SCAPHIOPUS SOLITARIUS. m 



Geographical Distribution. Its range is more extended than I at first appre- 

 hended. It is found in Carohna and Georgia. Dr. Troost has sent me a specimen 

 from Tennessee, and Dr. Dekay has observed it in the state of New York. 



Habits. This is a strange animal — an odd mixture of toad and frog, having 

 the teeth of the one, and tlie 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 bi'eeding 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 

 usuig 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 itself with 

 great rapidity. In progression its motions are not very lively, and its powers of 

 leaping 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. 



General 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, torn. ii. p. 105. 



