PYXICEPHALUS ADSPERSUS. 
Teeth rather strong, closely set, and slightly curved inwards; the lower jaw 
anteriorly has three prominent triangular processes, the intermediate one the 
shortest, and all three, when the jaws are closed, are received into depressions 
in the upper formed to admit them. Palatal teeth in two small clusters, one 
in front of the inner extremity of the internal opening of each nostril. The 
anterior extremities are short and nearly cylindrical, the toes four, strong, 
conical, and very short, the outermost the longest, and the innermost but one 
the shortest. The hinder extremities are powerful, but short when compared 
with the size of the frog ; toes five, cylindrical and tapered to a point, the 
second, reckoning from the outside of the foot, very long, the first and third 
of equal length and much shorter, the other two very short ; all connected at 
their base by a rudimentary web. Immediately posterior to the inner toe, 
particularly of the hinder feet, there is a large and hard compressed tubercle 
with the edge directed towards the middle of the foot rather sharp, somewhat 
keeled, and the under surface of each of the joints of the toes are cushioned 
with a pulpy granule or tubercle more or less developed. Tympanum nearly 
circular, about four lines in diameter, and situated directly over the angle of 
the mouth. The surface of the head, back, sides, and outer parts of the 
hinder extremities is rough and granular, and between the granulations of the 
hindhead, back, and sides, the skin is in various places puckered, so as to form 
prominent longitudinal rugae, as represented in plate. The granulations on the 
hinder portion of the back and on the posterior extremities, especially towards 
the body, are larger and less numerous than on the other parts where they 
occur. The fore legs, the inner surface of the hinder legs, and the under 
parts of the head and body smooth. Tongue large, ovate, and deeply emar- 
ginate behind. Length of hinder legs 6, of fore legs 3 inches. Length of 
head and body 5^ inches ; width of head posteriorly 3, of body 4^ inches 
This frog is far from being generally diffused in South Africa, although it exists in localities 
very distant from each other. The only individuals I found within the colony were towards the 
eastern boundary, where it was familiarly spoken of by the inhabitants under the name 
of “ Bull Frog,” so called from the strength and hoarseness of the sounds it emits, parti- 
cularly during the night. It lives generally in water, and is only seen in it, or at least in its 
immediate vicinity. The inhabitants report it. to appear only during the rainy season, and 
at other times, from there being no water, in the localities where they observe it existing 
during the period mentioned, they are of opinion that it conceals itself in the mud which 
remains after the water disappears, and that it continues in it till called forth afresh by a renewed 
supply of water. No opportunity occurred to me of testing the accuracy of the conclusion, 
therefore I would only observe, I have seen probably fifty in a temporary pool of water, and at 
a great distance from any spot where water existed during the entire of the year. 
