298 BULLETIN 34, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Spca Jiammondii. Very wide lateral iiilV.i)r attaclimeuts, which do not meet till 

 femora. 



Spea boniMfrons. Belly with a free median band; femoral lines below and above be- 

 hind. 



Spea mulUxilicata. A free dorsal line, very narrow in front, but wide as ilia behind; 

 abdominal area with a broader free space. 



SOAPHIOPUS Holbrook. 



N. Amer. Herp., ii, p. 85; Tschudi, Batr., p. 83; Dam. & Bibr, viii, p. 

 471 ; Giinth., Cat., p. 38 ; Cope., Nat. Hist. Eev., 1865, p. 108, and 

 Journ. Ac. Phila. (2), vi, p. 81 ; Boulenger, Cat. Batr. Sal. Brit. 

 Mus., 2ded., 1882, p. 433. 



CavLim tympani and tympanic membrane present; sternum a carti- 

 laginous i^Iate ; pupil erect; toes webbed; interna] cuneiform bone of 

 tarsus well developed. 



This genus embraces species of robust form and of burrowiog habits. 

 The greater part of their lives is spent beneath the surface of the 

 ground, but in spriug they emerge and proceed to deposit their eggs in 

 the nearest body of water. This is usually of a temporary character, 

 and in adaptation to this circumstance the metamorphosis is corre 

 spondingl}^ rapid. They are very irregular as to the period of its com- 

 pletion, in dry regions losing their larval appendages while very small, 

 while in other and well-watered regions they retaiu them until fully 

 grown. During the season of reproduction tliey are very noisy, but 

 after that time disappear, and are neither seen nor heard. They are of 

 plain colors. Their general forms are like those of their allies of the 

 Old World, the species of Pelobates, or somewhat like that of toads. 



There are two well-marked species of this genuS; which differ as fol- 

 lows : 



a. Collections of glandular crypts on the post-tympaaic and pectoral regions. 



Front wide ; interorbital width entering length of tibia 2.5 times ; vomer- 

 ine teeth a little behind choanal; color dark, with or without two pale 



longitudinal stripes S. JwJhrooMi. 



aa. No glandular enlargements: on post-tympanic or pectoral regions. 



Front wide ; interorbital width entering length of tibia three times; vomer- 

 ine teeth a little behind nares; color light, with a net-work of brown 

 bauds S, couclm. 



SCAPHIOPUS HOLBEOOKII Harlan. 



(Plates 57, fig. 2; 68, fig. 3; 73, fig. 30.) 

 Baird, Eeport U. S. Pac. E. E. Surv., iv, Eeptil., 1859, PI. xxvii, fig. i. 

 1; Cope, Proceed. Ac. Phila., 1863, p. 54. 



Bana holhrookil Harlan, Med. Phys. Eesearches, 1835, p. 105. 



ScapMoims solUarius Holbrook, N. Am. Herp., 1836, Vol. i, p. 85, PI. xii, iUd. (edit, alt.), 



1842, IV, 109, PI. xxvii; Tschudi, M6m. Neuchatel, i, 1838, p. 83; Dam. & Bibr,, 



Erp. G6n., 18J1, viii, 473; Lc Conte, Proceed. Ac. Nat. Sti. Phila., 1855, 429; 



Giinth., Cat. Batr. Sal. Brit. Mus., 1858, p. 38; Boulenger, Cat. Batr. Sal. Brit. 



Mus., 2d ed., 1882, p. 434. 



