The tailless batrachians of Europe (Page 194) (Pelobates fuscus)

Description:

198 PELOEATID^.
smooth, and the dermo-ossification, as it develops,
produces granular asperities which may become con-
fluent into alveolar ridges, producing a pitted appear-
ance. In very old specimens the sutures between the
nasals, the ethmoid, and the fronto-parietal may become
obliterated.
Vomers rather large, variable in shape, extending
or not to the palatines, which are strongly ossified.
On the palatal side the ethmoid extends posteriorly to
about the middle of the length of the parasphenoid.
Latter large, J_- shaped, its anterior pointed extremity
produced to between the palatines. Pterygoids not
reaching the palatines, extensively in contact with
the parasphenoid. Stapes absent.
Mento-Meckelian or symphysial bones distinct on
the inner side only.
Hyoid a large broad cartilaginous plate, with slender
postero-lateral processes anterior processes much
expanded and confluent with the lateral wings, en-
closing a small fenestra; ceratohyal cornua with
short posterior portion detached from the body of
the hyoid thyrohyals large, massive, in contact at
the base, diverging and more or less expanded poste-
riorly.
Vertebral column once and a half to twice as long
as the skull. Spine closed above, the neural arch
produced posteriorly into a strong median process
between the zygapophyses. Three anterior diapo-
physes strong and long, especially the second, which
bears a more or less distinct dorsal knob or process
as on the corresponding rib of Discoglossus^ — the first
directed obliquely forwards, the second and third
nearly horizontal; the following short and slender,
directed forwards. Sacral vertebra with very strongly
dilated diapophyses, the transverse diameter of which
is twice and a half to nearly three times in the axial
urostyle short, not longer than the sacral wings, and
fused with the sacrum, to the diapophyses of which
its anterior portion contributes if these processes be