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Ny 4 Plt ‘ 1 iene fh te wads AWaeiet ae Lew ' . t rh Me a ‘ dab ‘ H 4 sped iyo ied ae Pe ere Lee oe ‘ { Het bet Deo 8h tal et a Ie hid add ab ay TOA ATR Ghai gi avail rela MH PRA te 8 Om Ogee tl an? the 1 | os Onl ‘, rer i ; aiyh Pre ee Ge a ea or ‘ 44 rs 4 id hea f . 4 us Muage Nia Se. Lv lewd vrpwmndetiabe pmiew saahs abet ; i we Liphgadew ah ies Teed ad tat cata ld per ie ma ie eed cnet See od tell N Ni SS NN MAAN 2) 109) CY ss a GENERAL ZOOLOGY, — OF’ OST. S THEMATIC o>VATORAL HISTORY GEORGE 5S HAW,M.D.F-.R.S.&c. WITH FLATES from the first Authorities and most select specimens C2 - O pegraved, CCPL Y/ oP M*® HEATH. coe D Lars VOL.UM.Part I. AM FEY Roo A. SE ne. London. Printed for G.Kearsley Fleet Street. a 18 O2. Nee aa h TA vi i N PAW FN ee pee 5a ‘ re ty itt i . SER Tae Ob b Ss J/ : ean / Cat GENERAL ZOOLOGY. VOLUME Il.——PART If. AMPHIBIA. LONDON. PRINTED BY THOMAS DAVISON, WHITE-FRIARS. 4 ; 1802. nN sles Wap swan Vin A mercayptar SS te BY (sali re f' K ae oA x th Bt wt He ele 8 a ie Sa 2 he een Pe BN Pes OF VOL. II.—-PART I. ~ Auurcator Basilisk , 4 Crocodile, common black Alligator Gangetic Chameleon, common African —_—_—_——— little Draco GENUS Dragon, flying Frog, common ., —— green - —— peeping ° : -—— Bull . : -——— Argus : : 192 206 184 191 192 197 259 262 263 177 1f¢ 97 103 105 106 108 Frog, lineated oval studded blue . —— vespertine —— laughing thirsty Leverian — fire ° wy, — saline paradoxical Zebra scaly... —— white-leaf chesnut —— fasciated tree Merian orange tinging e spiny-footed > o ry blue and yellow . £12 115 115 116 120 123 125 126 127 128 129 130 123 134 135 CONTENTS. 1V Frog, white ‘ {936 bilineated . 136 punctated 137 — black-striped 137 Galliwasp . 288 Gecko, common 264: Geckotte » NOG perfoliated . 268 Mauritanic . 269 Chinese . 270 white-striped 27 1 fimbriated of SEZ four-toed 27 5 ———‘scollop-tailed . 276 'Schrteiderran 278 Sparmann’s 279 spitting 279 Guana, common 199 horned .. Oe : Amboina 203 LACERTA GENUS 183 Lizard ; Galeote 208 — American Galeote 210 bicarinated yl de) monitory 214 spine-tailed 216 sharp-tailed 218 Dracena TTS j~————— supercilious . 220 ———- scutated , main Lee ~——— smooth-crested 222 ————= strumous Pai a4 Lizard, marbled . Umbre . Pelluma ‘ azure Cordyle . rough angulated —— orbicular —+— green variegated red-headed Ameiva striped . four-striped ribbon . ——— six-lined fasciated five-lined ° punctated red-throat —— red-tailed lobe-cheeked sun-gazing Turkish . broad-tailed Plica Nilotic . Tiliguerta desert . argute Algerine ——— swift ri Ural Seps . Chalcides annulated, do. ——- serpent . 825 226 257 227 228 229 230 231 232 235 236 237 238 239 239 24.0 241 241 242 24:2 24.4: 244 245 246 247 248 249 24.9 250 250 251 Q51 252 252 305 307 307 Lizard, anguine ———apodal . : —— biped lumbriciform . Newt, common water, great 4 —— water, common water, Leverian water, spotted RANA GENUS Salamander Trstupo GENUS Tortoise, common marginated etna geometrical —————— radiated Indian wrinkled speckled mud carinated close sulcated tabular concentric painted spotted elegant areolated serrated little. ‘ tricarinated CONTENTS 308 309 311 OLY 201 NI rae Tortoise, rough . ‘ lettered : ~ galeated ‘ denticulated Pensylvanian long-necked Caspian fieres’. é chagrin : fimbriated. snake . —- scaly Scink, officinal long-tailed , Mabouya . : spotted ocellated Turtle, coriaceous i [mane green Loggerhead imbricated A - green-shelled Trunk ——--— Rhinoceros Toad, common . $ alliaceous . , —— mephitic —— Natter-Jack —— green ‘ ——— marine A ' —— doubtful . . —— mitred ‘ , —— Brasilian . : creater i a 138 146 149 152 153 155 Loy 159 160 Vi Toad, granulated ee —— short-headed per ones horned Pipa indistinct headless e 161 162 167 170 171 172 CONTENTS. Toad, Carolina —— black-lipped Cae eee crescent Arunco yellow 73 174 174 - 175 176 N.B. In vol. If. part 17. at page 329, 1. 