PREFACE. 



The object of this Catalogue is to give a description of all the species 

 of Tail-less Batrachians (Batrachia Salientia) in the Collection of the 

 British Museum, with an indication of their history and origin, and 

 an account of the species to be found in other Collections which are 

 desiderata to the National Museum. 



Dr. Giinther observes : — " The system according to which I have 

 arranged the Batrachia Anura in the Collection of the British Museum 

 differs in many respects from those hitherto employed. I have 

 explained, in a paper in the ' Proceedings of the Zoological Society,' 

 1858, p. 339, the reasons which have induced me to subordinate the 

 character of the maxillary teeth to that of the dilated or tapering 

 toes, in dividing the section Opisihoglossa. By so doing we obtain 

 two parallel series, in each of which corresponding members occur 

 in regular succession. I am not afraid of separating these animals 

 into too many famihes, and have estabhshed them even for one or two 



a2 



