146 THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 
of my limited knowledge to say whether or no the species are 
distinct, but I offer these notes to more advanced her- 
petologists for as much as they are worth as evidence for 
and against. 
My first specimens of the genus were found at some ponds 
lying just N.H. of the Alt Street waiting-shed, Ashfield. The 
specimen first found was pulled up with the roots of some 
weeds and was several inches under ground. When unearthed 
it feigned death, but on being handled soon recovered and 
made vigorous efforts to escape. Since then I have found the 
species at Mosman and Lindfield, and always on the borders of 
stagnant pools. At Ashfield they were in the roots of weeds, 
and even in holes in the banks; at Mosman under stones, logs, 
and among reed debris; at Lindfield in similar places. At 
Ashfield, Lindfield and elsewhere I found them among their 
eggs, but at Mosman I once detected them among the ege- 
clusters of Crinia signifera. P. bibronii, as may also be said 
of P. australis, proved an excellent burrower, and seemed to 
dislike bright light. The amusing turtle-like waddle is also 
common to the two species, and both can undoubtedly swim. 
Some specimens in captivity use a little swimming bath, that 
has been built for them, much as aman might. Theswimming 
is ‘entirely voluntary, as it is impossible for the toads to fall 
in accidentally, and the water is too deep for them to sit in, 
It has been noticed, however, when P. bébrondi or P. australis 
fall accidentally or are dropped into the water, that if they do 
not first get a breath they sink and would drown unless rescued, 
These little toads are not very agile creatures, and a great 
difference may be observed between the conduct of Pseudo- 
phryne and that of a Hyla, Limnodynastes or Orinia, whem 
trying to balance themselves on a straw or thin stick. The 
frog will make a few business-like motions and be as firmly 
seated as is possible on such a rest, but the poor little toads, 
while clinging desperately with their hands, will make most 
pathetically unavailing attempts to gain a foothold, and 
frequently fall off after a piteous struggle to save themselves, 
It may be noticed that Pseudophryne does not give vent to 
prolonged croaking, five quick, sharp “crecks” being the 
average number; eight and nine are rare, and two or three 
more frequent. 
My first specimens of P. australis were discovered at Mosman 
under a large stone on the banks of a small stream that runs 
down from the quarries above Sirius Cove. On being disturbed 
they pretended to be dead; but, like P. bibronii, soon revived. 
The most perfect instance of such acting that I have ever seen 
was performed by one of this species. I had been rooting 
about among some stones and violently dislodged one of these 
little chaps, who proceeded to “die” as Ipicked him up. The 
