HORN EXPEDITION—AMPHIBIA. 
163 
The beak is broadly-edged with black. 
The lips are bordered with papillae arranged in a double series which are 
broadly interrupted on the anterior margin. The papillae increase slightly in size 
posteriorly. 
2 
Series of labial teeth g. The first upper row is complete, the second some¬ 
what broadly interrupted. The first lower row is narrowly interrupted in the 
middle line. The first upper row does not extend so far outwards as the second. 
The three lower rows diminish in lateral extension from before backwards. 
The body is dull yellow colour, without or with only faint splotches of darker 
colour. The muscular part of the tail like the body, but with the muscle segments 
indicated by dark lines. Darker mottlings on the crest. 
Measurements of the larger specimen figured:—Body, 28 mm. long; tail, 41 
mm. long; width of body, 17 mm.; height of tail, 14 mm.; snout to nose, 4 mm.; 
nose to centre of eye, 5 mm.; spiraculum from end of snout, 17 mm.; spiraculum 
from centre of eye, 10‘5 mm. 
Distribution .—This form was first described by Dr. Gunther* from Bourke in 
New South Wales. Since then it has been observed alive and described by Mr. 
Fletcher as occurring at Euroka and Dandaloo. All these localities lie to the west, 
that is to the inland, side of the Eastern Dividing Range of Australia. Mr. 
Fletcherf says “ it is at present peculiar to New South Wales, but not improbably 
it will be found to range further to the north and west, and as it seems to follow 
the Darling and it tributaries it should also occur further to the south.” 
All the specimens which we obtained came from creeks and clay-pans along 
our route for some 160 miles to the north of Oodnadatta. It is probably very 
widely spread over the dry central districts, for a life in which it is peculiarly 
adapted. During the dry season it can only be obtained by digging. 
Habits .—Various observers have noted the presence of a water-holding 
burrowing frog. One writerJ has described the occurrence of water in the burrows, 
and others such as Sanger and Lumholtz have stated that their bodies contain 
water, but I am not aware that the animal has hitherto been identified. Lumholtz§ 
says that in Western Queensland he heard people on the Diamantina River speak 
* Ann. Mag-. Nat. Hist. (4), XL, p. 350. 
t Atkin, Trans. New Zealand Inst. 
t Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., vol. viii., 2nd Series, 1893, p. 531. 
§ Among Cannibals, p. 344. 
