160 
HORN EXPEDITION—AMPHIBIA. 
underground during the daytime. Its tracks can often be traced over tlie sand to 
a spot at which tliey disappear, and by digging down here tlie animal is usually to 
be found. It does not appear to store up water and lestivate as does C. platy- 
cephalus, and it feeds upon beetles, many of which are to be found in its stomach. 
When placed on the sand it immediately begins to burrow, moving its hind 
legs downwards and slightly outwards, so as to make a way for its body, and it 
disappears from sight in a very short time. Under these conditions, as a means 
of movins: the soft sand aside, the use of its strong web and metatarsal tubercle is 
easily seen. 
(2) Chiroleptes p/afycephalns, Gunther. (Plate XIII., Fig. 1. Plate XIV., Figs. .6-9). 
The adiiU .—As Mr. Fletcher has pointed out, in the original description of 
the genus the pupils are stated to be vertical, but when living specimens are 
e.xamined it is at once seen that they are horizontal. The hgure in the British 
Museum Catalogue (PI. xvii.. Fig. 4) also needs correction in this respect. In 
the description given in the latter work, as well as in the synopsis of species,* it is 
stated that the tympanum is indistinct. This statement is scarcely borne out by 
the figure alluded to, and in the numerous specimens secured by us the tympanum 
is very distinct. 
The hind-foot is peculiarly solid in appearance, the webbing in addition to 
being complete is notaljly strong and thick and the metatarsal tubercle veiy well 
dev'eloped. The.so features are correlated with its essentially burrowing habits. 
In respect of its colours the description given of the living form would vary 
remarkably according to the .season at which in Centi’al Australia the animal 
happened to be found. Dr. Gunther describes it as “ uniform greenish-olive 
above, throat with a few small greenish spots.” In May, 1894, we found 
specimens both in water-pools which were nearly dried up and also in burrows. 
These specimens certainly ju.stified Mr. Fletcher’s statement that, “in keeping with 
its retiring habits, C. phiiyeephalus is clad in sombre tints, which are not very 
seriou.sly interfered with by the action of alcohol; my specimen when alive might 
have been described as above of an olive-grey or greyish-brown much freckled with 
darker spots and blotche.s, but without any definite pattern ; beneath white, the 
throat of the male slightly and finely dotted with darker.” 
* Brit. Mus. Cat., Batr., 1882, p. 268. 
