Descriptions of new species of reptiles, collected by the U.S. Exploring Expedition, under the command of Capt. Charles Wilkes, U.S.N. / by Charles Girard.

  • Charles Frédéric Girard
Date:
[1857]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Descriptions of new species of reptiles, collected by the U.S. Exploring Expedition, under the command of Capt. Charles Wilkes, U.S.N. / by Charles Girard. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    LhseriptioHs of new species of Reptiles, collected by the XT. S. Exploring Expedi- tion, binder the command of Capt. Charles Wildes, U, S. iV. Second Part.—IncludiHg tlie species of Batrachians, exotic to North America, By Charles Girard. Taking for our guidance the structure of the vomerine or palatine teeth, that of the tympanum and tongue, w e have been led to subdivide the genus Cy.itigna- thus as understood byDumeril and Bibron, in the Erpetologie generale. The structure of the fingers 'and toes have afforded accessory characters which are not to be neglected, although comparatively less important. Leptodacttlus, Fiti—Vomerine teeth disposed in tviro transverse series, each constituting either an angular arch or a regular curve, and situated behind the inner nostrils. Tongue slightly notched posteriorly. Tympanum very distinct. Toes either provided with a rudimentary membrane or entirely free. Obs Leptodactyj^us ocellatus, Fitz. (C ocellatiis, Dum. and B.), L. i^a- BYRiNTHiCHS {liana labyrinthica, Spix; C. Iahyrinfhic7is, Dum. and B.), and L. TYPHONins, Fitz. (C. typhonius, Durn. and B.), belong to this genus. Cystigmathus, Wagl.—Vomerine teeth disposed upon a transverse or oblique row, more or less interrupted in the middle, and situated either between the inner nostrils or behind them. Tongue circular, subcircular or subcordiform, posteriorly entire, and either attached by its whole surface, or very slightly free behind. Tympanum distinct. Toes either bordered by a membranous fold or slightly webbed at their base. Obs,—Cystignathus macroglossus, C. gracilis and C. roseus of Dumeril and Bibron will remain in this genus. Plburodema, Tsch.—Vomerine teeth disposed in two oblong groups situated between the inner nostrils. Tongue subcircular, either slightly emarginated or entire posteriorly. Tympanum indistinct. Toes either entirely free, or else provided with a rudimentary membrane at their base or along their margin. Skin pustulous or granular ; sometimes a large lumbar gland on each side. Ob.u—Plburodema arunco (Bnfo anmeo, Schn.) ; P. birroni, Tsch. (C bibroni, Dum. and B.) ; P. btjfohium. Bell; P. darwinii. Bell j P. elegan?, Bell, and P. nodosa (C. 7iodosus, Dum and B.), constitute anolher generic group. Cri.nia, Tsch.—Vomerine teeth either absent or else existing in a rudimentary state. Tongue elongated, subelliptical, posteriorly entire, or very slightly emarginate. Tympanum indistinct or hidden under the skin. Eustachian tubes very small. Fingers and toes subcylindrical, tapering to a point and perfectly free. Obs.—This genus as characterized above, may not meet with the approba- tion of Erpetologists, as combining species deprived of vomerine teeth and others possessing but very few of them. Indeed, if we had more than one species differing from the others in similar characters, we should not hesitate to make two genera in the following manner: Crinia, Tsch—Vomerine teeth few, constituting two groups at the posterior margm of the inner nostrils. Tongue entire, oblong. Tympanum not very dis- tinct. Eustachian tubes quite small. Fingers and toes without membrane.— Crinia georoiana, Tscb.J
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