100 



BATRACHIA. 



color, whilst the latter has the upper region of the head and the dorsal 

 shield black. Should, however, no other differences be detected, one 

 might well object to look upon the coloration alone as constituting a 

 valid distinction between two species. The original of B. epldp- 

 pium has never been compared with the specimens described by the 

 French herpetologists who have written upon the subject since Spix. 

 The brevity of the descriptions of both Spix and Wagler do not afford 

 sufficient means of comparison between species. 



Such being the state of things, we have preferred to record the 

 specimens collected by the United States Exploring Expedition, under 

 the name of B. aurantlacus, the specific name of Cocteau, satisfied that 

 the further investigation of the question will be better subserved in 

 keeping apart what cannot be satisfactorily united. 



BRACHYCEPHALTJS AURANTIACUS, Grd. 

 (Plate V, figs. 20-24.) 



SPEC. CHAR. Tongue long and narrow. Sides of abdomen and origin 

 of the thighs beneath, glandulous. Color, uniform orange. 



SYN. Ephippiplier aurantiacus, COOT, in Guerin, Mag. de Zool. 1835, Cl. Ill, 

 Plate vn. 



DESCR. The general appearance of this species is that of a diminu- 

 tive toad. The head is flattened above and below, wedge-shaped, a 

 little broader than long, and forming about the third of the length of 

 the animal. The snout is rounded upon its extremity. The nostrils 

 are proportionally large, oblong, obliquely situated sideways, nearer the 

 extremity of the snout than the anterior rim of the eyes. The latter 

 are proportionally large, subcircular, occupying the whole space between 

 the maxillary and the upper surface of the head. Their diameter is 

 greater than the distance between their anterior rim and the extremity 

 of the snout. The interocular space is greater also than their diameter, 

 hence, proportionally quite large. The tympanum is hidden under the 

 skin. The mouth is of medium size, although its angles do not extend 

 as far back as the posterior rim of the eyes. The upper jaw and palate 

 are toothless. The inner nostrils are circular ; situated close to the 

 maxillary and the anterior part of the roof of the mouth. The open- 

 ings of the Eustachian tubes are quite small. The tongue is elon- 



