RECORDS OF W.A. MUSEUM. 
[205 
the eye (see Text Fig. 8b) is a small fold of integument, beset with 
three or four conical papillae, which when the eye is closed, fits 
over the anterior junction of the upper and lower eye-lids, This 
structure is apparently of secondary importance during burrowing 
operations which have unfortunately never been observed in this 
species. However, in allied burrowing forms, and in particular 
Philo cry phis, flavoguttatus and Limnodynastes dorsalis, var. dumerilii 
burrowing has been carefully observed and there is no reason to 
believe that it differs to any extent in H. albopunctaius. The 
large eyes which under normal conditions protrude considerably, 
can be withdrawn well into the orbits and even to below 
the general surface of the head. This is done during the 
burrowing process by the two species mentioned above, just before 
the frog’s head disappears beneath the surface of the earth, and it 
will be found if the mouth be opened and examined at this stage 
that its cavity is nearly filled by the downward bulge of the orbits. 
The upper eyelid has little power movement, but by the 
contraction of the eye into the orbit it is drawn considerably over 
the eye, while the thin semi-transparent lower lid is drawn up 
under its outer edge. When so closed, this serrated flap of skin 
b. Heliofonis albopmctatus, Gray 
Side view of head, enlarged. 