10, for feet read bands. P. 153, !. 12, for Aypuchondiorum read hypfochondriorum. ERRATA.—VOL. III. PART I. P, 222, 1. 15, for integerinea read integerrima. part I, at page 708, L. 15, for before read the fore, And in yol, E. Directions for placing the Plates in vol. IIL. part L. The Vignette represents a remarkable species of Lizard (perhaps a variety of L. Seps) in its’ natural size: colour dark brown above, yellowish beneath: feet all tetradactyle, with the two middle toes on each foot long, the others very short, all fur- nished with claws. \ Fiate 1 to face page’ 9 Plate 28 toface page 96 2 —— 20 29 ————__ 97 3 25 30 ————._ 102 4: 28 31 ——— 103 5 ——— 30 32 ————._ 105 6 32 330" 1106 7 36 34 ————— _ 108 8 Al 35 ——- _ 116 9 ——- 43 ' 36 ——.—- 120 10 —————_-—- 45 37 ————_ 123 11 ———_— 54 38 ————_ 130 12 ————-__ 56 39 ———— 133 13 ———-_ 59 40 —————~ _ 138 14 ———__—_—‘ 60 41 —————_ 146 15 —— 61 42 ———— 147 16 ————.__ 62 43 ————— 149 17 ———__ 64 44. —————— 155 ee al 45 =" _. 159 19 ————._ 72 46 ———— 160 20 ———_—_/76_—sI| 47 ————_ 161 7 48 ———-~. 162 22 ————-_ 80 49 ———— 163 23 —— 83 50 ————._ 167 24 —————-__ 88 51 ———— 168 25 —— 8&8 52 ——— 170 26 ———-_ 89 53 — 173 27 ee 54 ee «177 Directions for placing the Plates. Plate 55 to face page 184 Plate 71 to face page 231 56 ————_ 186 FQ" 232 57 ———— _ 188 | 73 ————-—— 935 58 —————-_ 189 (4) CG 59 ————_192 5 ——— 237 60 ———— 197 76 ————__ 253 6t eo 77 ———— 264 62 ————._.203 78 ——-— _ 276 63 ———— 206 79 ———— __ 281 64 ————_ 208 80 ———— 285 65 ——— 2il $81 ———— 289. 6s a ain, meena Ta 67 ———— 218 $3 ————__ 208 Sree O4 84 ———— 305 69 ———— 227 3. ee eo ee 36 |: ge *,™* The fourth and succeeding volumes of this work will be published with all reasonable expedition. Ma NOP fD B14. The title Amphibia applied to this class of ani- mals by Linneus, may perhaps be considered as not absolutely unexceptionable ; the power of liv- ing with equal facility both in land and water being not granted to all the animals which com- pose it. Yet, since it is certain that the major part are found to possess that faculty in a consider- able degree, the title may be allowed to continue. The Amphibia, from the peculiar structure of their organs, and the power which they possess of suspending respiration at pleasure, can not only support a change of element uninjured, but can also occasionally endure an abstinence which would infallibly prove fatal to the higher order of animals. It has been a general doctrine among anato- mists, that the hearts of the Amphibia were, in the technical phrase, unilocular, or furnished with only one ventricle or cavity: a doctrine main- tained by many eminent anatomists, and, in ge- _ neral, assented to by the greatest physiologists, as ¥. 211. P. 1. 1 9 AMPHIBIA. Boerhaave, Haller, &c. &c. and only occasionally called in question on viewing in some animals of this tribe a seemingly different structure. Thus the French Academicians of the seventeenth cen- tury pronounce the heart of an Indian land tor- toise, which they examined, to have, in reality, three ventricles instead of one. Linnzus, in his Systema Nature, acquiesces in the general doc- trine, and accordingly makes it a character of this class of animals. Among later physiologists, however, there are not wanting some who think it more correct to say, that the hearts of the Am- phibia are in reality double, or furnished with two ventricles, with a free or immediate communica- tion between them. The lungs of the Amphibia differ widely in their appearance from those of other animals; consist- ing, in general, of a pair of large bladders or mem- branaceous receptacles, parted, in the different species, into more or fewer cancelli or subdivi- sions, among