ON THE FAMILIES OF THE RANIFORM ANURA. 193 



Length head and bodylSlmes; fore limb 9-75 lines; hind limb 36 lines; foot 

 without tarsus 9-75; tarsus 5'25; tibia 12 lines. 



Above an olivaceous clay color, with a broad blackish dorsal band commencing 

 abruptly across the interorbital space, narrowing on the scapular region, and spread- 

 ing widely over the sacral region, before vanishing; a broad oblique blotch from 

 axilla to near groin. Femora blackish marbled behind, with faint cross-bars above; 

 tibia with some light bordered black spots on hinder margin. Fo>,t, tarsus and fore- 

 arm black^below. Abdomen pale yellow; gular region thickly brown speckled, 

 Nimierous specimens in Mus, Compar. Zoology, Cambridge, from W, Theobald Jr 

 (No. 630.) 



This species, although presenting some peculiar features, cannot be referred to any 

 other genus than the present one From its structure I should suppose it to be a 

 strong swimmer, and would express the belief that its habits are aquatic and terres- 

 trial, like the Acris gryllus among Hylidte, offering another evidence of the risk of 

 applying physiological characters to the explanation of the system of animal struc- 

 tures. Callula, once held to be a tree-toad, is really more nearly allied to some 

 ground toads, and embraces species both aquatic and terrestrial ! 



A similai' instance occurs in the genus Bufo. Dumeril and Bibron renjark of B. 

 h o r h o u i c u a {B. cruentatus Boie) that it might as well be regarded as a tree-frog 

 or frog as a toad. On this species Boie established his genus Hijkqjlesia, according to 

 Piof Peters, reierring it to the tree-frogs. GUnther referred this name to the <'enus 

 Dendrobates, it appears erroneously, in consequence of which tlie writer re- 

 characterized the section under the name Adenomus, taking as t \ pe Bufo 

 kelaartii. Professor Peters still retains the genus, adding a new species, Bufo 

 b r e v i p e s .* I am, however, convinced, after a most careful study of the internal 

 and external structure of B, kelaartii, and in part of B. borbonicus, 

 that they do not differ from the genus Bufo, and that their external appearance is 

 deceptive. 



MICROHYLA Tschudi, Dum. Bibr., Cope. 



M. a c h a t i n a Boie [Hijlaplesia) Tschudi. Java. 

 Size small ; the only species. » 



SYSTOMA T,schudi. 



Batrachia (nee. Wagler). Steindachner, Rei.se d. Novara. Upenxlon Dum. Bib., 

 Gunther, Catal. Cacopm Giinther, Rept. Brit. Ind. 



* Monatsberichte 1857, 55. In the same essay Prof. P. refers Cbelydrobatrachus to Brevipes, erroneously, 

 as the two genera do not enter the same families, x^is reference of Myohatrachus paradoxus to C. g o u 1 d i i 

 I have no doubt is correct, from my own examination of the types of the two species. 



49 



