SCAPHIOPUSSOLITARIUS, 87 



Habits. This is a strange animal — an odd mixture of Toad and Frog, having 

 the teeth of the one and the rudimental post-tympanal glands of the other; it 

 approaches, however, nearest the Toad in its form and habits, as it never ventures 

 in water except at the breeding season; it lives in small holes about six inches deep, 

 excavated by itself in the earth, which for a long time I took for holes of insects: 

 here it resides, like the Ant-Lion, seizing upon such unwary insects as may enter 

 its dwelling. It never leaves its hole, except in the evening or after long con- 

 tinued rains. It shows great dexterity in making this dwelling; sometimes using 

 the nates, and fastening itself by the spade-like process; at others it uses the legs 

 with these processes, like a shovel, and will in this way conceal itself with great 

 rapidity. In progression its motions are not very lively, and its powers of leaping 

 but feebly developed. It appears early in March, after the first heavy rains of 

 spring, and at once seeks its mate. I have met them even in very cold weather, 

 with ice on the ground. 



General Remarks. This animal is perhaps somewhat allied to the Ceratophris 

 of South America, which has teeth, the posterior extremities short, and the hind 

 feet furnished with a movable unarmed tubercle. The Rana cultripes of Cuvier* 

 would seem to be furnished with a process more nearly resembling that of our 

 animal. 



* Cuvier, Regne Animale, vol. ii. p. 105. 



