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Show 1889.] OF THE GENUS RHACOPHORUS. 31 Biirgeria maculata, Tschudi, Class. Batr. p. 75 (1838). Polypedates leucomystax, Dum. & Bibr. viii. p. 519 (1841). Polypedates leucomystax, part., Kelaart, Prodr. Faun. Zeyl. p. 193 (1852). Polypedates maculatus, part., Giinth. Cat. Batr. p. 78 (1858), and Rept. Brit. Ind. p. 428 (1864) ; Stoliczka, Proc. As. Soc. Beng. 1872, p. 106. Polypedates maculatus, Blanf. Journ. As. Soc. Beng. xxxix. p. 376 (1870). Polypedates biscutiger, Peters, Mon. Berl. Ac. 1871, p- 649. Rhacophorus maculatus, part., Bouleng. Cat. Batr. p. 83 (1882). The largest specimen (from Malabar) in the Collection measures 73 millim. from snout to vent. The posterior border of the fronto-parietals is produced on each side into a process which joins, or is connected by ligament with, the squamosal. The above figures show the amount of variation in the development of this parieto-squamosal arch, irrespective, apparently, of age and locality. The nasals and fronto-parietals are smooth, except in specimens which have the posterior arch much thickened, in which case that region is finely sculptured ; but the skin never adheres to any part of the skull. The fronto-parietals are broadest in front, and the postorbital processes merely indicated. Disk of third finger two fifths to one half the diameter of the eye. The tibio-tarsal articulation reaches the eye or between the eye and the tip of the snout. Interorbital space once to once and one third the width of the upper eyelid. Upper parts variously spotted, never banded ; hinder side of thighs with large yellow spots, usually separated by a purplish-brown network. Hab. India and Ceylon. Specimens in the British Museum from Ganjam, Madras, Bombay, Salem, Malabar, Nilgherries, and Ceylon. According to Nevill, R. maculatus is found in the hot dry parts of Ceylon, from Putlam, across the island, and south to Batticaloa ; it has a peculiar fondness for houses. Thurston (Cat. Batr. S. Ind. 1888) remarks that it is common in Madras at night, adhering to walls and windows, and is known among Europeans as the "chunam frog," from the frequency with which it is found on chunam (shell-lime) walls. RHACOPHORUS CRUCIGER. Polypedates leucomystax, part., Kelaart, Prodr. Faun. Zeyl. p. 193 (1852). Polypedates cruciger, Blyth, in Kelaart, op. cit. App. p. 48 (1852). Polypedates maculatus j part., Giinth. Cat. Batr. p. 78 (1858) ; and Rept. Brit. Ind. p. 428 (1864). Rhacophorus maculatus, part., Bouleng. Cat. Batr. p. 83 (1882). Rhacophorus cruciyer, Nevill, Taprobanian, iii. p. 6 (1888). The largest female specimen measures 85 millim. from snout to vent, the largest male only 56. |