RANINAE 261 



of the abdomen are several regular transverse folds, the func- 

 tion of which is probably that of breathing organs, like the 

 tail of Hylodes. The tip of the snout is furnished with a 

 small conical protuberance projecting slightly through the 

 delicate envelope of the egg, and evidently used to perforate 

 that envelope. 



B. guppyi, likewise an inhabitant of the Solomon Islands, is 

 a giant among frogs. It was discovered by Mr. Guppy on the 

 Shortland Islands. The type-specimen measures 165 mm. = 6^ 

 inches in length ! The skin of the upper parts is covered with 

 minute warts, and forms a strong fold above the distinct, but 

 small, tympanum. General colour dark olive brown above, 

 dirty white below. 



B. tigrina is a common species of Eastern Asia, including 

 the Malay Islands. On account of the strength of its voice, 

 and its size, which is said to reach 7 inches, it is called the 

 " Indian Bullfrog." Mainly aquatic, it has a strong cutaneous 

 fringe along the outer side of the fifth toe. The skin of the 

 back is thrown into longitudinal folds, and a strong fold 

 marks the upper border of the tympanum. The general 

 colour above is olive brown, with dark spots, often with a light 

 vertebral line ; the under parts are white. The male has a pair 

 of large external vocal sacs. 



B. gracilis has the same distribution, but it remains much 

 smaller, and the toes are only half, instead of fully, webbed. 



B. catesbiana is now the settled name of the " Bullfrog " 

 of North America, the much more appropriate name of mugiens 

 having been sacrificed to the fetish of priority. The tympanum is 

 extraordinarily large, at least equal to the size of the eye, largest 

 in the male. The first finger does not extend beyond the second ; 

 the toes are connected by a broad web down to the ends, and 

 there is a small inner, but no outer, metatarsal tubercle. The 

 upper parts are olive brown, clouded with dark brown or blackish 

 spots ; the under parts are yellowish white, often marbled with 

 brown, especially on the throat. The iris is reddish, with an 

 outer yellow ring. The male possesses two internal vocal sacs. 

 Total length of adult specimens about 5 inches, but there are 

 giants on record 7 inches in length, while the stretched 

 hind -limbs measure another 9 or 10 inches. Its home ex- 

 tends over the whole of the United States, East of the 



