PYXICEPHALUS ADSPERSUS.
Teeth rather strong, closely set, and slightly curved inwards; the lower jaw
anteriorly has three prominent triangular processes, the intermediate one the
shortest, and all three, when the jaws are closed, are received into depressions
in the upper formed to admit them. Palatal teeth in two small clusters, one
in front of the inner extremity of the internal opening of each nostril. The
anterior extremities are short and nearly cylindrical, the toes four, strong,
conical, and very short, the outermost the longest, and the innermost but one
the shortest. The hinder extremities are powerful, but short when compared
with the size of the frog; toes five, cylindrical and tapered to a point, the
second, reckoning from the outside of the foot, very long, the first and third
of equal length and much shorter, the other two very short; all connected at
their base by a rudimentary web. Immediately posterior to the inner toe,
particularly of the hinder feet, there is a large and hard compressed tubercle
with the edge directed towards the middle of the foot rather sharp, somewhat
keeled, and the under surface of each of the joints of the toes are cushioned
with a pulpy granule or tubercle more or less developed. Tympanum nearly
circular, about four lines in diameter, and situated directly over the angle of
the mouth. The surface of the head, back, sides, and outer parts of the
hinder extremities is rough and granular, and between the granulations of the
hindhead, back, and sides, the skin is in various places puckered, so as to form
prominent longitudinal rugae, as represented in plate. The granulations on the
hinder portion of the back and on the posterior extremities, especially towards
the body, are larger and less numerous than on the other parts where they
occur. The fore legs, the inner surface of the hinder legs, and the under
parts of the head and body smooth. Tongue large, ovate, and deeply emar-
ginate behind. Length of hinder legs 6, of fore legs 3 inches. Length of
head and body 5^ inches; width of head posteriorly 3, of body inches
This frog is far from being generally diffused in South Africa, although it exists in localities
very distant from each other. The only individuals I found within the colony were towards the
eastern boundary, where it was familiarly spoken of by the inhabitants under the name
of u Bull Frog,” so called from the strength and hoarseness of the sounds it emits, particularly
during the night. It lives generally in water, and is only seen in it, or at least in its
immediate vicinity. The inhabitants report it to appear only during the rainy season, and
at other times, from there being no water, in ' the localities where they observe it existing
during the period mentioned, they are of opinion that it conceals itself in the mud which
remains after the water disappears, and that it continues in it till called forth afresh by a renewed
supply of water. No opportunity occurred to me of testing the accuracy of the conclusion,
therefore I would only observe, I have seen probably fifty in a temporary pool of water, and at
a great distance from any spot where water existed during the entire of the year,