NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 337 
Bromus setaceusisi?. sterilis, L. ; probably introduced. 
Uniola (Brizopyrum) flexuosais Brizopyrum spicatum, Hook, and Arn. 
Elymus in terruptus. We cannot quite match this among the various 
puzzling forms of the genus from Texas. 
Elymus triticoide s another name furtively appropriated from Nuttall 
13 a depauperate form of No. 2072, Hartweg, (and nearly of 2072, Wright), 
named by Col. Munro E. dasystachys, Trin., var. E. condensatus, Presl. 
Elymus gl a u c u s also Nuttall's appears scarcely, if at all, distinct from 
E. Sibiricus, L. 
Trisetum glabrum is Aira danthonioides, Trin., the same as Hartweg's 
2027 ; new to Texas. 
Trisetum interrupt um is T. elonyatum, H.B.K. ; it is in Lindheimers and 
in one of Wright's earlier collections. 
Trisetum canescens is the more hairy-leaved and striate form of T. cer- 
nuum, Trin., described from the specimen of " T. datum" Nutt., which name 
Mr. Buckley has erased from the ticket, for no obvious reason (as the name is 
a good one), except to give some variety in form to his depredations. 
Hierochloa occidentali s, Nuttall's name appropriated as usual is H. 
borealis, Rosm. & Schult. 
Happily Mr. Buckley has spared the Panice.cz and the Andropoginece; for which, 
in the interest of all American botanists, I tender him my sincere thanks. 
Notes upon some REPTILES of the Old World. 
BY E. D. COPE. 
Atheris squamatus Cope. 
Toxicoa squamata Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1859, p. 341. 
Eckis squamatus Hallow. 
Professor Jan states* that Schlegel's Vipera chlorocehis (Toxicoa, Cope, 1. c.) 
possesses keeled gular scales as in Tropidolamus. I find that Echis squamata 
of Hallowell exhibits the same peculiarity. In this respect these species differ 
from Echis arenicola Gray ; moreover, they are tree-vipers, having a 
compressed body, angular gastrosteges and prehensile tails, just as in the 
American tree-moccasins, species of Thamnocenchris, Salvin, and Teleuras- 
pisf Cope. They further represent these genera in having uniserial uros- 
teges. The keeled gular scales are found in Tropidolsemus, another Crotalid 
genus whose species abound in Malaysia ; and Megsera, also one of the Cro- 
talidse, is an evident representative in the forests of Ceylon. 
A very different type among the Solenoglypha ( Viperidos Cope) is the family 
Atractaspididae (-twee Cope.) Atractaspis and Brachycranium appear to be well 
defined genera. Whether Polemon Jan belongs here, and how it differs from 
Atractaspis, has not been stated. The Elaps irregularis Reinhardt, placed by 
Jan in that genus, and identified by Giinther with the A. i n o r n a t u s, is evi- 
dently the type of an unnamed genus. It differs from the other genera in its 
biserial urosteges. From Homeroselaps Jan, {Pacilojihis Grth., preoccupied 
among Apodes), it differs externally in the two nasal shields. It may be 
called Eurystephus. 
~~ Rev. Mag. Zoo)., 1859, No. 12. 
t Mr. Falvin speaks of Teleuraspis (P. Z. S., 1860, 459), as being cylindrical in form. 
However this may be with ihe T. n i t idus, the T. sch lege Ii i lias a prehensile tail, 
and is much compressed. 
1862.] 23 
338 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 
Tarbophis sp. I have seen a specimen of a species of this genus, from 
Ooroomiah, Persia, which is possibly different from that found in Southern 
Europe. The head is relatively shorter, the vertical and particularly the 
occipital plates being less elongate. There are ten upper labials, all narrow 
and high, the fourth, fifth and sixth bounding the orbit. In Bonaparte's 
coll. specimen there are eight, eye over third, fourth and fifth as described by 
Dumcril and Giinther; the seventh is very minute, the eighth horizontal. 
There are eleven inferior labials ; twelve in the Ooroomiah specimen, which 
has also three postoculars. Coloration much as in the v i v a x ; there is a 
narrow vertebral line and the belly is very dark. 
What this serpent should be named, if requiring it, is uncertain. The 
plates in Eichwald and Savigny's works resemble it, while the figures of 
Schlegel, Fleischmann and of the " Voyage dans la Russie Meridionale," etc. 
are different. 
