126 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. 



of the femora; they are bordered above by a sinuous band of inter- 

 rupted elongate dark spots, and below by a wider continuous dark band, 

 which in front passes immediately over the fore legs, through the eye 

 and around the snout, where it unites with its fellow of the opposite 

 side. Two dark bands cross the tibia. The throat of adult males is 

 bluish black. The colors vary with age and, to some extent also, at the 

 will of the animal. Older examples are darker, and the markings are 

 in them more obscure. The characteristic markings are consequently 

 more apparent on medium-sized specimens because of the paler color 

 and consequent greater contrast betv/een it and the dark marks. A 

 black spot over the vent. (Garman.) 



Size. — Length of head and body 36 mm.; from tip of snout to axilla 

 13 mm.; femur 13 mm.; tibia 12 mm.; tarsus and fourth toe together 

 20 mm. 



Habitat. — South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, westward 

 to Texas, north into Missouri and southern Illinois. Mis- 

 souri localities: — St. Louis and Butler Counties. 



Habits. — Engystoma carolinense looks very different 

 from any of our typical frogs and toads. Its tiny head 

 with dark bead-like eyes seems wholly out of proportion to 

 its relatively large, squat body. It resembles more a little 

 turtle, particularly when in the specimen the fold of the 

 skin behind the eyes is present. The Carolina Toad is 

 very quick, even with its short legs, it proceeds by short 

 rapidly given jumps. Generally it is found under logs, 

 with only its head sticking out of the ground, in marshy 

 places. In spring when mating it goes to the water in 

 stagnant pools. When floating in the water, only the tip 

 of its pointed head is out of the water, so that on approach 

 of danger it can disappear beneath without leaving a 

 ripple on the surface. Its habits are entirely nocturnal. 

 Its call is said to sound like the noise made by an electric 

 buzzer. When kept in captivity the male sings almost 

 continually. A throat pouch which extends backward to 

 a line between the insertion of the arms, is inflated during 

 the call. 



In my early collecting days I discovered three in one 

 day under rocks on the southern exposure of a hill-side 

 at Cliff Cave, St. Louis County. I have never again 



i 



