1915.| C. R. NARAYAN RAO: Some South Indian Batracha. 33 
Total length of ah 40 mm. 
Length of head and body 23 ae Sy Raita: 
Maximum width of body hv: ici, Oy Mim 
Do. depth do. bys sae te ify WELIaL 
Do. do. tail a S455, Or 1liii: 
Biological.—The period occupied by development in the 
aquarium is roughly twenty days, and it must also represent the 
time taken in nature. Mucrohyla like the other genera of the 
family Engystomatidae spawns in localities which dry up very 
soon, and the tadpoles are also otherwise exposed to attacks by 
ducks and geese. Rapid metamorphosis is apparently a provi- 
sion, in the case of these thoroughly terrestrial forms, for the 
preservation of the species. 
The larvae float on the surface and the highly contractile 
mouth is a character which they share in common with the other 
species, M. ornata, noticed by Capt. S. S. Flower and Mr. Fer- 
guson. The food of the tadpoles consists of small micro-organisms 
such as water fleas, Infusoria and Rotifers. The fine flagellum at 
the end of the tail is kept lashing the water. Assoon as the fore- 
limbs develop, the larvae leave the water and squat on the stones 
in the aquarium, and if these are removed they easily perish. 
The metatarsal tubercles are well-developed and the baby frogs 
with short stumpy tails use them in burrowing. The web which 
completely invests the toes in the larval stage atrophies when the 
tadpoles leave the water. 
Points of Difference. 
I shall next proceed to enumerate briefly the points in which 
I differ from Mr. Ferguson. 
(1) He remarks that the nostrils are nearer the eye than the 
end of snout. 
I make out in my specimens that the converse is true; 
the distance between the eye and the nostril is at least 
I} mm. greater than that between the nostrils and snout. 
(2) The spiraculum is described by him as being directed 
downwards and backwards. 
I notice that the spiracle is directed downwards and back- 
wards in the larvae of M. ornata in which the abdomen 
is laterally compressed; while in M. rubra, the body 
being dorso-ventrally depressed, the spiraculum opens 
backwards as a rule. 
(3) Again Mr. Ferguson observes that the spiraculum is close 
to the anus which also opens in middle line in the lower edge of 
the subcaudal crest. 
It is obvious that he mistakes the abdominal pore for the 
anus which for anatomical reasons cannot occupy that 
position. The anus, however, is normal in position be- 
tween the hind legs and is slightly sinistral. 
