4 University of Michigan 



Dendrobatcs baccatiis Cope, and Dendrohates trhnttatiis Spix, 

 but the observations are so incomplete that it is impossible to 

 determine if the habit serves the same purpose, or is even 

 the same in detail, in the different species. For none of the 

 forms have we complete information as to place of egg deposi- 

 tion, sex of the nurse, number of tadpoles, stage at which the 

 tadpoles are taken up by the nurse, method of attachment of 

 tadpoles to nurse, and stage at which the tadpoles leave the 

 nurse. The observations upon P. siibpilctatiis are also incom- 

 plete, but it is believed that from them may be drawn the con- 

 clusion that the eggs are laid on the land (possibly but not 

 probably, in the opinion of the writers, placed upon the back 

 of the male) and the male remains with them. At an early 

 stage the tadpoles attach themselves to the male and are car- 

 ried to the water, where they leave the nurse frog and complete 

 their metamorphosis. 



The following description of the tadpole has been pre- 

 pared by the junior writer on the basis of thirty-one specimens 

 from nurse frogs and six from pools. 



L/Cngth of body of specimens from nurse frog 12 mm. ; 

 width 3 mm. ; length of tail 8 mm. ; depth 2 mm. Length of 

 body of largest specimen from pool 20 mm. ; width 5 mm. ; 

 length of tail 13 mm.; depth 31/2 mm. Nostrils equidistant 

 between end of muzzle and eye; distance between them slightly 

 smaller than interocular space. Spiraculum half way between 

 end of snout and anus. 



Body distinct from tail, muzzle rounded. Eyes small, on 

 upper surface of body. Spiraculum sinistral, small, in large 

 specimens visible from above and below. Anal opening dextral, 

 in muscular part of tail. Tail pointed. Crests scarcely visible 

 near the body, posteriorly widening and becoming convex. 

 Lines of crypts indistinct. 



Lower lip and sides of mouth bordered by papillae. Beak 



