2654 



FROGS AND TOADS 



it with their fore-feet. The pairing season takes place in August, and the large 

 eggs are laid singly. The tadpoles, which at birth have already lost their external 

 gills, on the third day after leaving the eggs develop a pair of barbels hanging down 

 from the corners of the mouth. 



The second family, distinguished by the absence of teeth in both 

 jaws, is represented solely by the Surinam water toad {Pipa amcri- 

 cana}, which has long enjoyed a world-wide reputation, on account of 

 the very singular manner in which the eggs are lodged during the pe- 

 riod of their development. Agreeing with the spur-toed frogs in its circular pupil, 



Surinam 

 Water 

 Toad 



FEMALE SURINAM WATER TOAD, SHOWING YOUNG IN THEIR 

 (One-half natural size.) 



smooth palate, and absence of a tympanic membrane to the ear, the Surinam toad 

 has the extremities of the free front-toes dilated into radiating appendages, while 

 the fully-webbed hind-toes are devoid of nails. In form the head is triangular and 

 much depressed, with the eye minute, one or two short tentacles on the lip in front 

 of the eye, a large flap at each corner of the mouth, and sometimes a third at the tip 

 of the muzzle. The skin, which is covered with small tubercles, is olive brown or 

 blackish on the upper parts, while beneath it is lighter, being sometimes ornamented 

 with white spots, and at others with a black stripe down the middle line. 



