1880. ] Concerning Amber. 179 
EXPLANATION OF CUTS OF CRANIA OF ANURA. 
The numbers in each column correspond with the types of ossification mentioned 
in the text, and are the same as those in the table of families given in the same con- 
nection. The power numbers attached to Fig. 3, represent the degree of ossification 
of the nasal bones, except the —1, which signifies unossified. ethmoid. Most of the 
cuts are original. 
Buronip&.—Fig. 2, anterior part of skull of Ee gouldi Gray, from 
Australia, Fig. 3, do of Schismaderma carens Smith, S. Africa. Fig. 6, top 
of head of Pe/taphr. ae FSA ia i D. and B., cet "Fig. 7, top of head of 
Otaspis eee Cop 
SCAPHIOPID 5 ets OBATIDA,.—Fig. 2, diagram be top of cranium of Did 
calcaratus Mee Spain. Fig. 5, skull of Scaphiopus holbrooki Hat, 
United States. Fig. 6, skull of ‘Cultripes provincialis, from France, after 
ug S. 
HyxLiDÆ.—Fig. 1 ; Thoropa misiessi Bibr., Brazil. Fig, 2, Hypsiboas doumerci D. 
, Surinam. Fig. 2!, Aypsiboas punctatus Schn., Brazil. Fig. 32, mh 
venulosus Daudin, Brazil. Fig. 6, Trachycephalus de ie sent D. an 
azil, after Steindachne 
Sitters HIDÆ.—Fig. 1, Z oth nebulosus Gir., Chili. Fig. 2, Borborocetes tas- 
maniensis Gthr., Tasmania. g. 3, Elosia nasus Licht., Brazil. Fig. 
lodes seyrijnched D. and ge W. Indi Fig 4 Grypiscus umbrinus Cope, 
Brazil. Fig. 6, sr tehe pores gayi D. & É; Chili 
Ranip&.—Fig. 31, Ranula -ysoprasina Cope, date Rica. Fig. 3, Rana oxy- 
rhyncha Sand., S. rn Ha 31, Rana clamitans Daud., N. America. Fig. 
3’, Rana agilis Mus., Berol. Fig. 3°, Rana eee 3 Less., India, Fig. 4, 
Polypedates gutiiritincatas D. and B., Ceylon 
[To be Conable) 
a 
CONCERNING AMBER! 
BY ERMINNIE A, SMITH. 
Pas history of amber illustrates most clearly not only the slow 
and tedious growth of civilization, but also the seeming per- 
versity and obtuseness of human nature, which, especially in fors 
mer times, so retarded the advancement of science. Exhuming 
this history from the dim, far distant, prehistoric past, we find that _ 
om being first used for fuel by the almost barbaric northern 
hordes, among the more refined southern peoples, amber, like 
bronzes and their other articles of luxury, took the place of coin- 
and had its economical and financial import. The oldest written 
documents that have come to us, mention it as one of the chief — 
articles of luxury of the ancient civilized world, an slabs v - 
Sreater request than fine gold. 
"Read before E “ American Asso. for the Advancement of Science” at: Sane eo 
