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 ductus, 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, scahriusculo. Pedibus posticis subpalmatis. Corpore menibrisque 
nigf'is, abdoniine macula yyiagna transversd ad partem posteriorem et macula rotunda 
utrmque medium versus, palmis atque plantis, omnibus coccineis. 
Phryniscus nigricans. Weigm. Nov. Act. Leop. XVII. p. 264. Bibr. Hist. Rept. VIII. p. 723. 
Chaunus formosus. Tscliudi Classif. Batracli. 
Habitat, Maldonado and Bahia Blanca. 
H 
