116 Strecker — A New Spadefoot ivith Other Herpetological Notes. 



The temporary pools on the flats were swarming witli 

 common toads, Itut the spadefoot, a single Lithodytcs latrans 

 Cope and a large smooth-skinned Ilj/la were found hopping 

 around among dead leaves a j'ard or more from the water. 

 Before reaching these pools I could distinguish the voices of 

 the common toad, the narrow-mouthed toad {Engj/stoma texense 

 Girard) and a spadefoot. If other specimens of the latter were 

 present they concealed themselves so effectually that I was 

 unable to discover them. 



This type of spadefoot must be exceedingly rave in Texas. 

 I have collected and examined hundreds of Scaphiopus in several 

 sections of the State, Init with the exception of the two above 

 mentioned, all have been specimens of S. couchli. 



I am fully satisfied after making careful comparisons between 

 mj'' specimens and examples of Scaphiopus hoi hrooki if roin North 

 Carolina that the Texan form is a distinct species. It requires 

 comparison only with the eastern spadefoot, from which it may 

 be distinguished by its more compact form, narrow head, blunt 

 muzzle, unusually high parotoids, smaller palmar tubercles and 

 shorter hind limbs. The sides, buttocks, tibia and posterior 

 portion of the abdomen are covered with tubercles instead of 

 being almost perfect)}' smooth. The tuljercles on the U])per 

 surfaces are more uniform in size. 



I dedicate this interesting species to Mr. Julius Hurter, the 

 well-known herpetologist of St. Louis, ^lissouri, in recognition 

 of his generosity and encouragement to me in my herpetological 

 studies. 



Scaphiopus hurterii sp. iiov. 



Plate II, figures 3 and 4. 



Type from Waco, Texa^ C^^4 miles east). No. 4179, Baylor Fuiversity 

 Collection. Adult nuile. April 1."., 1910. Collected by J. K. Strecker, Jr. 



Habitat. — Eastern half of Texas. 



Material. — One siicciiiicu from Kcfugio, Texas, in additinn to tlu> 

 type. 



Description. — Size medium. i.enj;th of liead and body, (i7 nun. Head 

 short, length al)out equal t<i widtii. ( In holbrookii the head at augle of 

 jaws is much wider tiian lung.) Snout heavy and l)hmt, nut exteuding 

 beyond the mouth. I'arotoids nearly round, higher aud ev(>n more con- 

 spicuous than in tlie eastern spei'ies. Tympajuiui distiuet l)ut rather 

 smaller tlian iu liolhrookii. (In tyin- iiardly more tliau lialf the diameter 

 of the parotoid.) Crown distinctly rugose. No black granules in space 

 between and in front of the eyes. Upper surfaces with small, closely .set 



