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CHAr. XIX.] . EEPTILES. 423
regions is well shown in this group, by the Phryniscidse,
Hylidae, and Discoglossidse, which present allied forms in both ;
as well as by the genus Liopelma of New Zealand, allied to
tlie Bombinatoridse of South America, and the absence of the
otherwise cosmopolitan genus Rana from both continents. The
affinity of the Nearctic and Palaearctic regions is shown by the Pro-
teidte, which are confined to them, as well as by the genus Triton
and almost the whole of the extensive family of the Salaman-
dridse. The other regions are also well differentiated, and there
is no sign of a special Ethiopian Amphibian fauna extending
over the peninsula of India, or of the Oriental and Palsearctic
regions merging into each other, except by means of genera of
universal distribution.
Fossil Amphibia.—The extinct Labyrinthodontia form a separ-
ate order, which existed from the Carboniferous to the Triassic
period. No other remains of this class are found tdl we reach
the Tertiary formation, when Newts and Salamanders as well
as Frogs and Toads occur, most frequently in the Miocene de-
posits. The most remarkable is the Andrias scheuchzeri from
the Miocene of (Eningen, which is allied to Sieholdia maxima
the great salamander of Japan.
Vol. II.—28