174 [OcroBER, 
Descriptions of new species of Reptiles, collected by the U. S. Exploring Expedi- 
tion under the command of Capt. Cuartes Wiikes, U. S.N. 
First Part.—Including the species from the Western coast of America. 
By Sprncer F, Barrp and Cuarres Girarp. 
AMBLYSTOMA TENEBROSUM, B.andG. The single specimen of this species 
brought home by the Expedition is five inches and a half in length, of whieh 
the tapering and most compressed tail occupies two and a quarter. The head 
is subelliptical, and longer than broad. The limbs are proportionally stout ; the 
third finger is the longest. The color (as preserved in alcohol) is uniformly 
chestnut brown, marbled with a much deeper (nearly black) brown. 
This speciesis related to A. macrodactylum, Baird, but differs from it in the 
structure of the hind feet, in which the fourth finger is the longest; alsoin the 
vomerine band of teeth, which, in A. macrodactylum forms a curve convex for- 
wards, on the middle region of the palate, while in A. tenebroswm, the convexity 
of the same curve is directed backwards. 
From Oregon. 
Rana Avrora, B. andG. The general aspect of this species differs greatly 
from that of all its congeners in North America. The length of the body and 
head together is three inches and a half, the head forming nearly one third of 
this length. The head itself is pyramidal, pointed, the nostrils situated midway 
between the anterior rim of the eye and the tip of the snout. Eyes of medium 
size, inferior limbs short; fingers rather long and slender. The body is orange 
red, with here and there black irregular patches. 
From Puget Sound. 
Rana Drayrtonu, B.and G. This species resembles very much the preceding 
in its external appearance. It differs, however, in having a truncated snout, the 
nostrils consequently nearer to its tip than to the eyes. The eyes themselves 
and tympanum are proportionally larger than in R. aurora, the limbs more de- 
veloped and the tongue much narrower. The ground color is olivaceous green, 
maculated with black on the upper region of the body and limbs, whilst under- 
neath the hue is unicolor, except sometimes under the head, breast and hind 
legs, where the brown and white mingle in circular dots. 
Specimens were collected at San Francisco, California, and on Columbia River 
by Mr. Drayton himself, to whom we take pleasure in dedicating this species. 
Hyua recitua, B. and G. This is a species of medium size; the largest indi- 
vidual observed measuring one inch and a half from the nose to the posterior 
extremity of the body, the head itself occupying about half of this length. The 
hind legs are long and slender, the web extending only to half the length of the 
longest toe; fingers comparatively long. The general color is green above, 
turning to orange yellow along the sides of the head, abdomen and legs. ‘T'wo 
oblong, brownish black spots exist on the occiput, from which two vitte (one 
pair) of the same black color extend along the dorsal region; a similar band 
passes from the tip of the nose, across the eye and tympanum, and along the 
abdomen, when it is interrupted and forms a series of black and irregular small 
spots. In the immature state, green is the prevailing color; a few black spots 
being present along the whitish abdomen. 
Specimens of this species were collected on Sacramento River, in Oregon and 
Puget Sound. Drawings from life were made on the spot by Mr. Drayton. 
% 
Buro soreas, B. and G. Upper surface of head flat, nearly even, the orbits 
alone being raised above it. Snout truncated. Parotids of medium size and 
oblong. Tympanum comparatively small. Body tuberculous or warty. Hind 
feet webbed to nearly the tip of the toes. The color is brownish green above, 
dirty white below, with blackish brown patches spread all over. There is a 
dorsal, narrow and yellowish stripe, extending posteriorly from behind the eyes 
along the whole length of the body. 