which are beautifully distributed the pulmonary Blogele vessels, which bear but a small proportion to the vesicular part through which they ramify ; whereas, in the lungs of the Mam- malia, so great is the proportion of the blood- vessels, and so very small are the vesicles, or air- cells, that the lungs have a fleshy rather than a membranaceous appearance. In the Amphibia, therefore, the vesicular system may be said greatly to prevail over the vascular ; and in the Mammalia or warm-blooded animals, the vascular system ad prevail over the vesicular. AMPHIBIA. * 3 Many of the Amphibia are possessed of a high degree of reproductive power, and will be fur- nished with new feet, tails, &c. when those parts have by any accident been destroyed. Many are highly beautiful in their colours, as well as ele- gant in their forms; while others, on the con- trary, are, in the common acceptation of the words, extremely deformed, and of unpleasing colours. Their bodies are sometimes defended by a hard, horny shield or covering; sometimes ra- ther by a coriaceous integument; sometimes by scales, and sometimes have no particular defence or coating; the skin being merely marked by soft, pustular warts or protuberances, more or less vi- sible in the different species. The bones of the Amphibia, except in a very few instances, are of a more cartilaginous nature than in either the Mammalia or Birds: many spe- cies are destitute of ribs, while others have those parts very numerous: some are furnished with for- midable teeth; others are toothless: some are fierce and predacious; other inoffensive. Few, except among the Serpent tribe, are of a poisonous nature; the general prejudice against them hav- ing arisen rather on account of their form, than from any real poisonous quality; but among the Serpents we meet with some species possessed of the most dreadful poison, as well as with the power of applying it with fatal force to the ani- mals which they attack. The number of poison- ous Serpents is, however, not so great as was for- merly imagined; perhaps not more than a sixth 4 AMPHIBIA. part of the whole number of known species being of that character. Among no animals do we meet with beings of a more singular form than in the Amphibia; some of which present appearances so unusual, so gro- tesque, and so formidable, that even the imagina- tion of the poet or painter can hardly be supposed to exceed the realities of Nature. The Amphibia in general are extremely tena- cious of life, and will continue to move, and exert many of their animal functions, even when de- prived of the head itself. The experiments which have been occasionally made on these subjects, can hardly be recited without horror. The natural life of some of the Amphibia, more particularly of the Tortoise tribe, is extremely long; and even to the smaller tribes of Frogs and Lizards a con- siderable space seems allotted. The same is also highly probable with respect to the Serpent tribe. By far the major part of the Amphibia are ovi- parous, some excluding eggs covered with a hard or calcareous shell, like those of birds; others such as are covered only with a tough skin, re- sembling parchment; and in many they are per- fectly gelatinous, without any kind of external covering, as in the spawn of the common Frog. Some few are viviparous; the eggs first hatching internally, and the young being afterwards ex- ‘cluded in their perfect form, as in the Viper, &c. &c. In cold and temperate climates, most of the Amphibia pass the winter in a torpid state ; and that sometimes in a degree of cold which would seem AMPHIBIA. 