THEANOURA OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 



By PHiLtP Cox, Ph. D. 



The absence of a monograph on the Frogs. Toads, and Tree 

 Toads from the natural history literature of the province is the 

 only apology for the appearance of this paper. Beyond record- 

 ing the occvirrence of all the families and species known here, 

 with brief notes on their distribution in the Maritime Provinces 

 and Gaspe peninsula, P. Q., it will be found to contain little 

 else, except observations on their color, size,and rugosity, togeth- 

 er with some comparisons intended to illustrate the general in- 

 fluence of climatic conditions. The short summer, long and 

 severe winter, and protracted period of hibernation are here as- 

 sociated with slight differences, such as a more extensive mott- 

 ling of inferior surfaces, less regularity in size and form of spots 

 deemed specific, and greater roughness of skin ; — variations from 

 acknowledged type characters, so marked and general as to sug- 

 gest a necessary connection between them and environment. 

 However, this divergence is not confined to the Salientia alone, 

 but is well marked among the Urodela, especially the increased 

 mottling of the under parts. 



As far as the writer's observation extends, the more aquatic 

 species exhibit the greatest variation, due in a measure, perhaps, 

 to the stock of river systems overlapping and commingling less 

 freely than is the case with terrestrial forms, thus intensifying 

 and rendering more constant any tendency to variation due to 

 local causes. 



Of the seven or eight families of the order found in North 

 America, but three are here represented, of which the Eanida 

 are the best known, as their size and habits render them easy and 

 attractive objects of study ; yet it is by no means certain that al! 

 the species and subspecies of the family, actually occurring here, 

 liave been detected. Climatic and phylogenetic consideraiions 

 would seem to render the occurrence of R. cciritabrigent^ls Eaird 

 very probable ; and R. iilvdtica Le Conte presents such an arrny 

 of constant variations as would justify the addition of another 

 subspecies \o the list of the batrachinns of Isorth America. 



'ihc I;uf(>n:('a' is likc'v limited to a tinirle, liut verv vaiiali'e. 



