ the hinder legs are much longer, and the toes scarcely at all webbed. The former structure indicates a greater power of swimming, and the latter of leaping.

_Reptiles. Plate 17._

_Drawn from Nature on stone by B. Waterhouse Hawkins._
_Printed by C. Hullmandel._
]

_1._ _Borborocœtes_ _Bibronii._ _1a. Mag. View of Tongue & Gullet._

_Nat. Size._
_2._ _Grayii._ „
_3._ _Pleurodema_ _Darwinii._ „
_4._ _elegans._ „
_5._ _bufoninum._ „

BORBOROCŒTES BIBRONII. _Mihi._

PLATE XVII. FIG. 1.

_Dentibus palatinis in fasciculis distantibus obliquis pone nares
posteriores positis; palmis bituberculatis._

Habitat, Chiloe and Valdivia.

DESCRIPTION.—Head depressed, the vertex slightly concave between the
orbits; front (space included between two lines drawn from the
anterior corner of the orbits to the point of the nose) triangular
and distinct. Nostrils lateral. Eyes rather prominent. Tongue
broad, ovate, acuminated in front, behind entire and rounded, the
posterior half and the sides detached. Palatine teeth in two oval
parcels, direct obliquely backwards and inwards, and situated at
some distance behind the line of the posterior margin of the
nares. Tympanum concealed. Body rather depressed and short. Skin
smooth and without pores or glands, excepting on the posterior and
inferior surface of the thighs, where there are some small
granular elevations. Pore legs two-thirds the length of the head
and body. The fore-arm rather larger than the upper arm. The
fingers entirely separated, the third considerably the longest. A
small tubercle under each joint, and two on the palm near the
wrist. Length of the hinder legs to that of the head and body as 5
to 3, or rather more. Toes connected only at their base. A small
tubercle under each joint, and a very depressed one at the base of
the inner toe.

COLOUR of the upper parts fuscous, with a lateral fascia extending
from the orbit nearly to the thigh, of a dark-brown colour,
bordered with whitish; and another of an elongated triangular form
on each ilium. Legs with transverse incomplete faciæ of the same
colour. Under parts grey, with numerous brown dots.

DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length of the body and head 1 5
of the anterior extremities 1 0
of the posterior extremities 2 6

Taken at Valdivia and at Chiloe, in a thick forest, by Mr. Darwin.

BORBOROCŒTES GRAYII. _Mihi._

PLATE XVII.—FIG. 2.

_Dentibus palatinis in fasciculis subcontiguis paulò obliquis, pone
nares posteriores positis; palmis non tuberculatis._

Habitat, Valdivia.

This species considerably resembles the former in most of its characters. The palatine teeth, however, form at once a certain and tangible distinction and there are some minor points in which they differ, sufficient at a glance to determine them. The head in the present animal is broader than it is long; in the former the breadth is only equal to its length. The palms are in this species without conspicuous tubercles; in the other there are two, although very small.

In colour it differs much from the former. The general colour is a rich fuscous brown, rather paler beneath; the flanks, the throat and belly, and the whole of the thighs and legs, with various white markings, those of the throat and belly being the smallest. This species was found in the forest, in Valdivia.

GENUS—PLEURODEMA. _Tschudi._

I have thought it right to follow Tschudi in separating from the genus _Cystignathus_ of Wagler, such species as have large and conspicuous lumbar glands, particularly as they all agree in possessing a much more bufonine aspect than the others. The discovery of three new species, all agreeing in these characters with _Pleurodema Bibronii_ of Tschudi, increases the importance of the grounds upon which this separation is made.

PLEURODEMA DARWINII. _Mihi._

PLATE XVII.—FIG. 3.

_Dentibus palatinis paucis, minimis; lingua subcordatâ, vix
emarginatâ; glandulis lumborum magnis, rotundis, convexis; digitis
posticis ad basin tantùm membranâ connexis; dorso sparsìm
tuberculato-glanduloso; suprà pallidè virescens, maculis
fusco-olivaceis._

Habitat, Maldonado.

