182 BULLETIN 160, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



base; skin on throat, abdomen, and under surface of thighs coarsely 

 granulated. 



It has been reported that the eggs of this tree frog are deposited in 

 the axils of the leaves of Spanish beard (Tillandsia) , where they 

 undergo their whole metamorphosis. 



Specimens examined. — Six, as follows: 



Hylella sumichrasti 



> Cotypes. 



Family BREVICIPITIDAE Cope 



1867. Brevicipitidae Cope, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, n. s., vol. 6, pt. 2, 

 p. 191, Sept. 



Brevicipitid toads exhibit a great range of skeletal modification and 

 comprise one of the most interesting families of recent Salientia. Genera 

 referred to this family occur in Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia, 

 the Malay Archipelago, East Indies and New Guinea, as well as in 

 North, Central, and South America. Doctor Noble derives the 

 brevicipitid toads from the true frogs, Ranidae. Two genera, Hypo- 

 pachus and Gastrophryne, are represented by one or more species in 

 Mexico. They are generally known as narrow-mouthed toads, and 

 stomach examinations indicate that they depend upon ants for a 

 considerable portion of their food. They are largely nocturnal in 

 habit and are rarely observed, except during the breeding season, when 

 large numbers may be found congregated in some smaU pool of water. 



KEY TO MEXICAN BKEVICIPITIDAE 



1. Toes united at base by vestigial web; fingers free, not dilated at 

 tips; subarticular tubercles large, distinct; terminal phal- 

 anges simple; precoracoids present, but very small; no omo- 

 sternum; sternum cartilaginous; uuderparts dusky or dirty 

 white, either more or less marbled with brownish or with lighter 

 ground color showing through as spots; upperparts brown 

 or vinaceous, immaculate, or with darker markings; sides 

 anteriorly blackish brown, with rather sharply defined upper 

 and lower limits; hinder surface of thighs marbled with dark 

 brown or with coarse vinaceous vermiculations; a dark oblique 

 band across thigh and another across leg; a very narrow light 

 median line commencing at chin and extending backward to 

 chest; snout short, subacuminate, and moderately prominent; 

 nostrils nearly terminal; mandible with two symphyseal 

 notches, and a median knob; tongue flat, elongate; slits of 



