Bufo Punctatus 



nent on the end of the muzzle, margin of the upper jaw, 

 canthus rostrahs, eyelid, parotoid gland, and bony ridge be- 

 tween the eye and ear. Sole tubercles both present and both 

 small. Tubercles under the joints of the toes scarcely dis- 

 cernible. Tarsus and foot covered with spine-like tubercles. 

 Webs short, but toes narrowly margined beyond. Tarsal fold 

 broad and rounded. (For structure, see Figs. 1 16 to 120.) 



Range: Bufo punctatus is reported from Texas, Arizona, and 

 Lower California. It is found in Texas from as far north as Fort 

 Concho and as far south as San Antonio. Its range extends 

 along the boundary line between the United States and Mexico to 

 the Pacific Ocean and up the Colorado River to the Grand 

 Canon and beyond. In Lower California it has been reported 

 from the extremity of the peninsula. 



Bufo punctatus is one of our most easily distinguished toads. 

 It has not the usual fat squat form of the toads, but is more slender, 

 and is rather delicately moulded, in fact. The hands and feet are 

 peculiarly small and delicate. The shape of the head and its 

 granular roughness are very distinctive features. Adult speci- 

 mens may be so small that they do not exceed Hyla versicolor in 

 size, or Hyla arenicolor, their companion in the ponds in May. 

 On the other hand, specimens from Lower California may be 

 large (3 inches) and may differ not only in size, but also in show- 

 ing a pattern of spots and stripes. The species is apparently 

 closely related to Bufo dehilis and Bufo valliceps. 



Dr. Stejneger gives the following colour description of speci- 

 mens collected in 1889 at the bottom of the Grand Caiion.' 

 "Above 'malachite-green,' densely speckled with small dots of 

 bright vermilion; limbs paler, dotted with vermilion and also 

 with minute black specks, which likewise occur on the flanks; 

 region surrounding nostrils black; upper lip and whole under sur- 

 face bluish white, irregularly speckled with black; posterior part 

 of belly and underside of thighs dark brownish flesh-colour; soles 

 dull orange." 



In captivity these toads make small burrows in moss or soft 



^ These specimens are similar to those collected in the region of the Little Colorado River 

 by Mollhausen. 



Ill 



