274 



FROGS AND TOADS. 



that the two groups form parallel or representative series ; but it must always be 

 remembered that it is only an assumption that the conformation of the bones of the 

 chest is the character of primary import ; and that it is quite possible that there 

 may have been parallelism in this case also, in which event the present family 

 would have to be placed next the true frogs. The present family is confined to the 

 countries mentioned above, and is represented by twenty-five genera and some one 

 hundred and eighty species. While most of the American forms have the pupil of 

 the eye vertical, this condition occurs but rarely in those from Australia. 



Horned Frogs. 



SOLOMON ISLAND SHARP-NOSED FROG (liat. size). 



Among the best known representatives of the family are the 

 horned frogs, or horned toads (Ceratophrys), remarkable alike for 

 their large size and brilliant coloration, as well as for the enormous dimensions of 

 their mouths and their fierce and carnivorous habits. Represented by about half 

 a score of species from Tropical and South America, they belong to a group charac- 

 terised by the more or less marked union of the outer metatarsals, the absence of a 

 bony stjde to the breast-bone, and the webbing of the hind-toes ; while, as a genus, 

 they are distinguished by the horizontal position of the pupil and the notching of 

 the tongue. The webbing of the toes varies in extent in the different species, but 



