158 
HORN EXPEDITION—AMPHIBIA. 
and the mid-line stretching forwards to the tip of the snout. Posteriorly is a 
light patch stretching backward on either side of the urostyle, and the two patches 
may be confluent across the median line at about half the length of the body. 
These light patches are surrounded by darker masses, which gradually shade off 
towards the sides of the body. The ventral surface is light-coloured, and the front 
and hind limbs are always banded. From this well-marked pattern the considerable 
variations seen in different specimens may be derived. The lighter ground colour 
of the body is usually a cream-white, the darker patches varying in tint from 
silvery to dark grey. On them are scattered numerous small tubei’cles tipped with 
salmon-pink. The first and second lingers of the front feet are often umber in 
colour. Sometimes the darker markings may be scarcely visible at all and the 
whole body have a light silvery colour. Light and dark specimens are found 
close together in the same spot .burrowing in the sand. When placed in spirit the 
salmon-pink colour may Ijecome diffused over the lighter patches. 
The Tadpole .—In February, 1895, I secured a few specimens in water-holes 
between Oodnadatta and Charlotte Waters, and have to thank Mr. E. C. Cowle 
for further specimens from Illamurta in the James Range. The tadpoles are not 
so plentiful as those of C. platycephalus or H. rubella., though judging by the con¬ 
siderable number of adult specimens met with during the dry season they must 
exist somewhere in fair numbers. In February, 1895, after the rains, whilst adults 
of the two forms just named were often seen, those of L. ornatus were not met with, 
though three or four half-grown specimens were secured. 
The following are the dimensions of the tadpoles :— 
Length of body not quite twice the width and about three-quarters the 
length of the tail. 
Nose nearer to the tip of the snout than to the centre of the eye. 
Eye on the upper surface of the head not visible from below. 
The spiraculum is on the left side, not visible from above. 
The anus opens in the median lino at the base of the tail. 
The tail is about a third as long again as the body, rounded at the extremity 
with the dorsal and ventral crests continuous round the end of the muscular part. 
The upper crest thins away at the base of the tail ; the ventral passes forwards to 
the anus. 
The beak is broadly edged with black. 
