26 BATRACHIA. 



only describes the coloration of his species, failing to point out the 

 organic characters by which it could be distinguished from either 

 Rana viridis, Eana esculenta, and Ra7ia temporaria. But as far as the 

 description of that author goes, it will apply almost strictly to the 

 specimens now before us. 



We regret not having at our disposal sufficient materials to institute 

 a thorough comparison between this species and Rana viridis and Rana 

 temporaria. Taking the work of the French herpetologists just men- 

 tioned, for our guidance, we find that it differs from Rana viridis, in 

 having the vomerine teeth disposed upon two groups, instead of form- 

 ing a transverse row. That it differs further from the latter by a 

 snout more truncated, which brings the nostrils nearer to the end of 

 the snout than the anterior rim of the orbit ; by the interocular space, 

 which is proportionally smaller ; by the diameter of the tympanum, 

 which is smaller that that of the eye ; by the tip of the fingers and 

 toes, which are slightly swollen, instead of being tapering ; by the 

 toes themselves, which are rather depressed, whilst they are said to be 

 cylindrical in Rana viridis. 



Again, it differs from Raiia temporaria by the position of the groups 

 of vomerine teeth, which in Rana temporaria are situated more poste- 

 riorly with regard to the inner nostrils. It differs further from the 

 latter in having the fourth toe but one-fourth longer than the third, 

 and the fifth similar to that of RaQia viridis. The tympanum is a 

 little more than half the length of the upper lid, whilst in Rana tem- 

 poraria it is three-fourths of that same length, and instead of being 

 smooth as in the latter, it is posteriorly folded as in Rana viridis. The 

 interocular space, finally, is much broader in Rana temporaria than in 

 Rana maritima. 



With such a state of things, we have considered, it important to the 

 progress of science to give such figures as the state of preservation of 

 specimens would allow, accompanied by such a description as may 

 enable future observers to establish a more thorough comparison be- 

 tween it and the species they may be called upon to study and describe. 



Desor. — The head is subtriangular, broader than long, anteriorly 

 subtruncated, rounded from the nostrils to the margin of the upper 

 jaw. The nostrils themselves are situated near the upper surface of 

 the snout, and nearer its extremity than the anterior rim of the orbit. 

 They are elongated, resembling a depressed ellipsis, obliquely placed 



