Taylor: Philippine Amphibia 
819 
ENGYSTOMID^ 
No maxillary teeth; diapophyses of sacral vertebrae dilated; 
sternal structure variable. Distal phalanges simple or T-shaped ; 
pupil erect or horizontal. Vertebrae procoelian, without ribs. 
This family shows very marked variation in numerous skeletal 
characters; especially in the sternum, and in the articulation 
of the coccyx. In the Philippines five genera have been recog- 
nized, containing in all eight species. 
Key to the Philippine genera of Engystomidie. 
a\ Pupil erect; no precoracoids; tympanum hidden. 
6'. Tongue elliptic; a cutaneous ridge across palate between choanss and 
another in front of oesophagus; fingers free, toes more or less 
webbed Microhyla Tschudi. 
Tongue oblong; palatine bones forming a bony ridge (sometimes 
toothed) across palate; two cutaneous ridges across palate In front 
of oesophagus Kaloula Gray. 
o^ Pupil horizontal; precoracoids present; no vomerine teeth. 
o'. Tongue oval; a dermal ridge across palate, between and in front of 
Eustachian tubes; fingers free, toes partly webbed; tympanum dis- 
tinct Kalophrynus Tschudi. 
b'. Tongue elliptical; a very indistinct bony ridge may be present behind 
choanEe; dermal fold in front of oesophagus; tympanum sometimes 
wanting; fingers and toes entirely free Chaperina Mocquard. 
b‘. Tongue large, rounded, a doubly arched palatal ridge present or absent ; 
a smooth dermal ridge in front of Eustachian tubes, and another 
behind them; tympanum present; fingers and toes free; no subartic- 
ular tubercles Phrynixalus Boettger. 
For the most part these small toads are terrestrial and bur- 
rowing, although one species, Kaloula conjuncta, ascends trees 
and probably makes them a more or less permanent habitat. 
Several of the species live exclusively on ants. Many of the 
species exude from their skin a poisonous substance which pro- 
tects them from being eaten by their enemies. 
Several specimens of Kaloula picta were placed in a cobra 
cage, and four of them were eaten by a young female cobra. 
After finishing the meal she rubbed her head about the cage, 
seemed extremely restless, frothed at the mouth, and appeared 
to be in pain. Later two other frogs were seized, partially 
swallowed and then ejected. When other food, such as a me- 
dium-sized Rana, was available, the Kaloula were not touched 
by the cobras. A dog will sometimes pick up one of these small 
toads in his mouth, but immediately eject it in great disgust. 
The male Kaloula conjuncta, when clasping the female, 
becomes glued to her back by excretion, either from her back 
or from his belly. This fact was noted also in Kalophrynus 
stellatus. 
