1852.] 



173 



October 2^th. 



Vice-President Bridges in the Chair. 



The Committae to which was referred the following papers by Prof. 

 Baird and Mr. Charles Girard, reported in favor of publication in the 

 Proceedings : 



Characteristics of some new Reptiles in the Museum of the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution. 



By Spencer F. Baird and Charles Gibard. 



Third part. Containing the Batrachians in the collection made by J. H. 

 Clark, Esq., under Col. J. D. Graham, on the United States and Mexican 

 Boundary. 



Amblystoma PROSERPINE, B. and G. Head oval, longer than broad. Limbs 

 and toes well developed. Posterior legs a little shorter than the anterior ones. , 

 Tail somewhat compressed, tapering; shorter than the body and head together. 

 Five inches in length from the end of the mouth to the tip of the tail : head one- 

 eighth of this length. Body nearly cylindrical, more so in the male than in the 

 female. 



This species is related to A. mavortium, which it resembles in coloring, but 

 it differs from the latter in having a proportionally longer head, and longer limbs 

 and toes. The tail, however, is shorter. 



Six immature specimens were obtained at Salado, four miles from San Antonio, 

 Texas. Specimens nearly full grown were collected by R. H. Kern, Esq., of 

 Philadelphia, on the route from Montgomery, Mexico. 



Rana areolata, B. and G. Head very large, sub-elliptical ; snout prominent, 

 nostrils situated half way between its tips and the anterior rim of the eyes, which 

 are proportionally large. The tympanum is spherical, and of medium size ; its 

 central portion is yellowish-white, whilst its periphery is black. The body is 

 raiher short and stout ; the limbs well developed ; the fingers and toes very 

 long without being slender. The ground color of the body and head is yellowish- 

 green, marked with dark brown. Besides there are from thirty to fifty brown 

 areolae, margined with a yellowish line. The upper part of the limbs is of the 

 same color as the body, but instead of areolae, transverse bands of brown are 

 seen on the hind ones. The lower part of ihe head and body is yellowish, with 

 small dusky spots along the margin of the lower jaw, and under the neck. 



A specimen three inches and a half long was found at Indianola, and a small 

 one on the Rio San Pedro of the Gila. 



BuFo PDNCTATUS, B. and G. Head short, sub-triangular ; upper surface even. 

 Two inches in total length. Body and upper portion of the limbs covered with 

 minute red tubercles. Color of a uniform yellowish-green or yellowish-brown, 

 punctured with red on the head, on the upper part of the body and limb?. Be- 

 neath yellowish, with occasional minute dots under the head and on the breast. 

 Caught on the Rio San Pedro of the Rio Grande Del Norte. 



BuFO GRANULOSUS, B. and G. This species is closely related to the preceding, 

 from which it can be distinguished by a larger and more triangular head, whose 

 upper surface presents a widely open groove, extending from the occiput to the 

 snout, where it terminates in a very narrow channel. The upper periphery of 

 the orbits is thus surrounded with a carina which extends from the eyes to the 

 nostrils below. The body is covered with very conspicuous tubercles. The 

 limbs are rather slender. The ground color is brown, maculated or marbled 

 above with black patches and dots. Unicolor beneath. 



One specimen was collected on the route between Indianola and San Antonio, 

 Texas. 



