666 AUSTRALIAN BATRACHIA, 



four species have been founded only on variable or abnormal 

 specimens of H. ewingii. 



Mr Boulenger, with a series of only about seventeen specimens 

 for reference (10 from Tasmania, 1 from Melbourne, 4 from Aus- 

 tralia, and 2 of var. caUiscelis from King George's Sound), was 

 the first to recognise and allow for a considerable amount of 

 variation. His predecessors without exception had reported the 

 fingers of H. ewingii, even of Tasmanian specimens, to be free or 

 quite free. Steindachner and Keferstein had, however, only a 

 single specimen apiece from New South Wales, and in these it is 

 possible that the fingers were free. The French naturalists also 

 attached unnecessary importance to the presence or absence of 

 "tubercules cutan^s." The size of the tympanum in relation to that 

 of the eye is likewise variable. Mr. Boulenger made some neces- 

 sary allowances in these respects, and then proceeded to reduce 

 II. caUiscelis, Peters, to the rank of a colour-variety of H. ewingii. 

 These were important steps in the right direction. But Mr. 

 Boulenger had no specimens, except of the so-called fl. kreff'tii, 

 from New South Wales, otherwise he might, with advantage, 

 have gone even further, as I feel impelled to do as the result of 

 the examination of a fine series of more than one hundred speci- 

 mens from three colonies. 



Of seventeen Tasmanian specimens* all l>ut two have a quite 

 noticeable rudiment of web on the fingers, more pronounced in 

 some specimens than in others. The unwebbed portions may or 

 may not, or be partially fringed; if the fringe is present the rudi- 

 ment of web between two adjacent fingers, may become continuous 

 with it. Sometimes the rudiment of web between the 3rd and 



"■ Ten Tasmanian specimens of H. eiviugii from an unspecified locality, 

 kindly forwarded to me by Mr. Alex. Moi'ton, have not been taliea into 

 account. They were forwarded in a cardboard box, and were so crushed 

 and dried up in the mail bag in transit as to be for the most part irretriev- 

 ably spoilt as specimens. As far as I din judge they are very mucli like 

 the other Tasmanian specimens I have examined, and among them is one 

 which under more favourable circumstajices would have been a good 

 example of var. cani-sreHs. 



