Ampfiib. XX FL Vol P$ No> f% 



STRANGE AMPHIBIOUS CREATURES. 



The horned toad. 



(Rana cornuta.) 



Hitherto we have had but very imperfect 

 drawings, concerning this strange animal, 

 which had been delineated after faded pat- 

 terns preserved in spirits of wine. (Pictu- 

 re Gallery. Vol. III. No. 39.) By means 

 of the last voyage of discovery, undertaken 

 by the Russians, Mr. Tiles i us , counsellor 

 of the court and celebrated german natura- 

 list , has supplied us with the first exact 

 picture of the horned toad, drawn to the 

 life in the annexed view. In little num- 

 bers it is met with in several parts of South- 

 America as likewise in Brasil and in the 

 isle of S. Catherine. Though the rough 

 body and large mouth, with which it cat- 

 ches insects, have an hideous appearance, 



yet the bright - sparkling colours of the skin 

 display themselves very handsomely. The 

 yellowish- brown body is adorned with sharp- 

 pointed warts and white- edged figures of 

 the colour of a violet. The fore- and hind- 

 part of the head as also the hind -feet are 

 adorned with plain spots of the most 

 beautiful green. Above the eyes raise them- 

 selves the orange - coloured eye -lids, re- 

 sembling a cone, which, slightly looked 

 upon , have been compared to little 

 horns; whence the name of this toad pro- 

 ceeds. Besides it is remarkable on account 

 of its greatnefs, in fig. A. being represen- 

 ted shortened by half, and fig. B, exposing 

 its head in full length. According to the 

 account of Mr. Tilcsius the weight of the 

 horned toad amounts to 4 pounds.. By the 

 Brasiliana it is called Aran - Tango, or 

 open tun. 



