OCR Text |
Show 1890.] BATRACHIAN COLLECTION IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 327 extremity of each ramus mandibuli. A denticulated transverse dermal ridge in front of the oesophagus. Ear hidden. Fingers free ; toes webbed at the base, the tips slightly dilated; outer metatarsals bound together. No praecoracoid ; sternum cartilaginous. Transverse processes of sacral vertebra moderately dilated. Genyophryne may be regarded as the type of a new family of Firmisternia, Genyophrynida, characterized by absence of maxillary teeth and presence of mandibular teeth. In all but the latter character it agrees with the Engystomatida. GENYOPHRYNE THOMSONI. (Plate XXV. fig. 1.) Very similar in appearance to Rhombophryne testudo, Bttg. Head large and much depressed ; eyes small and wide apart. First finger shortest, third much longer than second or fourth. Inner metatarsal tubercle indistinct. Heel with a triangular dermal process. Skin smooth. Pinkish brown above, variegated with blackish ; temples whitish ; a light line on each side from the eye along the back ; hinder side of thighs and lower surface of tarsus black. From snout to vent 32 millim. A single specimen was obtained by Mr. Basil Thomson on Sudest Island, between New Guinea and the Louisiade Archipelago. It is unfortunately in very bad condition. CERATOPHRYS CALCARATA. (Plate XXVI.) Vomerine teeth in two very small, very indistinct groups between the choanse. Head large, bony ; a supratemporal bony ridge ; nostril nearer the eye than the tip of the snout; tympanum perfectly distinct, a little smaller than the eye ; interorbital space concave ; upper eyelid prolonged into a small "horn." First finger longer tban second ; toes hardly half webbed ; inner metatarsal tubercle very large, shovel-shaped, sharp-edged ; a rather indistinct tarsal fold. The tarso-metatarsal articulation reaches the tympanum. Upper parts with small very prominent tubercles, the largest of which are ribbed. No dorsal shield. Dark olive above, with paler symmetrical markings ; an arrow-headed green band on the back, widening and bifurcating between the eyes; lcwer parts with a few brown spots ; metatarsal spur black. From snout to vent 70 millim. A single specimen, a female, obtained by Hr. Darnel in Colombia, was in the late Dr. J. G. Fischer's collection, recently acquired by the Trustees of the British Museum. PALUDICOLA FISCHERI. (Plate XXV. fig. 2.) Tongue elliptic, entire. Vomerine teeth none. Snout rounded, as long as the diameter of the orbit; interorbital space as broad as the upper eyelid ; tympanum rather indistinct, about half the diameter of the eye. Fingers slender, first not extending quite as far as second ; toes slender, fringed, with a slight rudiment of web ; subarticular tubercles moderately large but very prominent; a small tarsal tubercle |