COPE ON THE BATEACHIA SALIENTIA. 119 



The relations of the prefrontal and ethmoid bones are very various 

 in this group, and especially in the genus Hana^ furnishing us with 

 illustrations of most of the types found throughout the order, which 

 are usually characteristic of higher groups. The names of the faunae 

 in the accompanying Table (p. 118) refer to the species of Ranidce, 

 Group lY. 



A coincidence between the condition of these prefrontal bones 

 and the regions inhabited by the genus Bana is evident, as well as a 

 certain succession in the latter ; Neotropical first, Paheotropical last. 



The Cystignatliidce, occupy nearly the territory which is want- 

 ing in Manidce, just as Marsupialia do not trench on the domains of 

 the Insectivora. This family possesses in its arciferous type of 

 sternum one which may be called lower than that of the Eaniformia, 

 i.e. less specially peculiar and divergent among tailless Batrachia, as 

 compared with that of other reptiles. In its family capacity its often 

 undeveloped fronto-parietal bones are also an element of inferiority. 

 See then the distribution of its genera as regards these peculiarities. 



a. Fontanelle. 

 Prefrontals little developed . . Group VII. . . . Australian. 



Groups YI. & Y. Australian and 

 S. Neotropical. 

 Prefrontals much developed . Cyclorhamphus . . South and Middle 



Neotropical. 

 aa. No fontanelle. 

 Prefrontals little developed Groups II. & III. Neotropical in gen. 

 Prefrontals much developed* Group I North Neotropical. 



The least-developed Australian ; the most, so those nearest to the 



Nearctic. 



As regards the fronto-parietal fontanelle, which has not hitherto 

 been looked upon as an important character, it may be said it does 

 not exist in any species of the ' Hegio Palaeotropica :' the Australian 

 representatives of the various families always possess it, excepting 

 where it is wanting in those families elsewhere. As the nearest ap- 

 proach to an exception to the latter statement, the genus Litoria, 

 among the Sylidce, may be examined. I have found the fontanelle 

 closed in an old specimen of L. aurea, and nearly so in L. jaclcsoni- 

 ensis and L. punctata. This form is throughout the least specialized 

 in this family in the direction of Hyline peculiarities. 



* One species only ( Calyptocephalus gayi)^ inhabiting the western slope of the 

 Andes, extends into ChiU. 



