THE BATRACHIA OF NORTH AMERICA. 295 



DENDEOPHRYKISClDiE. 



This family is said by Bouleiiger to differ from tbe Cystignathidse, 

 only in the absence of the premaxillary and maxillary teeth. 

 There are but two genera, as follows: 



No vomerine teeth. Tongne entirely adlierent; no tympanum nor Eustachian tubes; 



toes webbed, external metatarsals united ; omosternum and sternum cartilaginous; 



terminal phalanges simple Batrachophrynns Peters. 



No vomerine teeth ; tongue free posteriorly ; fingers and toes slightly webbed ; the 



tips dilated ; no omosternum ; sternum with osseous style. 



Dendroplirijn'iscus Espada. 



There are but two species of Batrachophrynus, which are from Peru. 

 The single species of Dendrophryuisciis was fonnd near Eiode Janeiro. 



ASTEROPHRYDID^.* 



Vertebrae opisthocoelous. Diapophysis of sacrum dilated, of urostyle 

 wanting ; the latter attached by but one cotyloid cavity (except in one 

 genus). Kibs none. Sternum nndivided. 



In the known genera the external metatarsi not separated for a web ; 

 terminal phalanges continuous, simple. O. froutoparietalia not strongly 

 ossified medially, but without fontanelle. Superior plate of the ethmoid 

 well developed anteriorly. Ear perfectly developed. 



Genera: Cryptotis, Gthr. ; Asterophrys, Tsch. ; Megalophrys, Kuhl. 



The Palaeobatrachidse differ from this family in the conversion of 

 their seventh, eighth, and ninth vertebral centra and diapophyses into 

 a«sacrum, instead of the ninth only. The supposed osseous covering ot 

 the cavum tympani and tuba Eustachii, is not confirmed by the re- 

 searches of Walterstorff". 



Cryptotis, the only Australian genus of the family, possesses two 

 sacral condyles for the aiticulation of the coccyx ; it has a long tooth, 

 like process on the os deiitale, similar to that seen in Rana macrodon 

 and B. kuhJli. 



The other genera beloug to the Malayan Islands. There are no arbo- 

 real or aquatic forms embraced in this family. The whole number of 

 species known is five. 



a. Toes free. 



Two postsacral condyles ; o. dentate with a dentiform process; vomerine teeth; 



no parotoids ; sternum a cartilaginous plate t Cryptotis. 



One postsacral condyle. No dentiform process. Head large, angular; upper 

 lialpebral border with cutaneous appendages. Vomerine teeth. Tongue en- 

 tirely adherent. Tympanum hidden, perfect. ...- - Asteroplirys. 



aa. Toes partially webbed. 



One postsacral condyle; vomerine teeth little developed ; sternum with a bony 

 style; tongue broad, free behind (tympanum concealed) .. .Megalophrys. 



* Plate 68. t Teste Boulenger. 



