THE BATRACHIA OF NORTH AMERICA. 25 



they are frequently shorter. In two specimens from Kingston, Upper 

 Canada, tliey exceed tlic length of the muzzle, but this is very seldom 

 the case. 



The tongue does not reach the symphysis of the lower jaw, and is 

 obtusely rounded in front. It is considerably free anteriorly. The in- 

 ternal nostrils are an oblique slit on each side, which lies obliquely and 

 opposite to the interval between the vomerine and pterygoid teeth. 

 The premaxillaiy teeth are in two straight divergent series, which unite 

 at a rounded angle in front, which would be, if completed, a little less 

 than a right angle. Each side usually contains eleven teeth, but there 

 are sometimes thirteen and in one large specimen (ISTo. 85G0) hlteeu 

 teeth. The vomerine series is parallel within the premaxillar^', forming, 

 like them, an obtuse angle anteriorly. There are twelve or thirteen- 

 teeth on each side, but sixteen in the large specimen (No. 8300). Imme- 

 diately posterior to these and at a short interval, the pterygoid series 

 commences. It is slightly convex outwards, and embraces usually six 

 teei h, rarely five, and in the large (No. 8LG0) ten teeth. The dentary bone 

 snpports twelve or thirteen teeth, which are directed obliquei 3' inwards 

 at a slight angle. The splenial bone supports four and sometimes five 

 teeth, which form a short series posterior to those of the dentary bone, 

 whose base ascends gently backwards. In two specimens from Grass 

 Eiver, N. Y. (No. 7038) the teeth are rather fewer in number, viz: Pre- 

 maxillaries, eleven; vomcropalatines, eleven; pterygoids, four. 



The limbs are well developed, but short and weak, as in salamanders 

 generally. The two external fingers are subcqual in length, and shorter 

 than the two middle ones, which arc also subcqual. There are no dis- 

 tinct palmar or su bdigital warts. The phalanges are, beginning on 

 the inner side, 1-3-3-2. The toes are all unequal. The inner is the 

 shortest; then follow in order the fourth, the second, and the third. 

 There are no solar or subdigital tubercles. The phalanges number 

 1-2-2-2. The limbs are of about equal length, and are equal to the 

 width of the head just in front of the branchiae. Pressed to the side, 

 they are separated by a distance equal to one length and a half of 

 either of them. 



The skin is entirely saiooth, and has no longitudinal lateral fold. 

 There arc fourteen transverse folds — very rarely fifteen — which are not 

 visible on the belly nor on the median dorsal region. A fold crosses 

 the throat, connecting the branchial fissures; it is not very profound, 

 and becomes obscure in specimens which have not been well preserved. 

 There are two branchial fissures only, there being none behind the pos 

 terior branchial arch. The vent presents two short obtuse processes 

 inwards and backwards at the posterior part of its lateral borders. An- 

 terior tc these there are three short processes, one on each side and one 

 at the anterior angle, which are principally composed of fine pappillee. 

 Besides these, the entire walls are pappillose. These are especially 

 prominent at the breeding season. 