5 but il calculated for the preservation of animal life. The common large water-newt in particu- Jar is said to have been occasionally found com- pletely imbedded in large masses of ice, in which it must have remained inclosed for a very consider- able period; and yet, on the dissolution of the ice, has been restored to life. The Amphibia may be divided into four distri- butions, viz. Testudines, Rane, Lacerte*, and Serpentes ; or Tortoises, Frogs, Lizards, and Ser- pents. ; The animals belonging to the three former of these divisions constitute the order entitled Rrp- TILIA, containing the Amphibia Pedata, or Footed Amphibia. The last division, or that of Serpents, constitutes the order SERPENTES, containing the Amphibia Apoda, or Footless Amphibia. * The genus Draco is here supposed, in a general view, to be included among the Lizards, though in the strictness of systematic arrangement, it must be separated from them. i ies bag areas ca ee i 1 ere : iv i 2 ; : Pi fr K ; Fd bs iC: nah ) Ne vs i R 7 i ef ei Ay ie 3) a ) i ay jor toate Re ee eS ‘ , ! 7 j ‘ = ay : yee icy, haat Ras Ae te te ai ‘Li foebigle § ‘ / “a MAL % i 1 if Ae ‘ NL . Igo) " f is f } t i fe $y F y i ) ‘ae dias BE 4 ies , ar ro die , Vv a AM PHA TB? A. ORDER rer et tar. TESTUDO. TORTOISE. Generic Character. Corpus caudatum, lorica os- || Body defended by a bony co- sea aut coriacea superne et|} vering coated by a horny, inferne, vel squamis su-|| scaly, or coriaceous inte~ perne obtectum. gument. Oris mandibula superiore in- || Mouth without distinct or feriorem pyxidum instar|| proper teeth*? the upper claudens. _ mandible closing over the lower. ly no branch of Natural History have more er- rors prevailed than in the attempt to discriminate with precision the several species of Tortoises ; the general similarity being very great, and the indi- viduals occasionally varying much in size, colours, * What are called teeth in the generality of Tortoises are no other than the serratures of the mandibles. S TORTOISE. &c. according to the different periods of their growth. 7 The specific characters given by Linnezus, in the Systema Nature, are proved, from later ob- servations, to be entirely insufficient for the pur-" pose of accurate distinction; and the same must be said of those in the Gmelinian edition of that work. The descriptions of the Count de Cepede, in his History of Oviparous Quadrupeds, have by no means tended to dispel the general obscurity, but have in some instances rather increased it; and throughout almost all authors will be found to prevail a confusion of synonyms and references. Mr. Schneider, Mr. Schoepff, and some others, have lately endeavoured to elucidate this difficult genus, and have contributed to asomewhat clearer knowledge of the species and varieties. .One ob- servation of Mr. Schoepffs is of peculiar import- ance, and may save zoological students a consi- derable degree of unnecessary trouble, viz. that the apparent number of claws or projecting ex- tremities on the feet of the marine tortoises or turtles, appears to be no certain criterion of the species; but, on the contrary, is found to vary in: such a manner as to contradict the Linnzan spe-. cific characters. Thus, on collating a number of © specimens of the T. Mydas, or common green Turtle, some will be found with only a single claw on each of the feet; others, with two, or even three; and others with two on the fore feet, and one on the hind. It also appears, from the observations of Cetti and others, that a similar pst 1 ) ) i! LM | He sy : My Noy N25, 1 Yh { x \ s . Ee mies Hrs 2) ALY ~)) Wy a it) wy ay). it ( (i A) / ) Sasa A my PANS S00: / ° } x4 MH ay C i) an " Wf } Key ) HAM | i / ) VT Lip y Yj) Y Y Y, VY Y ji, Yyy YY by wy 4 \ vi ue WW S WS SSS | (ANNAN ) ‘\\ ‘ n\} h\ i i ) ny \ iy TEN Wy) .) \ c ’ be iN \ \ 3 ' \ : ) COMMON TORTOISE. 