On the Decdopinent of Poli/jjes and of their Polijjjary. 39 



Amphibians. 



The amphibious animals are worse represented even than 

 the reptiles, one species of" frog [Llopelma Ilochstetteri) being 

 the only member of the class. This frog has now been found 

 in three distinct localities, all, however, in the province of 

 Auckland : these are, the Cape Colville ranges from Coro- 

 mandel to Puriri, the Huia on the north side of the Manukau 

 harbour, and the mountains behind Opotiki in the Bay of 

 Plenty. It belongs to a genus not found elsewhere ; but its 

 nearest ally is Tehnatohius perKiuaiius from Peru, and it should 

 be remembered that the frogs of Australia are also allied to 

 South-American forms. It is evident that the absence of 

 other Batrachians cannot be accounted for by the unsuitability 

 of climate or want of food ; for the common green frog of 

 Australia [Liter ia aurea), which has been introduced, has 

 spread with great rapidity around both Auckland and Christ- 

 church. 



The evidence of the reptiles, therefore, is that New Zealand 

 has had land communication with some of the Pacific islands 

 at a later date than with Australia ; for in the first case there 

 is no specific difference between forms found in both places, 

 while in the latter the species are now quite distinct. Our frog 

 proves a connexion with South America at a period so remote 

 that changes have since taken place of generic value. 



[To be continued.] 



VII. — On the Development of the Polypes and of their Poly par y . 

 By M. H. de "Lacaze-Duthieks.* 



Last summer the Academy requested the Minister of Marine 

 to peraiit ray embarkation on board the 'Narval,' which was 

 then occupied in completing the hydrography of the Algerian 

 coasts. I\Iy object in undertaking this voyage was to study 

 again the coral banks, the richness of which I had previously 

 ascertained in 1860, 1861, and 1862. 



During the voyage I have had the opportunity of collecting 

 observations, the results of which, indicated in short notes, do 

 not seem to have been accepted in France. I have been able 

 to verify afresh the facts which I am now going to publish in 

 detail, and I think that I ought first of all to communicate 

 these results to the Academy. 



I refer now to the development of polyparies. 



* Translated by W. S. Dallas, F.L.S., from the ' Comptes Rendus/ 

 November 24, 187;}, pp. 1201-1207. 



