INTRODUCTION TO SALIENTIA. 



The Salientia, or leaping Amphibians, differ 

 from the Caudata in the fact that the adults lack 

 a tail. There are several suborders of this group 

 recognized, but for practical purposes it may be 

 divided into two groups (Superfamilies) each con- 

 taining a number of smaller groups or families, 

 each of which is descended from a common ances- 

 tor. The two major groups are: 



1. ARCIFERA. Two halves of shoulder 

 girdle (coracoids and precoracoids) overlap in 

 front so that the chest is capable of expansion. 



This group contains the toads, some of the 

 tree frogs, and other families. One family, the 

 Discoglossidae (of which the only North Ameri- 

 can representative is Ascaphus truei)/is considered 

 to represent a separate suborder (Linguata), ap- 

 proaching the salamanders in the possession of 

 ribs and other detailed characters of the skeleton. 



2. FIRMISTERNIA. Two halves of shoul- 

 der girdle meet in front and unite (coracoids and 

 epicorocoid cartilage) , so that the chest is not capa- 

 ble of expansion. 



Includes the frogs and the Engystomids in 

 North America. 



The skin of the various Salentia secretes poi- 

 son, which is useful as a protection against ene- 

 mies. The frogs and toads are extremely useful ani- 

 mals as they destroy an enormous amount of nox- 

 ious insects. Salientia have a world wide distribu- 

 tion. There are many species, of which 75 inhabit 