Natrix leopardina. 
Callopeltis leopardina, Fauna Italica. 
This species bears considerable resemblance to Pityophis c a t e n i f e r. 
There seems to be no reason why Laurenti's original name for the Callopeltis 
or Coluber flavescens of some authors should not be retained as well as 
his Coroaella, Naja and Dipsas ; especially in view of the want of uniformity 
in the practice of naturalists in the matter. Besides the names above men- 
tioned, the genus has received those of Scotophis (Baird et Girard) and Elaphis 
(Hallow, fide Dum.) 
It contains the species longissima (Col. flavescens auct.), quad- 
rilineata, leopardina, rufodorsata, conspicillat a, manda- 
rin a, c a 1 1 i c e p h a 1 a, in the Old World ; quadrivittata, gut- 
tata, laet a, con finis, rhinomega, vulpina, allegheniensis 
and perhaps others, in North America. 
Tyria gracilis. 
From Ahmednuggur, India, has been received this species, quite recently 
described by Dr. Giinther as Zamenis gracilis. Tyria is an older name 
than Zamenis, hence we are compelled to write Tyria atrovirens, T. 
ventrimaculata, T. hippocrepis, etc. While Per tops Wagl. is 
rightly regarded by Giinther as a synonym of Tyria, Fitzinger's Chilolepis, 
typified by C. cliffordii, seems to be a valid genus not generally recog- 
nized. The Coryphodon fasciolatus of Giinther, poorly described by 
authors, seems to be a Tyria, if I have properly identified it. The separate 
posterior upper maxillary tooth is shorter than usual in the genus. 
Bascanium ant hi cum. 
Scales in seventeen longitudinal rows. Teeth equal. Head moderately 
distinct, plane in profile ; supercilia prominent, muzzle rounded. Rostral 
plate much higher than broad, prominent. Seven or eight superior labials, 
eye over third and fourth or fourth and fifth. Nasals high, loreal oblique, 
as high as long. Two preoculars, inferior very small, superior not reaching 
vertical. Two postoculars ; two large and two small temporals in contact 
with occipitals ; the latter are rounded, broad, their common suture not so 
long as the vertical plate. Superciliaries broad ; vertieal laterally concave ; 
postfrontals longer than prefrontals. Anal divided. Total length 34 inches ; 
of rictus 10 lines ; of tail 9 inches 3 lines. 
Color black, varied with many yellow scales ; which are either single or 
arranged in irregular spots ; beneath yellow. Head brown, with yellowish 
brown spots which are most distinct on the occipital and labial regions. 
The native country of this species is not certainly known ; some circum- 
stances lead me to think that it is from Siam. If so, we have another in- 
stance of the close similarity of North American and Eastern Asiatic forms. 
In Siam alone we have a Plethodon, and a form scarcely differing from 
[August, 
NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 339 
Tharnnophis, viz.: Prymnomiodon. Bascanium anthicum is very nearly 
allied to B. constrictor: the only differences are in the outline of the 
front plane iu the former, arched in the latter the more convergent canthus 
rostrales of the latter, and that of coloration. 
Urieehis nigriceps Peters, Homalosoma lutrix, Philothamnus semi- 
variegatus, Bucephalus typus vars. B. C. D., Causus rhombeatus 
and Ciotho a r i e t a n s have been sent to the Academy from Umvoti, Natal, 
by our correspondent, the Rev. Dr. Grout. 
Contia m o d e s t a. 
Ablabes modest us Gunther. 
From Ooroomiah. This species belongs to the same genus as the American C. 
e p i s c o p a and C. m i t i s, which principally differs from the Homalosoma* of 
Africa in a divided anal plate. Perhaps the " Ablabes" with two nasal plates be- 
long to a different genus : at all events the name adopted by most herpetologists 
must give way to Fitzinger's Lycodonomorphus, proposed for the Coronella 
ru f u 1 a long previously, f Fitzinger did not give characters to his genera, on 
which account they ought to be rejected, were it not that it is impossible for 
naturalists to arrive at an agreement as to what constitutes a good, sufficient, 
insufficient, or mil diagnosis. It seems also to be rightly conceded by many, 
that an author cannot change his own name, if it be not preoccupied or false 
in signification. Thus, Wagler's Catostoma should be retained, though he 
afterwards altered it to Geophis (which I overlooked on a former occasion), 
as it is sufficiently distinct from Catostomus. 
