Annals of the Transvaal Museum. 
51 
characters which are both ill-defined and elusive. In the case of species 
which are represented in our collection and of which we have no doubt 
as to their correct identification, there is exhibited a tendency to 
vary in some of the very characters to which Mocquard in his key has 
attached considerable importance (e.g. the webbing of the feet in M. 
ulcerosus , Bttgr. : the length of the hind limb in M. biporus , Blgr.). 
M. madagascariensis, Dum. (= Rcma inguinalis of Gunther). 
Twenty-three examples, adults and juveniles, from various localities in 
the eastern region, including Analamazotra and Folohy. 
In our series the markings on the back are distinct only in young 
specimens, which agree in this particular with the figure siven by 
Boulenger (7, PI. Ill, fig. 3). In most of our specimens the belly is quite 
smooth, but in some there is a suggestion of glandulation in the posterior 
part. The black inguinal spot as described for Rcma inguinalis is 
invariably present in our specimens. 
The colour of the posterior part of the thighs in life is orange streaked 
with black. The specimens taken at Analamazotra were found among the 
' fallen leaves an< 1 debris of the forests. 
Our largest specimen measures 53 mm. from snout to vent. 875-885, 
948, 949, 951-956, 960, 962-^4. 
MANTIDACTYLUS LUTEUS, sp. nov. This species resembles super- 
ficially M. madagascariensis , especially in colour pattern, but is at once 
distinguished therefrom by the much shorter first finger. 
Description. — Snout subacuminate : nostril nearer to end of snout 
than to the eye : canlhus rostralis sharp, loreal region oblique and some- 
what concave : breadth of interorbital space greater than that of upper 
lid: tympanum distinct, from half to two-thirds the diameter of the eye. 
Vomerine teeth in two short almost transverse or slightly oblique rows 
considerably behind the hinder level of the choanae. Fingers slender, the 
first very slightly less than equal to or slightly longer than the second, 
their tips dilated into moderate sized discs ; toes almost entirely webbed, 
their discs smaller than those of the fingers ; subarticular tubercles of 
digits well developed : inner metatarsal tubercle small or moderate in 
size ; no outer metatarsal tubercle. Tibio-tarsal joint of adpressed hind 
limb reaching well beyond the end of the snout. 
Skin finely granular above, more strongly so on the upper lip : the 
upper surfaces of body and limbs with very fine dermal ridges, in places 
forming a reticulum, the ridges being beaded with minute granules : a 
strong inwardly curved fold, black margined externally, stretches from the 
upper eyelid on each side to a point about one-third of the distance from 
the eye to the vent : more laterally situated is a much weaker longitudinal 
fold extending from a point immediately adjacent to the posterior ter- 
mination of the fold just mentioned and reaching almost to the base of 
the thigh on each side. The usual fold above the tympanum is present. 
A small dermal spur at the heel is present, but is sometimes inconspicuous: 
a similar dermal spur usually occurs at the angle of the mouth. Throat 
and breast smooth ; belly with glandular granulations : flanks with large 
glandular tubercles : inner surfaces of thighs granular, but not strongly 
so : males with a much elongated racemose gland on the under side of 
each thigh, the gland being minutely punctured all over. 
Colour : upper surfaces dull magenta to brownish with various dark 
and light markings : a pale band, dark-bordered behind, extends between 
the anterior portions of the eyes : hind limb with dark cross bars : the 
neighbourhood of vent and hinder sides of thighs dark : the tibia interiorly 