_Reptiles. Plate 18._

_Drawn from Nature on Stone by B. Waterhouse Hawkins._
_C. Hullmandel Imp._
]

_1. 1a._ _Leiuperus salarius._
_2. 2a. 2b. 2c._ _Pyxicephalus Americanus._
_3. 3a. 3b._ _Alsodes Monticola._
_4. 4a._ _Litoria glandulosa._
_5. 5a. 5b._ _Batrachyla leptopus._

DESCRIPTION.—Head triangular, rather broader than long. Muzzle
rounded. Eyes slightly prominent. Tongue somewhat heart-shaped,
scarcely emarginated behind. Palatine teeth very few, and with
difficulty perceptible, placed in two small groups between the
posterior nares. Body thick and broad, with numerous glandular
tubercles scattered over the surface, principally on the anterior
parts, and assuming somewhat of a longitudinal arrangement. Lumbar
glands large, round, and prominent. Legs robust and short. Toes of
the fore feet wholly separate, with a small tubercle under each
joint, and two larger ones at the hinder part of the palm. Hinder
toes, with a rudimentary membrane at the base, a small tubercle
under each joint; the first and second toes very short. A conical
tubercle at the inner, and another at the outer side of the
metatarsus.

COLOUR.—The upper surface is beautifully marbled with dark olive or
black, on a light-green ground; some of the markings assume
somewhat of an ocellated form, and approach to a symmetrical
arrangement. The lumbar glands are more strongly coloured than the
other parts, the centre being black, and nearly surrounded by a
bright line of very light green, or nearly white. The thighs are
numerously banded with the prevailing colours, and a tinge of
orange or red. Beneath pale; in some specimens blackish under the
chin.

The aspect of this species is remarkably bufonine; and this character is increased by the numerous glandular tubercles on the surface of the body, and pores about the parotid region. It is, doubtless, similar in its habits to many of the toads.

DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length of the head and body 1 4
of the anterior extremities 0 8
of the posterior extremities 1 7

It was repeatedly found by Mr. Darwin at Maldonado, near the mouth of the river La Plata.

PLEURODEMA ELEGANS. _Mihi._

PLATE XVII.—FIG. 4.

_Dentibus palatinis prominentibus, in fasciculis binis ovatis obliquis
dispositis; lingua rotunda integrâ; glandulis lumborum ovalibus,
valdè convexis; digitis posticis haud palmatis; dorso
tuberculato-glanduloso, fusco, nigro obscurè maculato, fasciâ
longitudinali pallidâ._

Habitat, Valparaiso, Valdivia, and Archipelago of Chiloe.

DESCRIPTION.—Head semi-elliptic, as broad as long. Muzzle rounded.
Eyes very slightly prominent. Tongue large, round, entire, very
thick. Palatine teeth prominent, disposed in two oval groups,
extending obliquely backwards and inwards, but separated by a
considerable interval. Body somewhat depressed and elongated, with
many prominent glandular tubercles, and with pores about the
parotid region. Lumbar glands of moderate size, of an elongated
oval form, and very convex. Legs rather slender, the anterior feet
with the third toe considerably the longest; a small tubercle
under each joint of all the toes, and several small inconspicuous
ones on the palm; hinder legs rather elongated, the toes long,
particularly the fourth, the first very short; a small tubercle
under each joint; the inner metatarsal tubercle prominent, the
outer one inconsiderable.

COLOUR.—The markings of this species are very elegant and striking.
The ground colour of the upper parts is a rich brown, with darker
cloudings and marks; a light yellowish longitudinal line running
all the length from the nose to the extremity of the body, a very
irregular fascia on each side of the same colour enclosing a brown
oblong spot on the upper lip, another just behind the tympanum,
and two others on the sides; there is also a brown fascia from the
extremity of the nose to each eye; the lumbar glands are black and
yellow, distinctly marked. The limbs are obscurely banded with
brown and pale yellowish. The colours in some specimens are more
obscure than in that figured, and they appear to lose their
clearness with age.

The following are the colours of the brighter individuals according to
the observations of Mr. Darwin:—“Yellowish and broccoli-brown,
with darker brown marks; broad medial dorsal line, pale gallstone
yellow; lumbar glands saffron yellow and jet black.” Another
specimen was “ash-grey with blackish brown marks.”

DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length of the head and body 1 8
of the anterior extremities 1 0
of the posterior extremities 2 4

The general habit of this species is much more in accordance with its relation to the _Ranidæ_ than that of the other species of the genus. Its general form is more elongated and depressed, and the limbs, particularly the hinder ones, are longer in proportion to the body. It is certainly very near _Pl. Bibronii_ of Tschudi, but still undoubtedly distinct.

