TADPOLES FROM SIAM, 271 



Dimensions. Total length 50-57 mm. ; head and body, 16. 

 Megalophrys montana Kuhl. 



Mnx 'Weber, Ann, Janlin Dot. Bnitenzor?, Supp. II, p. 5 (1898) ; 

 Lftidlaw, P. Z. S , 1900, p. f89: OaLlow, Amphibia and Reptiles 

 (Canibiidge Nat. Hist.) pp. 59, (1901); Bonlenir., Faseic. Malay., 

 Zool., I, p. 132 (19031; Annandale, Faseio. Malay., Zool.. Pt. II, 

 p. 275 (190.3) ; id. Ree. Ind. Mn^., VIII, p. 30 (1012) ; id. Mera. 

 As. Soo. Bengal, VI, p. 154, pi. VI (1917) ; Van Kampen, Webers 

 Zoolng. Ergebn.. Bd. IV p 409 (1907) ; id. Natnnr. Tijdsth. Ned.- 

 Ind, LXtX. p. 27 (190a). 



This species is widelj' distributed throughout Siani. and I have 

 obtained the tadpoles on many of the hills. At the end of February 

 this year I found them in plenty on Doi Nga Chang (N. Siam), at about 

 1000 metres, and not only had I abundant ojiportunities of observing 

 them there under natural conditions, but also succeeded in bringing 

 some living specimens down to Bangkok and keeping them until their 

 metamorphosis was completed. 



The amount of discussion which has centred round the function 

 of the curious mouth of this tadpole, can be judged from the literature 

 quoted above, and as my observations extended over a considerable 

 period, I have added them to those already recorded by other natura- 

 lists. They were made almost daily for nearly four months. 



The conclusion that 1 came to with regard to the " funnel " was, 

 that its chief, and possibly its sole, function, was to enable the creature 

 to obtain its food, much in tlie same way as the membranous lip of the 

 tadpole of Microhi/la achatina, which I described in a previous number 

 of this Journal (antea p. 37). 



Watching them feed in their native pools, one could see the 

 " funnel '" pulsating with the sucking action set up by the creature, 

 and one could see too how all small particles of matter floating down 

 the stream, that happened to come within range of the current thus 

 set up, were drawn towards the mouth and swallowed. And no doubt 

 many other minute particles, not visible to the naked eye, were de- 

 voured in this way. The same performauce could be demonstrated in 

 captivitj', by shaking the dust of decaying vegetable matter upon the 

 water where they were feeding. The so-called " teeth " appeared to 

 act as a filter, by holding up particles that were too largo for assimila- 

 tion. Every now and again the creature would reverse its sucking 

 action, and spit away these undesirable frngments. 



VOL II, mx". I"." 17. 



