Cope.] IS^ I Dec. 19, 



Paludicola ranina, sp. nov. 



Metatarsal tubercles, two ; minute. A subround inguinal gland. Skin 

 of back with delicate folds, viz., a straight dorsolateral and a median pair, 

 which approach each other above the scapuhB, then diverge, then approach 

 in front of the sacrum, and then diverge and disappear. Numerous short 

 plicoj and narrow warts on each side of the coccyx ; superior surfaces of 

 posterior legs with smaller warts. Toes slender, free, with narrow dermal 

 margins. Abdomen with a circular fold. Form of head and body rather 

 elongate, legs not long, feet long ; heel of extended hind leg reaching to 

 middle of orbit. Tympanic disc faint or invisible, forming a vertical oval, 

 whose long diameter is a little more than half that of the eye-fissure. The 

 muzzle is acuminate, and is a little longer than the long diameter of the 

 eye. The profile descends to the end of the muzzle, which is narrowed, 

 but not prominent. Nostrils nearly terminal. Tongue pyriform, entire. 

 When the fore limb is extended, the wrist reaches the end of the muzzle. 

 First finger shorter than second ; third quite long. 



Length of head and body, M. .028 ; of head to posterior line of tympana, 

 .009 ; width of head at the same, .0095 ; length of fore limb, .018 ; of fore- 

 foot, .008 ; of hind limb, .045 ; of hind foot, .017. 



The color varies from brown to gray above. A black band passes from 

 the orbit to the level of the abdomen, its abdominal border extending from 

 the axilla three-quarters way to groin. A black line on inferior edge of 

 canthus rostralis. Lip from this band to the postorbital band, with numer- 

 ous light-brown striae extending downwards and backwards. Inguinal 

 gland with a round black spot, with some pale-brown lines concentric to 

 it in front and below. A brown band between superciliary edges, and a 

 T-shaped brown mark on top of muzzle. Middle line between dermal 

 pliciB brown, generally with a pale brown spot at their point of expansion. 

 A light-brown band extends from this brown space posteriorly and down- 

 wards on each side. Other brown shades on the lateral dorsal region. In 

 some of the specimens some of these markings of the upper surfaces are 

 wanting. Below straw color, thickly speckled with reddish-brown every- 

 where, excepting on the posterior abdominal and subanal regions. Legs 

 with brown cross-band, with narrow pale edges, two on the tibia, very ob- 

 lique. Concealed posterior face of femur, brown with pale speckles. 



This species is apparently abundant at Sao Joao do Rio Negro. The 

 smaller specimens are often darker colored, have more numerous dorsal 

 plicae, and have four dorsal, brown, longitudinal bands. It agrees with 

 the genus Paludicola as I have defined it (under the name of Gomphobates 

 R. & L), in the absence of frontoparietal fontanelle, the non-union of the 

 prefrontal bones, and the osseous xiphisternum with narrow bifurcate 

 cartilage. 



In my estimation, Mr. Boulenger has united two, and perhaps four, 

 genera, in his revision of Paludicola (Catal. Batr, Salientia, Brit. Mas., 

 1882, p. 229). I have distinguished these genera as follows : 