PLEURODEMA BUFONINUM. _Mihi._

PLATE XVII.—FIG. 5.

_Dentibus palatinis prominentibus, in fasciculis binis ovalibus,
obliquis, dispositis; lingua subcordiformi, subemarginata; glandulis
lumborum maximis, ellipticis, planis; digitis posticis dimidio ferè
palmatis, marginatis; dorso glandulis parvis instructo,fusco-griseo
maculis, nigris, lineâ longitudinali pallidâ_.

Habitat, Port Desire, Patagonia.

DESCRIPTION.—Head short. Muzzle rounded. Eyes prominent. Tongue thick,
slightly heart-shaped, scarcely notched on the posterior margin.
Palatine teeth prominent, in two oval groups, converging
backwards. Tympanum rather small, perfectly round, conspicuous.
Parotid glands distinct. Body thick and broad, with small
glandular tubercles dispersed over the surface, particularly at
the anterior part. Lumbar glands extremely large, elliptic-ovate,
flat. Legs of moderate length, rather robust. Anterior toes
separated, excepting at the base; a small tubercle under each
joint, and several very small ones on the palm; hinder toes united
to about half their length, and bordered on each side to the
extremity; metatarsal tubercles prominent; soles of the hinder
feet with many minute tubercles.

COLOUR.—The upper surface of this species is of a brownish grey
colour, sometimes greenish brown or dark olive, and with numerous
irregular spots of dark-brown or black. Thighs and legs with
fasciæ of the same colour. Beneath yellowish white; in some with
numerous blackish dots under the throat.

DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length of the head and body 1 8
of the anterior extremities 1 0
of the posterior extremities 2 3

Found by Mr. Darwin at Port Desire, in Patagonia, and high up the river Santa Cruz—“probably,” says Mr. Darwin, “the most southern limit for this family.”

GENUS—LEIUPERUS. _Bibr._
LEIUPERUS SALARIUS. _Mihi._

PLATE XVIII.—FIG. 1.

_Suprà nigricans, lumbis maculis 3 vel 4 nigris, albo-marginatis._

DESCRIPTION.—The head is short, the opening of the mouth small, the
tongue rather thick, very slightly emarginate behind, and with the
posterior margin free. The eyes small; the tympanum not very
conspicuous; there is a trace of a parotid gland on each side of
the neck. The body is rather thick, and the limbs proportionally
short. The hinder toes are only connected at the base by a
rudimentary membrane, the first four gradually increasing in
length, and placed along the side of the matatarsus, one beyond
the other; the fifth on the same line as the fourth, but not more
than half its length. The metatarsal tubercle is rather prominent,
and there are small subarticular tubercles on the toes of all the
feet.

COLOUR.—The colour of the upper parts is brownish black. On each side
near the thigh are three or four perfectly round black spots, each
surrounded with a white line. The under parts whitish.

Of this second species of a rare and remarkable genus, one specimen only exists in Mr. Darwin’s collection. It is only the third known instance, in the family of the RANIDÆ, of the absence of palatine teeth; the others being _Oxyglossus Lima_ of Tschudi, and _Leiuperus marmoratus_ of Bibron. The present genus must be considered as nearly approaching the family of the BUFONIDÆ in the absence of palatine and the extreme minuteness of the maxillary teeth, in the extremely small gape of the mouth, the thick form of the body, the shortness of the limbs, and the existence of rudimentary parotid glands. I have not had an opportunity of comparing this specimen with those on which Bibron founded the genus, but I cannot doubt the specific distinction between them.

DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length of the head and body 0 9
of the anterior extremities 0 5
of the posterior extremities 1 1

It was found by Mr. Darwin at Port Desire, and its habitat is very remarkable. “It is bred in and inhabits water far too salt to drink.”

GENUS—PYXICEPHALUS. _Bibr._
PYXICEPHALUS AMERICANUS. _Bibr._

PLATE XVIII.—FIG. 2.

_Lingua cordiformi; dentibus palatinis in lineâ transversâ interruptâ,
inter nares posteriores positis; tympano celato; dorso mammillato._

This curious species has, I believe, only once before been found. A single specimen exists in the French Museum, which was brought from Buenos Ayres by Mons. d’Orbigny, and which formed the subject of Mons. Bibron’s description. Mr. Darwin’s specimen was taken on the open plains at Monte Video.

