BUFO VERTEBRALIS. 
the fourth rather shorter, and the fifth or innermost still shorter, the second 
about double the length of the first ; they are all free at their base. The 
under surface of the feet is thinly sprinkled with small oblong hard tubercles, 
and two on each foot are larger than the rest, one a little behind the base of 
the inner toe, the other of the outer toe. Nose slightly rounded, the nostrils at 
its apex, one on each side, the opening directed outwards and forwards. Eye- 
shields rather prominent, eyes small and rather deeply set, tympanum small, 
projecting, and almost completely encircled by a prominent ring. Parotid 
glands rather indistinct, irregularly shaped, and close to the tympanum. 
Ocular shields posteriorly covered more or less with small tubercles. 
Back, in some individuals, with numerous small hemispherical warts, in other 
with only a few towards the head ; the outer surface of the extremities also 
more or less warty. The under surface of the body granular, the granu- 
lations of the hinder part of the abdomen and the pubic region largest. 
Tongue full, ovate, the last half free, and behind entire; inner opening of 
nostrils circular, and immediately in front of the floor of the eyes. Opening 
of Eustachian tube rather large, and a little behind the angle of the mouth. 
Length from the point of the nose to the hinder extremity of the back, one 
inch four lines. 
In the interior districts of Southern Africa, north-east of the Cape Colony, specimens 
of this species were obtained in considerable abundance. They were usually found in 
situations abounding with brushwood, generally under or amongst decayed leaves. They 
had all the habits of a true toad : fully twenty individuals came under my observation, the 
majority of which were about an inch and a quarter in length ; the others were much 
smaller and evidently young. As so many specimens were seen of the largest size, and as 
not a few of them were obtained at different seasons of the year, I am disposed to believe the 
individual figured had attained mature age. 
