BOMBINATOK. 149 



The skin of the upper parts produces an acrid 

 secretion, very similar to that of the crested newt, 

 fresh-caught specimens becoming covered with white 

 froth when handled ; and this exudation causes great 

 irritation to our mucous membranes, fits of sneezing 

 and running of the eyes being the usual consequence 

 of simply looking into the bag in which the captives 

 are being brought home. When surprised on land, 

 and unable to escape in the water, this Batrachian, 

 in common with its congener B. pachypus, makes 

 ridiculous contortions, ultimately feigns death, and 

 concavely bending its spine turns up the head and 

 hind part of the body, as well as the limbs which 

 are folded over, thus exposing the brilliantly coloured 

 lower surfaces ; at the same time covering its eyes 

 with its hands as if not to see the danger. 



Eggs. — The vitellus measures about 2 mm. in 

 diameter ; the upper hemisphere is dark brown, the 

 lower yellowish-white. There are two gelatinous 

 capsules, the outer of which measures 7 or 8 mm. 

 in diameter. The eggs being laid singly or in small 

 groups of seldom more than ten at intervals of several 

 hours, the exact number produced by one female has 

 not yet been ascertained with absolute certainty, but 

 appears to be from 80 to 100 for each brood. The 

 embryo escapes from its envelop after a week in a 

 more advanced condition than Discoglossus, provided 

 with small external gills and a well-developed tail, and 

 more or less distinctly striped as in that of Alytes. 



Tadpole (PI. I, fig. 2). — Length of body once and 

 one-fourth to once and one-third its width, two- thirds 

 to four-fifths the length of the tail. Eyes on the 

 upper surface of the body, the distance between them 

 twice and a half to three times as great as that 

 between the nostrils, equal to or slightly less than the 

 width of the mouth. Spiraculum in the mid-ventral 

 line, nearer the posterior than the anterior extremity 

 of the body. Anal opening median, much larger than 

 the spiraculum. Tail twice to twice and a half as long 



