BUFO GARIEPENSIS.
about the same length as the outermost, if measured from their origin to the
point. At the base of the innermost toe there is a large ovate sub-conical
tubercle, and a smaller and narrower one behind the same part of the outer
one; there is, also, a row of small prominent tubercles along the under
surface of each of the toes. The posterior extremities are moderately long and
rather slender; the outermost and the third toes are of equal length; the
fourth is rather shorter, and the fifth somewhat shorter than the fourth ; the
second, or the one next to the outermost toe, nearly double the length of the
first and third. The under surface of the feet with rows of small conical
tubercles; those on the toes largest. Besides these tubercles, there are two
others, rather larger; one behind the base of the outermost, the other of the
innermost toe,—both are compressed, conical, and prominent, the one behind
the innermost toe the largest. The upper surface of the head and anterior
part of the back smooth ; the middle of the back studded with rather large,
oblong, somewhat depressed tubercles ; and the hinder part of the back and
the sides rough from closely set, small, hemispherical ones. The outer and
hinder surface of the posterior extremities indistinctly tubercular. The hinder
portion of the belly, the pubic region, and the under surface of the thighs,
granular; the remainder of the under part smooth. Length from point of
nose to anus, one inch and a half.
Several specimens of this species were procured on the banks of the Orange (Gariep)
river. The form of the parotid glands, the size of the tubercles of the back, the absence of
granulations on the greater portion of the under parts, the want of a linear projecting margin
to the inner edge of the tarsus, and the constant presence of small blackish-green freckles on
the breast and anterior part of the belly, furnish characters by which Bufo Gariepensis is
readily to be distinguished from Bufo Bantkerinus,—a species nearly allied to it.
The individual represented in the Plate is the largest which has come under my observation.
I am disposed to believe it had reached maturity, as others of different sizes, some
only a little, others much smaller, were procured in the locality where it was obtained.