Of the three species of this remarkable genus at present known, two are inhabitants of Africa, from whence they were brought by Delalande. As neither of them has as yet been figured, it was thought desirable that the present opportunity should be taken to exhibit some of the generic characters, and especially the hard horny spur on the hinder foot.

This genus is one of those bufonine forms of the RANIDÆ which irresistibly lead us to doubt the correctness of the present received arrangement of the anourous Amphibia.

GENUS—ALSODES. _Bell._.

_Caput convexum. Lingua anticè acutè-producta, posticè rotundata, et
libera. Dentes palatini inter nares posteriores. Tympanum celatum.
Aperturæ Eustachianæ haud conspicuæ. Digiti anteriores ad basin
tantùm—posteriores usque ad phalangem tertium membranâ connexi._

A genus of the Raniform group, nearly allied, as Mons. Bibron observes, to _Scaphiopus_, by the structure of the hands, which, although without any projecting rudimentary thumb, has a small process under the skin, along the extreme margin of the first finger. In common with the genus _Bombinator_, it has the opening of the Eustachian tubes so small as scarcely to be detected.

ALSODES MONTICOLA. _Mihi._

PLATE XVIII.—FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION.—Head semi-elliptical, somewhat convex, with the muzzle
nearly perpendicular; vertex smooth. Eyes of moderate size.
Nostrils very small, opening upwards. Tongue broad and rounded
behind, narrowing to a point at the apex, detached at the
posterior part. Palatine teeth in two small approximate patches,
between the posterior nostrils. Openings of the Eustachian tubes
scarcely visible. Extremities of moderate length. The fore feet,
with four rather short toes, connected at the base by a short
membrane; the inner toe broad, and with a slight projection under
the skin, along its inner margin; hinder toes connected as far as
the joint of the second and third phalanges.

The colour of the only specimen in the collection has become totally changed into a smoky brown by the spirit, but the following is Mr. Darwin’s description of it when living: “On the centre of the back a strong tinge of grass-green, shading on the sides into a yellowish brown; iris coppery.”

DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length of the head 0 5
of the body 1 0
of the anterior extremities 0 9
of the posterior extremities 1 8

Mr. Darwin found this species “in the island of Inchy, archipelago of Chonos, north part of Cape Tres Montes, from the same great height as _Bufo Chilensis_ (from 500 to 2500 feet elevation) under a stone.”

GENUS—LITORIA. _Bibr._
LITORIA GLANDULOSA. _Mihi._

PLATE XVIII.—FIG. 4.

_Femoribus posticè glandulosis; digitis posticis brevitèr palmatis._

This species agrees in many respects with _Litoria Americana_ of Bibron. It differs, however, in the toes being much less palmate, at least according to the generic character given by that excellent naturalist, and in the existence of numerous thick glands on the posterior part of the thighs. The very slight degree to which the extremities of the toes are dilated in the other species of this genus, and which would at first sight lead to their allocation amongst the Raniform rather than the Hyliform group, is in the present species even more strongly exhibited; and it can scarcely be said that any dilatation exists at all.

The colours in the only specimen brought by Mr. Darwin are much obscured. The upper parts are apparently of an uniform brown, the under parts whitish, dotted with brown.

It was taken by Mr. Darwin at Concepcion, in Chile.

GENUS—BATRACHYLA. _Bell._

_Lingua suborbicularis, posticè libera. Dentes palatini in fasciculis
binis obliquis inter nares posteriores dispositi. Tympanum
distinctum, parvum, rotundum. Digiti depressi, ad apicem paullò
dilatati, truncati. Anteriores ad basin tantùm—posteriores paulò
plus palmati._

This genus, which considerably resembles _Hylodes_, is nevertheless sufficiently distinct from it, in the distribution of the palatine teeth, in the form of the dilatations of the toes, in the presence of a small palmar membrane, and some other points. One of the most remarkable of its characters is the form of the dilatation at the extremity of the toes; it is very small, transverse, truncated, and even a little emarginate; in this respect it must be considered as constituting a very near approach to the family of the RANIDÆ. We are unfortunately without any information as to the habits of the only known species which could throw any light upon its relations; but it is very clear that the dilatations of the toes are not such as to constitute it a true _tree-frog_, nor, on the other hand, are the connecting membranes of sufficient extent to give it the typical character of the swimming group of these animals.

