REPTILES. 49 



Bufo Chilensis. Bibr. 



Of this species, which has been described under different names by many 

 naturalists, and the synonymy of which has only lately been cleared up by 

 Mons. Bibron, there exist numerous specimens in the collection of Mr. Darwin, 

 who found it at Buenos Ayres, and also in the Archipelago of Chonos, on the 

 west coast of South America. It is certainly remarkable that the same 

 species should be found on the opposite sides of the Continent ; but on a careful 

 examination I do not find any specific distinctions between the specimens from 

 the different localities. The Prince de Wied has described it as found at Brazil, 

 under the name of Bufo cinctus, and it is also well known as having been re- 

 peatedly procured in Peru and in Chile ; but Mons. Bibron has in his work con- 

 sidered them all as belonging to but one species. The following account of its 

 habits as given by Mr. Darwin is very curious and interesting :— " These Toads 

 are exceedingly abundant all over the treeless damp mountains of granite, 

 crawling about, and eating during the daytime, and making a noise similar to 

 that which is commonly used in England to quicken horses. Many of them on 

 being touched close their eyes, arch their back, and draw up their legs (as if the 

 spinal marrow was divided), probably as an artifice. They are remarkable from 

 their curious manner of running like the Natter Jack of England ; they scarcely 

 ever jump, neither do they crawl like a toad, but run very quickly. Their bright 

 colours give them a very strange appearance. They abound at an elevation of 

 500 to 2500 feet." 



Genus— PHRYNISCUS. 



Phryniscus nigricans. Weigm. 



Plate XX.— Fig. 3, 4, 5. 



Dorso granuloso, scabriusculo. Pedibus posticis subpalmatis. Corpore membrisque 

 nigris, abdomine macula magna transversa ad partem posterior em et macula rotunda 

 utrinque medium versus, palmis atque plantis, omnibus coccineis. 



Phryniscus nigricans. Weigm. Nov. Act. Leop. XVII. p. 264. Bibr. Hist. Rept. VIII. p. 723. 

 Chaunus formosus. Tschudi Classif. Batrach. 



Habitat, Maldonado and Bahia Blanca. 