Rhoptrura Peters has been suspected by met to be identical with Charina 
Gray, on account of the entrance of the style of structure of the plates as 
described by Dr. Gray, within the extensive range of variation exhibited by 
the latter genus. Prof. Peters has, however, shown that it does not possess 
palatine teeth ; this character at once separates it from all other Peropoda. 
Cryptoblepharus w a h 1 b e r g i i Smith. 
From Umvoti, Southeastern Africa, whence also has been received Euprepis 
vittatus Gray, and a variety which is light olivaceous above ; on each 
side a light band, which is dark-bordered above. Other markings obsolete. 
Gerrhosaurus b i b r o n i i Smith. 
Brown bordered. The internasal plate is very transverse, as figured by 
Wagler in the flavigularis, and widely removed from contact with the 
frontal by the extensive intervention of the contiguous fronto-nasals. Dr. 
Smith figures the latter as separate, and the former in contact, in both species. 
Mancus macrolepis Cope. 
Char. gen. The same as that of Chamaesaura, except in the absence of 
the anterior pair of extremities. Tongue slightly emarginate at the tip. 
The animal upon which this genus is established, so closely resembles 
in generic and specific peculiarities the Chamaesaura anguina, that it 
may be doubted whether it is entitled to the distinction I have proposed 
for it. The question of the disappearance of organs is one of much interest. 
Our impression of the importance of a peculiarity as affecting generic 
or specific rank is derived from consideration of its constancy during 
the adult age of the animal. That the assumption of generic structural 
* Another genus, which only differs from Homalosoma in its more slender tail and 
diacranterian dentition, is Cryptodacus, (Gundlack, Monatsb. Akad. Berlin, 1861, 1002.) 
C. vittatus is found in Cuba; it was described in November. In the following Feb- 
ruary the author introduced it as Arrhyton bivittatum (in Proceed. Philada. Acad.) The 
specimen described wants the dorsal band. 
t Proceed. Acad. Nnt. Sci. Philada., 1860, p. 256. 
t L c, p. 305. 
1862.] 
340 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 
peculiarities* takes place at very different points in the advance of develope- 
ment of animals as compared with each other, all very well know.f If such 
change took place only in case of unusually prolonged life of certain indi- 
viduals, we would have an instance of what we call the undependability of a 
character which we elsewhere rely on. This method of accounting among higher 
groups especially, for this phenomenon (with which students of nature are so 
familiar), may be worthy of being placed side by side with that which looks 
upon it as a state of transition from a condition of inferior to one of supe- 
rior adaptation to peculiar circumstances of life, or with the usual ' ' acci- 
dental variation" subterfuge. The number of toes is justly relied on as a 
safe index to generic groups among Batrachia, Gradientia and Lacertilia, yet 
in Amphiuma its value is very doubtful, and in Chalcides it is not only not 
characteristic of the genus, but fails to be constant in the same species. 
The difference between a limb scarcely developed and one obliterated, pos- 
sesses no greater significance than the same case among the digits ; the genus 
Trichiurus illustrates this. As regards the absent members in the genus 
Mancus, they first appear (i. e. in Chamsesaura) in a condition of compara- 
tively fulldevelopement. The history of the latter process is, however, neces- 
sary in order to determine finally the validity of the separation of the genus 
which I have proposed. 
The position of the two genera is near the Ecpleopodidae, as Dr. Gray 
arranges them. In the Erpetologie Generate, Chamsesaura is one of the 
heterogeneous group called Cyclosaura Ptychopleura. 
Char, specif. Generally as in Chamsesaura a n g u i n a. The plates of 
the head are the same ; they are elongate, especially the interparietal, which 
is bounded on each side by two parietals. The scales are large, very acute 
and strongly keeled, in only twenty-two longitudinal rows on the body, 
(four less than in C. a n g u i n a,) of which the two dorsal are largest. 
Thirty-six transverse series from temple to vent. Eight scales border the 
vent : one femoral pore. Tibia shorter than femur, not terminating in a 
claw, both covered with keeled scales. 
