Of this species, which has been described under different names by many
naturalists, and the synonymy of which has only lately been cleared up
by Mons. Bibron, there exist numerous specimens in the collection of Mr.
Darwin, who found it at Buenos Ayres, and also in the Archipelago of
Chonos, on the west coast of South America. It is certainly remarkable
that the same species should be found on the opposite sides of the
Continent; but on a careful examination I do not find any specific
distinctions between the specimens from the different localities. The
Prince de Wied has described it as found at Brazil, under the name of
_Bufo cinctus_, and it is also well known as having been repeatedly
procured in Peru and in Chile; but Mons. Bibron has in his work
considered them all as belonging to but one species. The following
account of its habits as given by Mr. Darwin is very curious and
interesting:—“These Toads are exceedingly abundant all over the treeless
damp mountains of granite, crawling about, and eating during the
daytime, and making a noise similar to that which is commonly used in
England to quicken horses. Many of them on being touched close their
eyes, arch their back, and draw up their legs (as if the spinal marrow
was divided), probably as an artifice. They are remarkable from their
curious manner of running like the Natter Jack of England; they scarcely
ever jump, neither do they crawl like a toad, but run very quickly.
Their bright colours give them a very strange appearance. They abound at
an elevation of 500 to 2500 feet.”
GENUS—PHRYNISCUS.
PHRYNISCUS NIGRICANS. _Weigm._