_Dentibus palatinis prominentibus, in fasciculis binis ovatis obliquis
dispositis; lingua rotunda integrâ; glandulis lumborum ovalibus,
valdè convexis; digitis posticis haud palmatis; dorso
tuberculato-glanduloso, fusco, nigro obscurè maculato, fasciâ
longitudinali pallidâ._
Habitat, Valparaiso, Valdivia, and Archipelago of Chiloe.
DESCRIPTION.—Head semi-elliptic, as broad as long. Muzzle rounded.
Eyes very slightly prominent. Tongue large, round, entire, very
thick. Palatine teeth prominent, disposed in two oval groups,
extending obliquely backwards and inwards, but separated by a
considerable interval. Body somewhat depressed and elongated, with
many prominent glandular tubercles, and with pores about the
parotid region. Lumbar glands of moderate size, of an elongated
oval form, and very convex. Legs rather slender, the anterior feet
with the third toe considerably the longest; a small tubercle
under each joint of all the toes, and several small inconspicuous
ones on the palm; hinder legs rather elongated, the toes long,
particularly the fourth, the first very short; a small tubercle
under each joint; the inner metatarsal tubercle prominent, the
outer one inconsiderable.
COLOUR.—The markings of this species are very elegant and striking.
The ground colour of the upper parts is a rich brown, with darker
cloudings and marks; a light yellowish longitudinal line running
all the length from the nose to the extremity of the body, a very
irregular fascia on each side of the same colour enclosing a brown
oblong spot on the upper lip, another just behind the tympanum,
and two others on the sides; there is also a brown fascia from the
extremity of the nose to each eye; the lumbar glands are black and
yellow, distinctly marked. The limbs are obscurely banded with
brown and pale yellowish. The colours in some specimens are more
obscure than in that figured, and they appear to lose their
clearness with age.
The following are the colours of the brighter individuals according to
the observations of Mr. Darwin:—“Yellowish and broccoli-brown,
with darker brown marks; broad medial dorsal line, pale gallstone
yellow; lumbar glands saffron yellow and jet black.” Another
specimen was “ash-grey with blackish brown marks.”
DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length of the head and body 1 8
of the anterior extremities 1 0
of the posterior extremities 2 4
The general habit of this species is much more in accordance with its
relation to the _Ranidæ_ than that of the other species of the genus.
Its general form is more elongated and depressed, and the limbs,
particularly the hinder ones, are longer in proportion to the body. It
is certainly very near _Pl. Bibronii_ of Tschudi, but still undoubtedly
distinct.