16 . S 
Taylor: Philippine Amphibia 
229 
3. Tips of toes dilated into regular disks, with a distinct groove 
around edge of each disk. To this group would be assigned most 
of the other known Philippine species of Rana. 
The external distinctions between Staurois and Rana or be- 
tween Polypedates and Philautus are scarcely more “generic” 
in nature than the obvious distinctions pointed out between the 
various groups of Rarva. Barbour states, speaking of Philautus 
pallidipes Barbour; 
The small size (body one inch long for nearly adult female), lack of 
cranial ossification, the absence of vomerine teeth place this form with the 
genus Ixalus. The fact, however, that two species of Polypedates have been 
discovered, viz. P. edentulus (F, Muller) and P. anodon (Van Kampen) 
which also lack vomerine teeth, shows how scant is the basis of separation 
for the two genera. Cranial ossification is unknown in Ixalus and, of 
course, is not general in Polypedates so that the adult size alone stands 
as the generic distinction. A very slim one surely.® 
The Ranidae are the so-called true frogs. They are not known 
to be poisonous and for the most part are edible. Many of the 
species are large enough to be of commercial value and are found 
frequently in Philippine markets. The larger species are bred 
on farms in various parts of the world and sell for high prices. 
The clear white flesh is considered a great delicacy. The man- 
ufacture of fine leather from frog skins is an industry of con- 
siderable importance in Japan. 
The Philippine species which appear to attain the largest 
sizes are Rana vittigera, R. magna, and R. moodiei. Some spec- 
imens of these species in the collection have a body length of 
13 centimeters and the hind legs measure 16.4 centimeters, 
making a total length of nearly 30 centimeters. Doubtless they 
grow to even larger sizes. 
The largest species known in the world appears to be Rana 
goliath Boulenger, from Africa, which attains a body length of 
about 30 centimeters, with legs nearly 35 centimeters long, or 
a total of 65 centimeters (nearly 2 feet 2 inches). 
Key to the Philippine genera of Ranidse. 
a’. Tongue entire; fingers free, toes webbed; tympanum indistinct; very 
small or no disks on digits; no vomerine teeth Oxyglossus Tschudi. 
o*. Tongue more or less deeply nicked behind. 
P. Vomerine teeth present; fingers perfectly free; no intercalated bone 
between last two phalanges; toes more or less webbed; outer 
metatarsals separated by a web; with or without disks on tips 
of digits Rana Linnaeus. 
b'. Vomerine teeth present or absent; a small intercalated bone between 
last two phalanges of digits; terminal digits T-shaped; outer 
metatarsals separated by a web. 
“ Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 21 (1908) 190. 
169611 — t 
