RANA. 403 



frogs, young birds, &c. All the species are endowed with voice, which in the larger kinds 

 is so loud that they have obtained the denomination of Bull-frogs. The hind limbs are well 

 developed, and all have the toes webbed ; the web is extremely broad in some species, reaching 

 to the tips of the toes, and these frogs are enabled to jump along the surface of the water as 

 oxer the firm ground. All are eatable, and many species are brought to market in great 

 quantities. 



The Indian species are not numerous, but most of them are very rich in individuals ; they 

 may be distinguished as follows : — 



* The interdigital membrane reaches to the tip of the toes and is very broad, scarcely emarginate. 

 Lower jaw generally with a pair of fang-like prominences ; a light cross 



band between the eyes R. kuhlii, p. 404. 



Lower jaw without fangs ; the distance between vent and knee is less than 



one-half of the length of the body R. hexadactyla, ^. 4Do, 



Lower jaw without fangs; the distance between vent and knee is one-half 



of the length of the body R. cyanojMyctis, p. 406. 



** The interdigital membrane is broad, but emarginate, and does not extend to the extremity of the fourth toe. 

 Tympanum distinct ; vomerine teeth in two oblique series ; back with 



numerous short longitudinal folds R. tigrina, p. 407. 



Tympanum hidden ; a tubercular fold along each side of the back . . . R. liebigii, p. 407. 

 Tympaniim distinct; vomerine teeth in two short transverse series; a 



glandular fold along each side of the back R. esculenta, p. 408. 



*** Toes only half-webbed. 



Metatarsus with one tubercle ; an oblique brown band from the eye over 



the tympanum R. silvatica, p. 409. 



Metatarsus with two tubercles ; a dark triangular spot between the eyes . R. gracilis, p. 409. 



Several other Indian Mance have been described, but in so obscure a way that they cannot 

 be distinguished by the characters assigned to them, and it is very doubtful whether they will 

 prove to be really distinct : — 



Mr. Jerdon (Jouru. As. Soc. Beng. 1854, p. 531) mentions a Rana crassa, R. flavescens, R. agricola, 

 R. nilagirica, all from the peninsula of India : it is impossible to recognize these frogs from Mr. Jerdon's 

 notes. 



Mr. Blyth (Journ. As. Soc. Beng. 1855, xxiv. pp. 719 & 720) mentions two frogs from Pegu, which he 

 denominates Rana fusca and Rana altilabris. Another "common Calcutta species" is named Rana 

 assimilis by the same gentleman (in Kelaart, Prodr. Faun. Zeyl. Append, p. 48), but afterwards referred to 

 R. rittigera, "Wiegm. (Journ. As. Soc. Beng. xxiii. p. 731). 



Hallowell (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. 18G0, p. 504) describes three species of Rana from Hongkong, 

 viz. R. trivittata, R. nebulosa, and R. multistriata ; they also are so badly characterized that we cannot 

 decide whether they are really distinct from those known to us. The first is, perhaps, identical with 

 R. esculenta. 



Dr. Kelaart (Prodr. Faun. Zeyl. i. p. 192) characterizes a Ceylonese frog, which he names Rana newera- 

 ellia, as follows : — " Dark brown, nearly black ; indistinctly spotted at times. A pale medial line on the 

 back. Beneath pale brown or yellowish. About 4 inches long." 



3 F 2 



