BOMBINATOR. 



157 



the sacrum or in the presence of two sacral diapo- 

 physes, the second of which is produced by enlarge- 

 ment of the process at the base of the nrostyle, and 

 connected distally with the one in front of it by a 

 common cartilaginous epiphysis. Both Camerano 

 (loc. cit.) and Howes (' Proc. Anat. Soc. Gr. Brit.,' 

 1890, p. xvi) have recorded a curious anomaly similar 

 to that observed by Lataste in an AJytes obstetricans : 

 the sacral process on the right side is normal, whilst 

 that on the left side is formed by the tenth vertebra, 

 or base of the urostyle. The latter bone is sometimes 

 provided with two processes on each side instead of 

 one. I have examined a specimen from Amboise, 

 preserved in M. Lataste's collection, which is re- 

 markable for having nine prsesacral vertebra?, and 

 perfectly normal sacral vertebra and urostyle. 



Measurements of Skeleton (in millimetres). 



Habits. — B. pachypus has much the same habits as 

 its congener, but is less particular in the choice of the 

 localities. Any sort of pools, warm or cold, clear or 

 dirty, with or without vegetation, even the merest 

 puddles, appear a satisfactory resort to this livery 

 little Batrachian, which may be heard in spring and 

 summer uttering its low and mournful note, hoo, hoo. 

 This sound is often produced by large numbers in a 

 small pool exposed to the full rays of the sun. Pairing 

 takes place two or three times in the year, and spawn 

 is mostly found from the end of May to the middle 



