532 MR. D. W. DEVANESEN ON THE 



observed regarding G. globulosus that it was due to a certain 

 fluid contained in the abdominal cavity and the extraordinary 

 development of the ovaries in the female. But Pearson (7) 

 remarks as follows : — " Giinther states that this distension is 

 caused by a fluid contained in the abdominal cavity. A brief 

 examination shows that this is not thecase, and that the fluid- 

 containing cavity is none other than the sub-cutaneous lymph- 

 sinuses which are greatly enlarged in ^ this form. The dorsal 

 sinus is especially spacious, and has a height of 15 mm. from 

 floor to roof. (The length of the frog from mouth to vent is 

 75 mm.) 



" In Giinther's account he speaks of the distension of a female 

 specimen being due to the growth of the ovaries, and his descrip- 

 tion suggests that the ovaries grow into the large cavity on the 

 back. This is not possible, as the sub-cutaneous lymph-sinuses 

 are separate from the coelom. There is only one other species in 

 this genus, namely Cacopus systoma, which differs but slightly 

 from C. globulosus, and which resembles it in the robust appear- 

 ance due to the enlargement of the sub-cutaneous lymph-sinuses. 

 This interesting character is not given in the diagnosis of the 

 genus either by Giinther or Boulenger.'"' 



Thurston (8), with reference to the same species, says : — " On 

 laying open the visceral cavity, the globular shape was found to 

 be due to an enormous distension of the oesophagus and stomach, 

 the latter occupying nearly the whole of the abdominal cavity, 

 and the remaining viscera &c. being compressed and lying 

 posteriorly. There was no distension of the intestinal tract. The 

 distension of the oesophagus and stomach was found on section 

 to be caused by the presence in their cavities of a mass of winged 

 white ants (termites) which when dried weighed 326 grains." 



The descriptions of Giinther are based on slender evidence, 

 namely the examination of two specimens in spirit. So far as 

 I was able to observe in several fresh specimens of C. si/stoma, 

 I did not find an excessive quantity of the peritoneal fluid beyond 

 what should generally be expected in the abdominal cavity. The 

 supposition that the development of the ovaries is a source of 

 the stoutness may at once be dismissed, as it can apply only 

 to females, and again in them it is seasonal as in all batrachians. 

 So also Thurston's hypothesis, as food cannot be regarded as a 

 permanent cause. 



I find that the stout shape of the body in this toad cannot be 

 accounted for by any one chai-acter, but by a combination of 

 features as the following : — The viscera as a whole exhibit a 

 great development which is disproportionate to the small dimen- 

 sions of the abdominal cavity. They therefore press against 

 the sides of the abdomen and bring about a characteristic 

 rotundity of the same. A feature which has not been noted as 

 regards this toad is the inclusion of the proximal portion of the 

 thigh into the trunk. The skin of the thigh is drawn along with 

 that of the body, and consequently the contour of the latter 



