KANA. 



295 



which dissolves much more rapidly than in B. tem- 

 poraria, 7 or 8. These eggs number from 1000 to 

 2000 according to Heron-Royer ; I have counted 

 1829, 1518, and 1029 ; they form one, or rarely two 

 large balls, which do not float as in B. temporaries. 

 The vitelline sphere is black above and whitish below ; 

 the white may be restricted to one-third of the surface 



Fig. 107. 



or extend over nearly the whole of the lower half; I 

 have, however, observed egg-masses of this species in 

 which the white lower spot was much reduced, nothing 

 but the smaller size distinguishing them from those of 

 B. temporaria. The embryo on emerging is blackish- 

 brown, and provided with branched external gills, which 

 are smaller than in B. temporaria and less strongly 

 pigmented. 



Tadpole (PI. Ill, fig. 2). — Intermediate between 

 B. esculenta and B. temporaria. In its labial dentition 

 it agrees with the former, the series of teeth being" 

 usually f , sometimes f , when a third very short series 

 is present on each side of the upper lip. Beak whitish, 

 narrowly edged with black. Interocular space about 

 once and a half the distance between the nostrils, 

 which equals or slightly exceeds the width of the 

 mouth. Tail pointed, rarely somewhat obtuse, once 

 and two-thirds to twice the length of the bodv, its 

 depth about one-third its length ; depth of the muscular 

 part not quite half the greatest total depth. Lines of 

 muciferous crypts distinct, disposed as in B. agilis. 



