RANA. 205 
species. The difficulty is not likely to be solved soon—first, because the typical 
specimens are evidently in an indifferent state of preservation, and, secondly, because 
no collection contains sufficient material from the various localities of ‘Tropical 
America to permit of a satisfactory examination. Central-American specimens differ 
very considerably in the extent of the web between the toes, in the size of the 
tympanum, and in coloration; as far as the material before me goes, I distinguish 
among them at least two species, for one of which I retain the name of 2. palmipes, 
but whether or not this is the species so-called by Spix, I am unable to say. In South- 
American specimens similar differences occur and have been noticed by Cope, who 
described a Lanula brevipalmata and R. nigrilatus as distinct species. They may 
possibly be identical with Central-American examples, but without direct comparison 
of specimens from the northern and southern countries it is impossible to arrive at a 
definite conclusion. 
Hab. Mexico (Sallé); Guaremata, Vera Paz (Salvin).—Northern parts of Tropical 
South America. 
Form of the body somewhat slender; head of moderate size, with the snout rather 
long ; canthus rostralis angular; loreal region high and concave. Tympanum 
two-thirds the size of the eye. Vomerine teeth in two short groups between 
the hind margins of the choane. First finger slightly extending beyond the second. 
Toes with small terminal disks and with the web reaching nearly to the last phalanx 
of the fourth toe. A small inner metatarsal tubercle. Hind limb without tarsus 
shorter than, fourth toe (from metatarsal joint) half as long as, the body. Back 
with a narrow glandular fold; skin smooth. Brownish (in spirits), without or with 
indistinct marblings ; legs barred; thighs finely mottled behind; lower parts whitish, 
thighs sometimes spotted below. Upper lip with a whitish line. 
Measurements of an adult (?) female :— 
Distance between snout and vent . . . - . . + 58 millim. 
Diameter of tympanum ........, 55, 
Length of hind limb to tibio-tarsal joint . . . . . . 50 ,, 
, fourth toe from metatarsal joint . . . . . 30 , 
9. Rana melanosoma, sp.n. (Tab. LXIII. fig. B.) 
Rana palmipes, part., Bouleng. Batr. Sal. p. 48. 
Hab. Guatemats, Duefias (Salvin)*; Nicaraaua, Hacienda Rosa de Jericho, 3250 
feet (Rothschild). 
Form of the body and size of the head moderate ; snout moderately long, rounded, 
* Two specimens from Lanquin (Salvin) are not in a sufficiently good condition to allow me to give an 
opinion as to their species. 