Length of head and body 5 inches 10 lines ; of tail 19 inches 9 lines. 
General color pale brown, whitish beneath, shaded with coppery above. 
Two brown bands extend from the occiput on the outer half of each median 
row and all of the row next exterior, to the end of the tail. A trace of a 
lateral band is seen on the second and third rows below the dorsal. 
This lizard was sent to the Academy of Natural Sciences from Natal, in a collec- 
tion made by the Rev. Mr. Grout. Other species contained in it were Chamaeleo 
d i 1 e p i s Leach, Monitor n i 1 o t i c u s Gray, Stellio capensis Dum. , and 
Agama nigricollis Smith. In the last it may be noted that the liver- 
brown variations enclose three light brown rhombic spaces on the dorsal line. 
General tint above rather dark brown. Fourth toe a trifle longer than third. 
A strong dorso-lateral dermal fold on each side. 
Laeerta strigata Eichw. 
Regarded by Dumeril and Bibron as a variety of L. v i r i d i 3, but believed 
to be distinct by Gray, Berthold and others. The specimen at my disposal 
differs from L. viridis, from the same region and from Italy, in its rela- 
tively smaller head and smaller and more numerous plates of the collar. 
The temporal shields are quite similar. 
Dactylethra la e vis Gthr. 
Rana ?mas carie n s i s D. B. 
General form slender ; head elongate, narrow, muzzle prominent. Distance 
* i. e. Those which illustrate a greater or less advance towards the extreme of diver- 
gence <<f the family series. 
t Vide Synopsis of Holcosus and Ameiva, etc , p. 6. 
[August, 
NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 341 
between external nares and orbit to that between nares and end of snout 
as three to two. Skin without corrugations, but with numerous elongate longi- 
tudinal plicae. Tympanum half the size of the orbit. Ostia pharyngea not 
larger than internal nares. Vomerine teeth in nearly transverse series, com- 
mencing at the anterior margin of the nares. No vocal vesicles. Second finger 
little shorter than fourth ; terminal phalanges, especially of the toes, acute. 
One metatarsal tubercle. Web reaching the base of the antepenultimate pha- 
lanx of the very long fourth digit ; to the penultimate of the others. Length 
of head and body 1 in. 3 lin. ; of posterior extremity 2 in. 1 lin. 
Above brown, with a pale median line from the end of the muzzle, and a 
few darker brown small round spots. Superior labial and frenal regions pale. 
A dark blotch covers the tympanum. Femora and tibiae distantly brown- 
banded. Beneath pure white. 
The specimens at my disposal possesses the peculiarity in the form of the 
terminal phalanges, which is found in the R. hexadactyla and 1 e s c h e- 
n a u 1 1 i i. The R. mascariensis is not recorded as occurring on the 
African continent. 
Dicrog'ossus angustirostris Cope. 
Outlines of muzzle convergent at an acute angle ; the end obtuse, promi- 
nent. Canthus rostralis rounded. Nostrils vertico-lateral. Interorbital space 
a little wider than palpebra. Tympanum small, one-fourth the size of the 
eye. Skin of the upper surfaces coarsely tuberculous. End of first finger 
marking middle of third. Posterior extremities stout ; a tarsal and two meta- 
tarsal tubercles. Toes half palmate. Tongue oval, obcordate. Ostia pha- 
ryngea larger than posterior nares ; the latter very anterior. Muzzle to 
hinder border of tympanum 4 lin. ; tympanum to end of coccyx 10 lin. ; 
length of hinder extremity 1 in. 7 lin. 
General color dark brown, hinder extremities and labial regions varied with 
darker. Below white, a large brown pectoral and several small labial spots. 
Groin pale, brown spotted. 
Dicroglossus adolfi Gthr., the other known species of the genus, is Hini- 
rnelayan. The discovery of the present species extends the range of the genus 
so as to coincide with that of Tomopterna, Bibr. 
Chilophryne dialopha Cope. 
