420 _ [OcroBER, 
jaw ; for notwithstanding all that has been said of their harmless nature, they will 
strike as any other venomous snake will, as I experienced last spring with 
one of the largest I have ever seen. Moreover, insome foreign specimens of this 
genus, if the fangs were always perpendicular in the jaw, the mouth would not 
be closed without their piercing entirely through the lower lip. 
‘ 
The Committee on Mr. Girard’s descriptions of new Reptiles, reported 
in favor of publication. 
Descriptions of new species of Reptiles, collected by the U. S. Exploring Expedi- 
tion, under the command of Capt. Charles Wilkes, U. S. N. 
Seconp Part.—Including the species of Batrachians, exotic to North Ameriea. 
By Cuarues Grirarp. 
Taking for our guidance the structure of the vomerine or palatine teeth, that 
of the tympanum and tongue, we have been led to subdivide the genus Cystigna- 
thus as understood by Duméril and Bibron, in the * Erpéetologie générale.’’ The 
structure of the fingers and toes have afforded accessory characters which are 
not to be neglected, although comparatively less important. 
Leptopacty us, Fitz.—Vomerine teeth disposed in two transverse series, each 
constituting either an angular arch or a regular curve, and situated behind the 
inner nostrils. ‘Tongue slightly notched posteriorly. Tympanum very distinct. 
Toes either provided with a rudimentary membrane or entirely free. 
Obs.—LEPTODACTYLUS OCELLATUS, Fitz. (C. ocellatus, Dum. and B.), L. wa- 
BYRINTHICUS (Rana labyrinthica, Spix; C. labyrinthicus, Dum. and B.), and L. 
TYPHONIUs, Fitz. (C. typhonius, Dum. and B.), belong to this genus. 
Cystienatuus, Wagl.—Vomerine teeth disposed upon a transverse or oblique 
row, more or less interrupted in the middle, and situated either between the 
inner nostrils or behind them. ‘Tongue circular, subcireular or subcordiform, 
posteriorly entire, and either attached by its whole surface, or very slightly free 
behind. Tympanum distinct. Toes either bordered by a membranous fold or 
slightly webbed at their base. 
Obs.—CyYsTIGNATHUS MACROGLOsSSUS, C. GRACILIS and C. rosEvs of Duméril and 
Bibron will remain in this genus. 
Prevropema, Tsch.—Vomerine teeth disposed in two oblong groups situated 
between the inner nostrils. ‘Tongue subcircular, either slightly emarginated or 
entire posteriorly. Tympanum indistinct. Toes either entirely free, or else 
provided with arudimentary membrane at their base or along their margin. Skin 
pustulous or granular ; sometimes a large lumbar gland on each side. 
Obs.—PLEuROoDEMA akuNco (Bufo arunco, Schn.); P. siproni, Tsch. (C. 
bibront, Dum. and B.); P. surontum, Bell; P. parwinir, Bell; P. execans, Bell, 
and P. noposa (C. zodosus, Dum and B.), constitute another generic group. 
Crinia, Tsch.—Vomerine teeth either absent or else existing ina rudimentary 
state. Tongue elongated, subelliptical, posteriorly entire, or very slightly 
emarginate. Tympanum indistinct or hidden under the skin. Eustachian tubes 
very small. Fingers and toes subcylindrical, tapering to a point and perfectly 
free. 
Obs.—This genus as characterized above, may not meet with the approba- 
tion of Erpetologists, as combining species deprived of vomerine teeth and 
others possessing but very few of them. Indeed, if we had more than one 
species differing from the others in similar characters, we should not hesitate 
to make two genera in the following manner : 
Crinta, Tsch.—Vomerine teeth few, constituting two groups at the posterior 
margin of the inner nostrils. Tongue entire, oblong. Tympanum not very dis- 
tingt. Eustachian tubes quite small. Fingers and toes without membrane.— 
Crinia Groraiana, Tsch.' 
