380 Dr. W. B. Carpenter on the Polytremata. 



single tubercle. Fingers not webbed; toes broadly webbed. 

 Disks well developed. The length of the body equals the 

 distance of the vent from the heel. Upper parts of a greenish 

 white, with small black or brownish specks irregularly disposed; 

 hinder part of the thigh not coloured ; lower parts white. 



Two specimens, presented by W. Ferguson, Esq., F.L.S. ; 

 the larger is 26 millims. long, the hind limb being 40 millims. 



Ixalus hypomelas. 



Snout not flattened, of moderate length, somewhat rounded 

 in front, with distinct canthus rostralis, and with the loreal 

 region subvertical. Eye of moderate size ; tympanum hidden. 

 Skin smooth. Metatarsus without fringe or fold, and with a 

 single tubercle. Fingers not webbed ; web of the hind foot 

 rudimentary. Disks rather small. The length of the body is 

 scarcely equal to the distance of the vent from the heel. Colo- 

 ration varies : the most characteristic form is chocolate-brown 

 above, with the sides and lower parts black, spotted with white ; 

 a fine white line runs along the middle of the back and of the 

 abdomen, beginning from the snout, the abdominal line being 

 frequently crossed by another white line, running from one 

 fore leg to the other ; metatarsus with a white line along its 

 outer margin. All or some of these lines may be absent. 

 Sometimes the upper parts are dark pui-plish (the snout being 

 of a lighter colour) or pm-plish grey mottled with brown. In 

 one variety, in which all the white lines are absent, the upper 

 part of the snout as well as of the forearm is of a uniform 

 greyish-white colour. 



The largest of several specimens is 22 millims. long, the 

 hind limb being 35 millims. We have received specimens of 

 this species in Col. Beddome's and ]Mr. Ferguson's col- 

 lections. 



XL. — Remarks on Mr. Carter^s Paper " On the Polytremata, 

 especially loith reference to their Mythical Hybrid Nature^ 

 By William B. Carpenter, M.D., F.R.S. 



Having been prevented by absence on the Continent from 

 perusing Mr. Carter's paper at the time of its publication, I 

 take the earliest opportunity in my power of expressing the 

 great interest with which I have read it, and my entire con- 

 currence in that part of it which relates to the " mythical hy- 

 brid nature of Carpenteria.^'' It was scarcely to be expected 

 that when I first drew attention to the singularly aberrant 