Head broad ; muzzle prominent, conic. Cranium strongly ridged. Pre- and 
postocular, supratympanic, and superciliary ridges well developed, the last 
making a very open angle with that of the canthus rostralis, and sending off 
posteriorly a parietal, which first converges toward that opposite, and then 
runs transversely on the occiput to meet it ; failing in this by a very slight 
interval. A small nuchal pit. Tympanum in contact with postorbital ridge, 
only one-fourth the size of the orbit. Tongue small, narrow, half free ; a 
strong symphyseal tubercle fitting a premaxillary pit. Paratoids large, short, 
subtriangular, lateral. Skin everywhere rigidly rugose, subspinous ou the 
tarsus. The joints of the extremities are pale and appear swollen. Fingers 
slender; first shorter than second, which equals the third. One metacarpal 
tubercle only. Toes short, one-third webbed ; two acute metatarsal tubercles, 
the internal large, incurved, like a flattened spur, yellow, brown tipped. 
Length of head and body 10 lines ; of hinder extremity 12 lines. Above 
dark brown, with a pale vertebral band, on either side of which are two 
blackish dorsal spots, one temporal and one on the canthus rostralis. A black 
band from orbit to angle of mouth. Beneath light brown, blackish shaded. 
This very distinct species is said to have been brought from the Sandwich 
Islands by the American zoologist, John K. Townsend. Museum Academy, 
Philada. 
Hyperolius horstockii Gthr. and H. marmoratus Rapp, have been 
obtained at Umvoti in Natal by the Rev. Dr. Grout. 
1862.] 
342 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF 
Hyperolius concolor. 
Ixalus concolor Hallow., Pr. A. N. S. Philada., 1857, p. 72. 
Heal of medium size, as long as broad ; muzzle not projecting, canthus ros- 
tralis straight, loreal region not concave. Tympanum concealed. Tongue 
large, broadly obpyriform, deeply emarginate. Fingers scarcely palmate, 
two terminal phalanges of fourth toe free. No tubercles or folds on the upper 
surfaces. Length of head and body 1 inch 6 lines ; of hinder extremity 
2 inches. Above dark brown ; the brachium and femur similar to the back. 
No spots or bands. Below brownish white. 
This species does not appear to have been described by Dr. Hallowell. 
Western Africa is its native country. 
Hyperolius cinctiventris Cope. 
Head quite broad ; muzzle truncate ; canthus rostralis concave. Frontal 
region broad, convex ; eyes not very prominent. Tympanum concealed ; 
tongue elongate broad and extensively notched posteriorly. Fingers one- 
fourth, toes half webbed. All the inferior surfaces except the gular, granu- 
late, the median abdominal most coarsely. A strong postgular fold ; another 
surrounds the median abdominal region, including an acute angle at the 
pubic region. A temporo-crural fold. Skin of upper surfaces with distant 
small tubercles. Length of head and body nine lines. Light yellowish brown 
above ; a narrow brown line through the eye. Entire femur and under sur- 
faces of extremities, also the annular space between the abdomen and the 
lateral and gular folds, black. 
Hyperolius spinifrons Cope. 
Tympanum concealed; head not broad, muzzle rounded ; canthus rostralis 
rounded, swollen; nostrils anterior; profile continuous to lip. Tongue ellip- 
tic, deeply nicked ; inner nares widely separated. Skin of upper surfaces 
smooth, except upon the front and muzzle, where it is studded with acute 
tubercles as in the cyprinid genera Ceratichthys, etc. Digits slightly palmate. 
Appressed femur scarcely exceeding elbow. Length of head and body one 
inch. Beneath brownish yellow ; above yellowish brown, with a dark brown 
lateral band between the eye and groin, which is pale bordered anteriorly ; 
also a median band which commences between the eyes, and becomes wider 
and more indistinct posteriorly. Extremities brown, immaculate ; femur not 
paler than tibia ; brachium yellow all round at axilla. 
Hyperolius sugillatus Cope. 
Tympanum concealed. Head very broad, eyelids not much developed ; 
outlines of muzzle convergent, truncate ; profile of its extremity vertical. 
Tongue rounded, broadly emarginate ; ostia pharyngea well developed. Bra- 
chium very short ; fingers slightly, toes three-fifths, webbed. Hinder extre- 
mities long ; appressed femur reaching much beyond elbow. Skin above 
weakly corrugated. Length of head and body one inch. Belly yellow ; 
above straw color, a yellow band extending from end of muzzle to sacral re- 
gion ; it is bounded beneath on the muzzle by a purple line ; there is also 
a purple spot upon each eyelid, (whence the name.) 
