88 U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 288 



descriptions we judge that our specimen at hand differs in three 

 respects: dorsolateral stripes; dorsolateral folds; and dark on the 

 posterior face of the thighs, with light markings arranged in the form 

 of a narrow stripe. The dorsolateral stripes are quite distinct and the 

 way they pass through the groin and onto the anterior surfaces of the 

 thigh and shank is unique among the frogs known to us. The dorso- 

 lateral folds are narrow and sharp and, on gross examination, seem to 

 lack the glandular structure such as one finds in Rana, for example, 

 but they are too uniform and symmetrical to permit us to believe that 

 they are merely artifacts of preservation. The type is described as 

 having the groin and hinder surfaces of the thighs orange with black 

 spots. In the specimen from Colombia, the groin is dark except for the 

 dorsolateral stripe that passes through it and the hind surface of the 

 thigh is likewise black except for the narrow stripe formed by confluent 

 light markings. 



The specimen from Colombia has been rather grossly dissected and 

 we cannot now find any sign of an omosternum such as is illustrated 

 by Parker (1934a, fig. 46). The condition of the girdle, however, does 

 not permit us to state categorically that one was never present for a 

 small one such as Parker illustrates may well have been inadvertently 

 removed in the process of cleaning the girdle. Hence, like Dunn (1949) 

 and Carvalho (1954) we cannot confirm the presence of an omosternum 

 in this genus. 



Specimens Examined 

 COLOMBIA 



Amazonas: Lower Rfo Apaporis, FM 89. 

 VENEZUELA: Arabop6, MZUM 85137 (photograph). 



Suborder PROCOELA 



Vertebral column procoelous, although sometimes free inter- 

 vertebral disks are formed. Pectoral girdle usually arciferal, with 

 posteriorly projecting epicoracoid horns always present. Epicoracoids 

 sometimes more or less fused. Urostyle articulates with sacral vertebra 

 by a double condyle (sometimes urostyle and sacrum are fused). 

 Ribs never present. 



Family Pseudidae 



Each digit possessing an extra phalanx. Sacral diapophyses cylin- 

 drical. Maxillary teeth present. Thumbs opposable to other digits. 

 Reproduction aquatic; eggs are laid in a frothy mass. In Pseudis 

 paradoxa the tadpole may be nearly four times the length of adult. 