BATRACHYLA LEPTOPUS. _Mihi._

PLATE XVIII.—FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION.—Head depressed, broad, rounded. Nostrils small, placed
near together. Eyes large, opening considerably upwards. Tongue
nearly round, the posterior part free for about one-third of its
length. Palatine teeth placed in two small oval groups, placed
obliquely, between the posterior nostrils, separated from each
other by a considerable space. Tympanum small, nearly round. Limbs
of moderate length. The toes on all the feet depressed, slender,
the terminal dilatation very small, transverse, truncated; those
of the fore feet connected at the base only, those of the hinder
to the union of the first and second phalanges; of those of the
fore feet the third is the longest, then the fourth, the second,
and the first; of the hinder the fourth is the longest, then the
third and fifth equal, then the second and the first. There are
some minute scattered glands on the posterior part of the thighs.

The only specimen in Mr. Darwin’s collection is in so bad a condition, that it is impossible to say with any certainty what is its natural colour. It is brown above, with a lighter band across the head between the eyes, and there are traces of a longitudinal line down the back; the limbs are banded with brown and brownish yellow; the under parts are pale, dotted with brown.

DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length of the head 0 5
of the body 1 0
of the anterior extremities 1 0
of the posterior extremities 2 1

Found by Mr. Darwin at Valdivia.

GENUS—HYLORINA. _Bell._

_Caput subrotundum planum. Linguæ magnâ circularis, posticè libera.
Dentes palatini in lineâ transversâ, parum interruptâ, dispositi.
Tympanum distinctum. Digiti subdepressi, ad apicem obtusi, haud
expansi; anteriores ferè liberi; posteriores ad basin membranâ
connexi, et marginati. Femora multò glandulosa._

A genus nearly allied to _Hylodes_, from which, however, it may at once be distinguished by the palmure of the hinder toes—which in _Hylodes_ are entirely free—and by the absence of even the slightest dilatation of their extremities; offering another example of an osculant form between the HYLIDÆ and the RANIDÆ.

HYLORINA SYLVATICA. _Mihi._

PLATE XIX.—FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION.—Head broad, rounded, the anterior margin, from the nose
to the lip, nearly perpendicular. Eyes large and prominent.
Tympanum distinct, small, round. Tongue very large, circular, and
entire, the posterior half free. Palatine teeth placed in a
transverse line between the posterior nostrils, scarcely
interrupted in the middle. Skin of the back rugose. Anterior feet
with the toes long, rather slender, united at the base only by a
very short membrane, with round subarticular tubercles, the apex
rounded, but not presenting the slightest expansion. Hinder toes
similarly formed, but with the connecting membrane more
conspicuous, and extending along the sides of the toes nearly to
the extremity. Thighs covered on the under and posterior surface
with rather large and distinct glands.

_Reptiles. Plate 19._

_Drawn from Nature on stone by B. Waterhouse Hawkins._
_C. Hullmandel Imp._
]

_1. 1a._ _Hylorina_ _syvatica._
_2. 2a._ _Hyla_ _agrestis._
_3. 3a._ _Vauterii._

The following is the description of the colouring, as given by Mr. Darwin from the living specimen. “Above fine grass green, mottled all over with copper colour, which nearly forms two longitudinal bands; beneath entirely of a lurid reddish lead colour. Iris brown.”

DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length of the head 1 0
of the body 1 8
of the anterior extremities 2 1
of the posterior extremities 4 4

Found by Mr. Darwin in the Archipelago of Chonos (S. of Chiloe) in thick forests.

GENUS—HYLA.
HYLA VAUTERII. _Bibr._

PLATE XIX. FIG. 2.

_Linguæ subcordiformi, posticè emarginatâ. Dentibus palatinis in
fasciculis binis ovalilibus, subcontiguis. Oculis prominentibus.
Capite tam lato quam longo. Gulâ bi-plicatâ; suprà levitèr—infrà
multùm granulosâ. Dorso fusco-griseo, punctis, maculis et fasciis
lateralibus nigris_.

_Hyla Vauterii._ Bibr. MS.