The four species of Hyperolius here described as new, and the Crumenifera 
p u s i 1 1 a, formed part of the very valuable collection made by Mr. Grout at 
Umvoti. 
Hyperolius coccotis Cope. 
Muzzle prominent, subacute, canthus rostralis nearly straight. Frontal 
space more than twice the breadth of a palpebra. Tongue as broad as long, 
roundly emarginate. Ostia pharyngea smaller than posterior nares ; tympa- 
num concealed. Skin of the upper surfaces smooth. A supra-axillary fold. 
Coarse granulations posterior to orbit and round canthus of mouth ; abdomen 
[August, 
NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 343 
and femora coarsely areolated. Fingers one-fourth, toes more than half 
webbed. Length of head and body 1 in. 5 lin. ; of hinder extremity 1 in. 
9 lin. Above greenish blue, darkest on the head ; beneath yellowish. 
Crumenifera p u s i 1 1 a Cope. 
Fam. Polypedatidae : characters those of Hyperolius, except in the presence 
of a large vocal vesicle, which is prolonged posteriorly and bound beneath by 
a median frenum, on each side of which a plicate pouch projects deeply into 
the vesicular cavity. 
Head small, muzzle short, truncate ; canthus rostralis concave. Tympanum 
concealed. Tongue obovate, extensively free and deeply notched. Skin above 
smooth ; of the abdomen transversely areolate ; of the femora smooth. Fingers 
one-fourth, toes three-fourths webbed. Many granulations about the angle 
of the mouth. Length of head and body 10 lines ; of hinder extremity 14 
lines. Color (in alcohol) pale straw color ; a faint brown line on the canthus 
rostralis. 
It may be mentioned in this connection, that the genus Heteroglossa of 
Hallowell is a Polypedatid, not a Ranid as has been hitherto supposed. The 
statement regarding mandibular teeth, " nine in the lower jaw," should be 
read "none in the lower jaw." It differs from Hyperolius in the less develope- 
ment of the digital expansions and greater tenuity of the median attachment 
of the tongue. 
Neurergus crocatus Cope. 
Of the family Salamandridse of the British Museum Catalogue,* and sub- 
family Tritonime (Pleurodelidcc Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1858, 137), and second 
section, where the fronto-temporal arch is replaced by a ligament. There is 
a line of pores on the inferior lateral region ; paratoids present, small ; skin 
rough ; tail much compressed ; tongue free laterally and posteriorly. 
This genus resembles Hemisalamandra (Duges not Cope ; Pyronicia Gray 
part.) in every particular except the form of the tongue; in this it is similar to 
Euproctus and Glossoliga ; it has not the fronto-temporal arch of these, 
nor the os quadrato-jugale of the latter. Lissotritou differs in wanting para- 
toids. The head is depressed as in Salamandra maculosa, but the muzzle is 
more rounded, as in Amblystoma. The eyelids are slightly developed. The 
palatine teeth are in two widely divergent series, whose angle of convergence 
is opposite to the posterior borders of the interior nares. The latter are widely 
separated. The skin of the sides is rather corrugated. The digits are all 
depressed, without fringe and rather elongate ; the third and fourth posterior 
are equal. The anterior extremity appressed, extends to the heel of the ap- 
* The system adopted by Dr. Gray in the work alluded to, ia evidently the true one. 
The separation of the Spelerpine from the Amblystomidae as a group of equal rank with 
it, as proposed by the author of the present notice, is unnatural. Dr. Gray's later 
arrangement of the Salamandrida? (Salamandrina Cope) supplies a grrat desideratum, 
which the author attempted later and in ignorance of the menv>ir of the English savant. 
On reviewing my former work in connection with the new light furnished by Dr. Gray, 
the following seems to be the nearest approximation to truth to which I can arrive at 
present : 
Tritonina? {Triiones Cope, PleurodelidcE Gray.) Genera Pleurodeles, Glossoliga, No- 
tophth.ilma (this genus I now believe to be distinct from the next,) Cynops (incl. Taricha 
Gray), Euproctus (incl. Calotriton Gray), Lophinus Raf. (incl. Ommatolriton Gray, equiva- 
lent to Triton, lOmmatolriton Cope, exclus.T. a 1 pest r is), Lissotriton (wants the para, 
toids of Hemisalamandra; is not characterized by the freedom of the tongue posteriorly ;* 
includes Hemitritnn Duges, Gray, a 1 p e s t r i s, in which I find a lateral line of pores,t) 
Neurergus, Hemisalamandra (Triton ^Triton Cope, Pyronicia Gray,) Triton {Hemisala- 
mandra Cope) : ten genera. 
