114 THE NATURAL HTSTOET EETIEW. 



Tongue oval or narrow oval ; vomerine teeth 



present or absent Crinia.* 



Characters are occasionally introduced into the above synopsis 

 which will not always be found to be generic or even specific, such 

 as some of the conditions of the xiphisternal cartilage and prefrontal 

 bones. The fontanelle probably disappears in very old specimens of 

 Cyclorhamphus fuliginosns, and it will perhaps be found to vary in 

 another genus ; among species of the same genus the condition in 

 this respect is generally the same. 



Batrachyla, in its strong cranium, arched front, and short muzzle, 

 resembles PitJiecopsis ; the prefrontals will probably be found to be 

 in contact and transverse, as in that genus. The parallelogrammic 

 fibro-cartilaginous basal xiphisternal piece resembles Cyclorhamplius, 

 and differs from Hylodes ; but the free toes and transverse processes 

 of the terminal phalanges separates it from the genera of Section IV. 



With the special structure of Plectromantis, Tarsopterus, and 

 IBlafyplectrum I am unacquainted. Strabomantis (Peters) has a 

 physiognomy between Ceratoplirys and JPitliecopsis, with digital 

 dilatations. 



The Australian genera of this family are Limnodynastes, JPlaty- 

 plectriim^ and Crinia. The others are Neotropical ; and none are 

 found in any other quarter of the globe. f Lhmiodynastes dorsalis 

 is interesting, as having the atlas and first vertebra confluent, and 

 in having the intervertebral fibro-cartilage not attached to its cen- 

 trum, sometimes as readily adhering to that posterior as that anterior 

 — the nearest approach to a biconcave type that is at present known 

 in the order. 



EANIFORMIA. 



This suborder, though represented by numerous types, is much 

 more homogeneous than any of the others, and constitutes but one 

 family, the 



EATs'IDiE. 



Sacral diapophyses cylindrical ; simple coccyx, attached by two 

 cotyloid cavities. Manubrium with a strong bony style ; the xiphi- 



• Includes Pterophryne R. & L., and CaviarioHus, Peters {vide Gunther, 

 Ann. Mag. N.H., 1864, p. 312). 



•j- Lwpehna, Fitz., the only New Zealand form known, possibly belongs here. 

 I am also unable to state the position of Ncobnfrachus, Peters, and Heiniphractus, 

 Wagler. 



