88 ON THE BE.EEDIKG OE THE SURINAM WATEE-TOAD. [Jan. 15, 



The Pipce were supplied first with bits of worms and subse- 

 quently with small fishes, and fed freely. They improved rapidly 

 in health and condition. 



On December 1st two of them were observed by the keepers to 

 be in copvld, one holding on. round the middle of the body of the 

 other. They remained in this position about 24 hours. After 

 they had separated it was noticed that the back of one of them 

 had become covered with spawn. The ova were very regularly 

 arranged in shallow pits or cells over the whole of the back and 

 appeared to be 80 or 90 in number. After this the ova seemed to 

 drop out gradually, so far as we could see by looking into the tank 

 without capturing the animal, and by December 20th had mostly 

 disappeared, leaving only three of the cells occupied by apparently 

 living embryos. These were situated in a nearly straight line 

 across the middle of the back, and were of a yellow colour — no 

 doubt from the large yolk-sac under which they lay. 



On January 3rd I thought it would be advisable to ascertain by 

 close examination the exact state of the matter. On that day 

 accordingly the Ptpa was caught and placed in a small glass of warm 

 water, in the presence of the Superintendent and Head-keeper 

 and two of the Keepers at the Eeptile-house. It was at once 

 apparent that only one cell now contained an embryo, of which 

 we could plainly see the heart beating. During the examination 

 the embryo fell out of the cell, and it being impossible to replace it 

 I had it placed in spirit, and now exhibit it. 



I thought it best to take the opportunity of having the Pipa 

 photographed, which was very successfully done by Mr. Briggs, 



I now exhibit copies of this photograph (see p. 87). 



I propose to place the embryo of the Pipa in our Prosector's 

 hands for fiu-ther examination and description. 



In conclusion I must record my best thanks to our Head-keeper, 

 Mr. Arthur Thomson, for his care of and attention to these Batra- 

 chians, and for the notes which he had supplied to me, and express 

 a hope that some of the other specimens will breed and fm-nish us 

 with more successful results. 



