Bufonidae 



margins of the large spots. (See Fig. 89.) Distinct line of 

 slightly larger warts from posterior end of parotoid backward. 

 Muzzle very steep, both on the sides and in front. (Fig. 91.) 

 There is a hard, bony elevation above the nostrils and between the 

 eyes in front. This elevation fills up what in other species of toads 

 is a groove between the two lines of the canthus rostralis. (Figs. 

 87 and 89.) There are two rounded bony ridges extending 

 obliquely backward from this median bony elevation. Back of 

 the eyes, these two ridges meet two similar ridges, each of which 

 extends between the eye and the parotoid gland outward and 

 downward to the ear of its respective side. (See Figs. 86 and 89.) 

 The nostrils open upward and are situated just half-way between 

 the top of this bony elevation and the jaw below. (Fig. 86.) The 

 ear is a conspicuous vertical oval. It varies in size, but is usually 

 less than half the diameter of the eye. The parotoid glands are 

 short elevated ovals extending obliquely down on the shoulders. 

 (Figs. 89 and 91.) 



Hand with one large palm tubercle; the remainder of the 

 palm set with crowded small tubercles. (See Fig. 85.) Foot 

 thick, with tarsal ridge. Toes slender, fourth toe much longer than 

 the others. Web deeply indented. Sole tubercles large, both 

 with cutting edge; the inner is at least three times as large as the 

 outer. The tubercles under the toe-joints may be double. (Figs. 

 85 and 88.) 



Range: Bufo cognatus Say, has been reported from Nebraska, 

 Colorado, Kansas, Arkansas, and Arizona. It is probably found 

 in other states of the Western plains, as well as in others of the 

 Rocky Mountain region. 



Bufo cognatus, common toad of the Western plains, is one of 

 our largest North American species. It is a toad very distinctive 

 in its characteristics, notwithstanding the fact that in localities 

 where it is found with Bufo I. woodhousei, the two toads are usually 

 confused. 1 It can always be recognized by the bony elevation in 

 front, above the nostrils and between the eyes anteriorly; by the 

 large outer sole tubercle with its cutting edge; by the short femur 

 and long foot. 



See p. 93. 



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