344 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



pressed hinder limb. Soles smooth ; tarsus very broad. Tail longer than 

 head and body, not much elevated, compressed, subcylindrical at base; 

 a slight rudiment of a crest. Total length 6 inches 6 lines ; of tail 3 inches 

 6 lines. 



General color above brownish black ; this is everywhere relieved by large 

 oval yellow spots ; of the latter those on the inferior lateral region are more 

 or less confluent with the deep saffron of the abdomen. Chin and median 

 line of tail beneath rather paler than belly. 



The following verbal communication should have been inserted 



'& 



under date of August 5th : 



Mr. Cope called attention to a curious Cuban Bufonid (Peltaphyrne empusa) 

 for the possession of which the Academy was indebted to Professor Philipe Poey 

 of Havana. The genus, which had not been previously characterized, differed 

 from Bufo and Chilophryne as did Trachycephalus from Hyla among tree- 

 toads ; i. e. in the dermo-osseous coating of the head. Thus two of the pre- 

 dominant genera of the regio neotropica are represented in this insular portion 

 of it by types differing from them in the same manner. The continental por- 

 tion of the region is known to abound in forms characterized by peculiar 

 dermo-ossifications. Such are its Batrachian genera Calyptocephalus, Brachy- 

 cephalus, Ceratophrys, Phrynocerus ; its Alligatoridae, its Goniodontidae, and 

 shielded Nematognathi. 



In P. e m p u s a the ossification was more extensive than in P. p e 1 1 o c e- 

 p h a 1 a, and in one respect was farther developed than in the genera Phryno- 

 cerus and Ceratophrys ; inasmuch as a broad bridge connected the mastoid 

 and quadrato-jugal regions, extending posterior to the tympanum. The 

 covering-in of the maxillo-quadrate sinus was a degree of ossification in both 

 species of Peltophryne not observed in the two genera mentioned ; nor did it 

 possess the (?) crotaphite foramen exhibited by them. Externally in the latter 

 region the dermo-ossification was like that of Ceratophrys d o r s a t a, and less 

 extensive than in Phrynocerus testudiniceps. 



The prominence of the superior labial border, and other points of physiog- 

 nomy, produced a peculiar grotesqueness in the expression of the animal, 

 which suggested the trivial name. The following diagnosis was offered : 



Supraorbital ridges very prominent, not crenate, presenting a posterior pro- 

 cess. Postorbital and supra-tympanic processes prominent, obtuse ; preorbital 

 straight, more acute. Canthus rostrales acute, converging so as to produce a 

 very acute angle ; their profile very declive, that of the muzzle more so, but 

 not perpendicular. Maxillary region oblique from a front view ; the labial 

 border forming a prominent rim, which is thickened and everted posteriorly. 

 Two occipital knobs on each side. Tympanum small, one-fourth or one-third 

 the length of the palpebral border in diameter. Paratoid gland small, rounded, 

 lateral, studded with warts ; the dorsal region is similarly studded, most 

 abundantly anteriorly. Sides, extremities and gular region covered with 

 smaller warts ; belly areolate. One large oval flat metacarpal tubercle ; a 

 large one at the base of the interior digit. Two metatarsal tubercles ; the 

 interior most elongate and acute, blackish brown. A short, thickened, internal 

 tarsal fold. Toes half-webbed, palm slightly rugose. 



Length from end of muzzle to tympanum 11 lines ; of antebrachium and 

 hand, 14 - 5 lines ; axilla to vent, 2 inches ; vent to end of fourth toe, 3 inches 

 1 line. 



The head is brown ; color elsewhere brownish yellow ; on the nape and sides 

 marbled with deep brown, somewhat oblique-longitudinally on the latter 

 region. Limbs cross-banded with brown. 



[August, 



