cnAr. XIX.] liEPTILKS. 423 



regions is well shown in this group, by the Plnyniscidfe, 

 Hylidffi, and Discoglossidre, which present allied forms in botli ; 

 as well as by the genus Liopclma of New Zealand, allied to 

 the Bombinatoridte of South America, and the absence of the 

 otherwise cosmopolitan genus Rana from both continents. The 

 affinity of the Nearctic and Palrearctic regions is shown by the Pro- 

 teidce, which are confined to them, as well as by the genus Triton 

 and almost the whole of the extensive family of the Salaman- 

 dridie. The other regions are also well differentiated, and there 

 is no sign of a special Ethiopian Amphibian fauna extending 

 over the peninsula of India, or of the Oriental and Paliiearctic 

 regions merging into each other, except by means of genera of 

 universal distribution. 



Fossil Amphihia. — The extinct I-abyrintliodontia form a separ- 

 ate order, which existed from the Carboniferous to the Triassic 

 period. Xo other remains of this class are found till we reach 

 the Tertiary formation, when Newts and Salamanders as well 

 as Frogs and Toads occur, most frequently in the IVIiocene de- 

 posits. The most remarkable is the Andrias scheucJizeri from 

 the Miocene of CEningen, which is allied to Sicholdia maxima 

 the great salamander of Japan. 



