110 BUFO aUERCICUS. 



of this longitudinal line is an oblong black spot, extending from it to include most 

 of the posterior part of the orbit of the eye; a small part only of the orbit in front 

 of this is light coloured; the upper jaw is light brown. The back of the animal 

 is dusky-brown, with a vertebral line of pale yellow, marked with a few scattered 

 small warts of reddish-brown colour; on each side of this line are irregular black 

 blotches, with here and there a slight tinge of reddish-brown; the back is covered 

 with innumerable warts and granulations, of variable size and colo.ur, generally 

 black, but the smaller ones of dusky-red; on each flank, and extending from the 

 axilla downwards towards the posterior extremity, is an oblong black blotch, 

 bounded with white both above and below. The throat is dusky; the abdomen 

 silver-grey, yellowish at the groins, and with a pale tinge of yellow around the 

 vent. The anterior extremities, as well as the posterior, are dusky-brown 

 above, marked with black transverse bars or spots; their inferior surface is 

 coloured like the abdomen, except the fingers and toes, which are reddish-brown. 



Dimensions. Length of the animal from the snout to vent, three-fourths of an 

 inch; length of thigh, 5 lines; length of leg, 5 lines; length of tarsus and toes, 6i 

 lines. 



Habits. This beautiful little species of toad is mostly found about sandy 

 places that are covered with a small species of oak, which springs up so abun- 

 dantly where pine forests have been destroyed; whence it is commonly enough 

 called the oak frog; which specific name I have preferred. It spends most of 

 its time in concealment under fallen leaves or partially buried in the sand, from 

 which it is washed out by heavy rains. In the breeding season they seek out 

 stagnant pools, where they deposit their spawn; during which time the male 

 makes a slight chirp not unlike some kinds of insects. 



Geographical Distribution. As yet the range of this animal seems very 

 limited: I have only found it near Charleston in South Carolina, and at Smith- 

 ville in North Carolina; further observation will doubtless prove its existence in 

 other states. 



