188 PHYSIOLOGY AKD JTATUBAL HISTOEY. 



PHYSIOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY. 



To the Editor of the Canadian Journal : 



Perth, 19th February, 1856. 



Sir, — There is a variety of deer frequently killed in this vicinity, 'which I have 

 never been able to find described, and should like to know if any of the members 

 of the Institute can give any information respecting it. It is popularly known as 

 the " Spike Horn Buck," and I adjoin the following short description. 



The Spike Horn Buck has much shorter legs than the ordinary deer, but is also 

 heavier bodied. The forehead is wider, and the horns, -which are set very high 

 on the head, are almost six inches in length, smooth and straight without any 

 dieposition to branch. As this animal is killed of all ages I think it is evidently 

 a distinct variety from the common deer. I have had a head preserved which I 

 shall send to the museum of the Institute a3 soon as an opportunity offers. 



Yours, &c, W. T. MORRIS. 



R A N I D M . 

 In the proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of Philadelphia, for December 

 25th, Dr. LeConte has published a descriptive catalogue of the Ranidae of the 

 United States. 



He remarks upon the difficulty of accurately describing those animals, and the 

 confusion which has ai'isen in the synonymy, principally arising from the circum- 

 stance of the colors and markings being so extremely variable. Descriptions to 

 be accurate must be made from living specimens, and from a number of individuals. 

 Dr. LeConte has had an opportunity of examining the following : 



Rana Catesbiana, Shaw. 



" nigrescens, • Agassiz. 



" fontinalis, LeConte. 



" pipiens, Gmelin. 



" palustris, LeConte. 



" clamator, Daudin. 



" conspersu, LeConte. 



" capito, " 



Telmatobius lentiginosus, Shaw. 



Acris gryllus, LeConte. 



" crepitans, Baird. 



Chorophilus uigrita, LeConte, 



" ornatus, Holbrook. 



Hyla versicolor, LeConte, Tree frog of Pennant. 



*' lateralis, Pennant, Cinereous of " 



" femoralis, Daudin, 



" squirella " 



" delitescens, LeConte. 



" Pickeringii, Holbrook. 



" ocularis, Daudin. 



Scaphiopus solitarius, Holbrook. 



Bufo musicus, Daudin. 



" Americanus, LeConte, 



" erythronotus, Holbrook, 



" quercicus, " 



Engy3toma Carolinense, Wagler. 



