SCAPHIOPUS SOLITARIUS. 111 
GrocrapuicaL Disrrieution. Its range is more extended than I at first appre- 
hended. It is found in Carolina and Georgia. Dr. ‘Troost has sent me a specimen 
from Tennessee, and Dr. Dekay has observed it in the state of New York. 
Hasirs. This is a strange animal—an odd mixture of toad and frog, having 
the teeth of the one, and the rudimental post-tympanal glands of the other; it 
approaches, however, nearest the toad in its form and habits, as it never ventures 
in water except at the breeding season: it lives in small holes about six inches 
deep, excavated by itself in the earth, which for a long time I mistook for holes of 
insects; here it resides, like the ant-lion, seizing upon such unwary insects as may 
enter its dwelling. It never leaves its hole, except in the evening, or after long 
continued rains. It shows great dexterity in making this dwelling, sometimes 
using the nates, and fastening itself by the spade-like process; at others it uses the 
legs with these processes, like a shovel, and will in this way conceal itseif with 
great rapidity. In progression its motions are not very lively, and its powers of 
leapmg but feebly developed. It appears early in March, after the first heavy 
rains of spring, and at once seeks its mate. I have met them even in very cold 
weather, with snow on the ground. 
Generat Remarks. This animal is perhaps somewhat allied to the Cerato- 
phris of South America, which has teeth, the posterior extremities short, and the 
hind feet furnished with a movable unarmed tubercle. The Rana cultripes of 
Cuvier* would seem to be furnished with a process more nearly resembling that of 
our animal. 
The animals of the family Ranoidea delight in the sun, and may at all times be 
seen sitting half emersed in water, even when his rays are the most intense. 
They are all diurnal, or seek their food in the day time, with one exception only, 
the Scaphiopus solitarius, which passes its days in holes prepared by itself, and 
feeds on such insects as may unwarily enter its dwelling. 
* Cuvier, Regne Animale, tom. ii. p. 105. 
