COPE ON THE BATEACHIA SALIENTIA. 107 



less traceable, in allied genera. There are no arboreal types in 

 this family. 



ASTEEOPHETDID-a;. 



Yertebrse opisthocoelian (with one exception). Diapophysis of 

 sacrum dilated, of first coccygeal vertebra wanting ; the latter at- 

 tached by but one cotyloid ca^dty (except in one genus). Eibs none. 

 External metatarsi not separated for a web ; terminal phalanges con- 

 tinuous, simple. O. fronto-parietalia not strongly ossified medially, 

 but without fontanelle. Superior plate of the ethmoid well deve- 

 loped anteriorly. Ear perfectly developed. Xiphisternum a slender 

 osseous style (first two genera not examined). 



G-enera : Cryptotis, Grthr. ; AsteropTirys, Tsch. ; MegalopJirys , 

 Kuhl ; Xenophrys, Grthr. ; Leptohrachium, Tsch. 



The JBalceobatraohidcd differ from this family in the conversion of 

 their seventh, eighth, and ninth vertebral centra and diapophyses 

 into a sacrum, instead of the ninth only ; and in the osseous cover- 

 ing of the cavum tympani and tuba Eustachii. 



Cryptotis, the only Australian genus of the family, possesses two 

 sacral condyles for the articulation of the coccyx; it has a long 

 tooth-like process on the os dentale, similar to that seen in Bana 

 macrodon, and JR. huhlii. 



The other genera belong to the Malayan Islands, except Xeno- 

 ph^ys, which has only been found in the mountains of India.* 

 Leptobracliimn is remarkable as possessing procoelian vertebrae, 

 forming a point of affinity to the Scaphiopidce, especially to Pelodytes 

 ptmctatus. 



There are no arboreal forms known in this family. 



SCAPHIOPODID^. 



Vertebrae procoelian. No ribs or coccygeal diapophyses ; sacral 

 diapophyses dilated ; two condyles for the coccyx. External meta- 

 carpi bound together. Terminal phalanges continuous, conic. Ma- 

 nubrium weak, cartilaginous. 



In seven of the eight genera of this family the toes are webbed ; 

 in three there is no cavum tympani; in four there is a front o- 



* As Dr. Giinther informs me. 



