_Dentibus palatinis in serie transversâ, medio interruptâ, dispositis;
membris posterioribus corpore cum capite duplò longioribus; pedibus
posticis gracillimis, semipalmatis._
_Rana Delalandii_, Bibr. Hist. Rept. VIII. p. 388.
DESCRIPTION.—Head elongate, depressed. Eyes large, not prominent.
Tympanum nearly round. Palatine teeth in two simple series,
commencing at the inner side of the anterior margin of the
posterior nares, and extending towards each other in a transverse
direction, leaving between them a space of about half the length
of each. Tongue not quite as long as it is broad. Body somewhat
depressed, and with the head forming an almost uninterrupted
ellipse. Skin of the back, with several small longitudinal folds.
Anterior legs, when placed against the sides, reaching to the
thigh. Fingers very slender, and of nearly equal length. Posterior
limbs fully twice as long as the head and body. Toes extremely
long and slender, and connected by a membrane by about half their
length.
COLOUR.—The general colour of the upper parts is a rich brown, with
darker brown and white markings. A white median fascia extends the
whole length of the head and body; another fascia of the same
colour and of very irregular figure on each side, passes backwards
and downwards from above the shoulders, and loses itself in the
pale colour of the abdomen. There are several smaller white lines
and spots, and others of a dark rich brown, particularly a large
mark of the latter colour behind the eye, including the tympanum.
The thighs and legs are elegantly banded with similar colours. The
under side is whitish.
DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length of the head and body 1 8
of anterior extremities 1 1
of posterior ditto 3 7
This species was first discovered at the Cape of Good Hope by M.
Delalande, and named after him by Mons. Bibron. Mr. Darwin found it in
the same locality. It is now figured for the first time.