Engystomatidae 



captivity, sings almost continually. A throat-pouch which 

 extends backward to a line between the points of the arm inser- 

 tionsis inflated during the call. The chorus in full swing is 

 said to be much louder than that of the Cricket Frog (Acris 

 gryllus) or of the Swamp Tree Frog (Choropbilus n. feriarum). 

 That this batrachian is found in southern Illinois is an inter- 

 esting fact, as it marks Illinois as part of a southern zoological 

 region, very different from other places of the same latitude. 



ENGYSTOMA TEXENSE, GIRARD 



Engystoma texense Girard 

 IDENTIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS 



Colour: Grey, greenish or brownish, speckled and spotted 

 irregularly with black. Spots show a tendency to arrangement 

 in lines running lengthwise of the back. Tibia crossed by two 

 narrow black bands placed close together. (See Fig. 193.) Un- 

 derparts covered with light-coloured transparent skin, which 

 shows the dark organs through. Throat and breast obscurely 

 spotted with brown. 



Measurements: Size small, i. e. length I inch or slightly over. 

 Distance from tip of muzzle to shoulder one-third total length, and 

 greater than corresponding measurement in Engystoma car- 

 olinense. Legs relatively short. Tibia longer than femur. 



Structure: Skin smooth. Fold of skin back of eyes relatively 

 inconspicuous. Canthus rostralis prominent. Three carpal tu- 

 bercles. Inner sole tubercle small; outer lacking. 



Range: Rio Seco, Texas, is the type locality. Also reported 

 from San Diego and Brownsville, Texas. 



This active little batrachian was found in 1859.* It was 

 described by Girard and given the specific name texense. Later 

 it was grouped with Engystoma carolinense by Cope/ It differs 

 from the Carolina Engystoma in many respects. It is smooth- 

 skinned, instead of tubercular. It has a narrower and more 

 pointed head, a more slender body, and shorter legs. (See Fig. 



1 Capt. John Pope. 



* Probably owing to the poor condition of the type specimen in the National Museum. 



1 68 



