306 



RANID.E. 



pearance through swelling with lymph, which pro- 

 duces a cloudy, bluish tinge on the upper parts and 

 on the throat, the latter region being sometimes quite 

 blue, sharply contrasting with the white or pale 

 vellow of the abdomen. 



a/ 



Measurements (in millimetres). 



Variations. — Apart from the description of indi- 

 vidual variations, which, as we have seen, are very 

 considerable in this species, attempts have been made 

 to distinguish a broad-snouted and a sharp-snouted 

 variety, to which Fatio has given the names of brevi- 

 rostris and acutirostris. This distinction cannot be 

 upheld, as we find the two forms occurring pro- 

 miscuously, and the prognathism affecting only young 

 or half-grown specimens. The only form which 

 appears to be entitled to varietal distinction is the 

 Spanish var. parvipalmata, which is constantly dis- 

 tinguished by a shorter web, as we have seen above, 



