THE RHINOPHRYNE THE AXOLOTL. 251 



can monarchy, and none but members of the " blood royal " 

 were permitted to wear its gorgeous feathers. 



REPTILES : THE RHINOPHRYNE. 



The tongues of frogs, instead of pointing outwards, are 

 directed towards the throat. This species differs from the rest 

 of its tribe, by having its tongue free and pointing forwards. 

 Its rounded head sinks completely into the body, the muzzle 

 being abruptly truncated, so as to form a circular disc in front. 

 So extremely small is the gape, that it would not be supposed, 

 if separated from the body, to have belonged to a frog. On 

 each side of the neck there is a gland, deeply sunk, and 

 almost concealed by the skin. 



The body of this curious creature is extremely short and 

 thick, and its feet are half webbed. At the end of each of 

 the hinder feet is a flat, oval, horny spur — its only means of 

 offence and defence, as it possesses no teeth in its head. 



It is of a slaty-gray colour, with yellow spots on the sides 

 and back. Occasionally the latter unite, so as to form a 

 jagged line along the back. 



THE AXOLOTL. 



Among the batrachians found in Mexico is the curious 

 axolotl, which frequents the great lake on which the chief city 

 is built, as well as numerous other lakes, some at a consider- 

 able elevation above the ocean. It is between eight and ten 

 inches long, of rather a dark grayish-brown colour, thickly 

 covered with black spots. Those who have seen a newt in its 

 larva state, may form a correct idea of the gills which project 

 from either side of the head. 



Naturalists differ in opinion as to whether it is really an 