* As stated Proc Acad. Nat. Sci., 1859, p. 127. 
(" In specimens labelled by Bonaparte; they are stated by Dr. Gray to be wanting, 
1862.] 
344 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 
pressed hinder limb. Soles smooth ; tarsus very broad. Tail longer than 
head and body, not much elevated, compressed, subcylindrical at base; 
a slight rudiment of a crest. Total length 6 inches 6 lines ; of tail 3 inches 
6 lines. 
General color above brownish black ; this is everywhere relieved by large 
oval yellow spots ; of the latter those on the inferior lateral region are more 
or less confluent with the deep saffron of the abdomen. Chin and median 
line of tail beneath rather paler than belly. 
The following verbal communication should have been inserted 
'& 
under date of August 5th : 
Mr. Cope called attention to a curious Cuban Bufonid (Peltaphyrne empusa) 
for the possession of which the Academy was indebted to Professor Philipe Poey 
of Havana. The genus, which had not been previously characterized, differed 
from Bufo and Chilophryne as did Trachycephalus from Hyla among tree- 
toads ; i. e. in the dermo-osseous coating of the head. Thus two of the pre- 
dominant genera of the regio neotropica are represented in this insular portion 
of it by types differing from them in the same manner. The continental por- 
tion of the region is known to abound in forms characterized by peculiar 
dermo-ossifications. Such are its Batrachian genera Calyptocephalus, Brachy- 
cephalus, Ceratophrys, Phrynocerus ; its Alligatoridae, its Goniodontidae, and 
shielded Nematognathi. 
In P. e m p u s a the ossification was more extensive than in P. p e 1 1 o c e- 
p h a 1 a, and in one respect was farther developed than in the genera Phryno- 
cerus and Ceratophrys ; inasmuch as a broad bridge connected the mastoid 
and quadrato-jugal regions, extending posterior to the tympanum. The 
covering-in of the maxillo-quadrate sinus was a degree of ossification in both 
species of Peltophryne not observed in the two genera mentioned ; nor did it 
possess the (?) crotaphite foramen exhibited by them. Externally in the latter 
region the dermo-ossification was like that of Ceratophrys d o r s a t a, and less 
extensive than in Phrynocerus testudiniceps. 
The prominence of the superior labial border, and other points of physiog- 
nomy, produced a peculiar grotesqueness in the expression of the animal, 
which suggested the trivial name. The following diagnosis was offered : 
Supraorbital ridges very prominent, not crenate, presenting a posterior pro- 
cess. Postorbital and supra-tympanic processes prominent, obtuse ; preorbital 
straight, more acute. Canthus rostrales acute, converging so as to produce a 
very acute angle ; their profile very declive, that of the muzzle more so, but 
not perpendicular. Maxillary region oblique from a front view ; the labial 
border forming a prominent rim, which is thickened and everted posteriorly. 
Two occipital knobs on each side. Tympanum small, one-fourth or one-third 
the length of the palpebral border in diameter. Paratoid gland small, rounded, 
lateral, studded with warts ; the dorsal region is similarly studded, most 
abundantly anteriorly. Sides, extremities and gular region covered with 
smaller warts ; belly areolate. One large oval flat metacarpal tubercle ; a 
large one at the base of the interior digit. Two metatarsal tubercles ; the 
interior most elongate and acute, blackish brown. A short, thickened, internal 
tarsal fold. Toes half-webbed, palm slightly rugose. 
Length from end of muzzle to tympanum 11 lines ; of antebrachium and 
hand, 14 - 5 lines ; axilla to vent, 2 inches ; vent to end of fourth toe, 3 inches 
1 line. 
The head is brown ; color elsewhere brownish yellow ; on the nape and sides 
marbled with deep brown, somewhat oblique-longitudinally on the latter 
region. Limbs cross-banded with brown. 
[August,