41801 Janis London Publyjhd by 6 Mearsdlev Llc 3trect. COMMON TORTOISE. g variation occasionally takes place in some of the land tortoises, and particularly in the T. Greca, or common tortoise, the fore feet of which in some individuals have four, and in others five claws. The animals are, therefore, best distinguished by the shape, pattern, and colours of the shell, the form of the head, &c. Land and fresh-water Tortoises. COMMON TORTOISE. Testudo Greca. T. testa hemispherica nigro flavoque varia, scutellis disci subconvexis, margine laterali obtuso, postice gibbo. Tortoise with hemispheric black and _ yellow shell, gibbose be- hind; the pieces composing the disk convex, and the sides obtuse. Testudo Greca. T. testa hemispherica, subtellis disct subconvexis, Jiavis, nigro cinctis, margine luterali obtuso postice gibbo, Schoepf. Hist. Test. p. 38. t. 8, 9. Testudo Graca. TJ. pedibus subdigitatis, testa postice gibba, margine laterali obtusissimo, scutellis planiusculis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 352. Testudo terrestris vulgaris. Raj. Quadr. 243. The common Land Tortoise. Tuts animal is generally considered as the most familiarly known of all the European species, and is emphatically called by the title of the Common Land Tortoise. It might, therefore, as Mr. Schoepff has well observed, be expected, that its accurate description should long ago have been id COMMON TORTOISE. given, and its specific characters so exactly as- certained as to leave no doubt of the animal in- tended. ‘This, however, is so far from being the case, that it may be questioned whether any of the genus has been less distinctly described. ‘N The figure given by the Count de Cepede, in his History of Oviparous Quadrupeds, as well ‘as its description, at p. 144 of that work, relates to a very different species; the author having con- founded widely distinct animals. This is the more unfortunate, as the Count particularly ob- serves, that it is known to all the world, and that there is scarcely any person who has not seen it: that it has been in all times the type of tardity ; and that it has furnished in every age a field of specu- lation for philosophers, images for poets, and pro- verbs for the people. All this is indeed true, but not of the animal he describes and figures. The common or Greek Tortoise is supposed to be a native of almost all the countries bordering on the Mediterranean Sea; and. is thought to be more frequent in Greece than in other regions. It is found in the scattered European islands of the Archipelago, and in Corsica and Sardinia. It occurs likewise in many parts of Africa. In Greece, according to Forskal, ‘‘ it forms an ar- ticle of food; and the inhabitants often swallow the blood recent, and eat the eggs boiled, which are about the size of those of a pigeon, four or five in number, and of a white colour. In Sep- tember the animal hides itself under ground, and COMMON TORTOISE. 11 again emerges in February *; laying its eggs in June, in a small hole, which it scratches in some sunny spot, out of which after the first rains of September, the young are hatched, which are about the size of a walnut. The males of this spe- cies are said to fight often, butting at each other with such force as to be heard at a considerable distance.” The general length of the shell of this species is from six to eight inches, which latter measure it rarely exceeds: the weight of the full-grown animal is about forty-eight ounces. The shell is of an oval form, extremely convex on the upper part, and composed, as in most others, of thirteen mid- dle pieces, and about twenty-five marginal ones: the middle pieces, or those constituting the disk of the shield, are mostly of an oblong square form, and of a blackish or dark brown colour, varied by a broad yellow or citron band running along one side of each, and continued about half way along the upper part: there is also an oblong patch of a similar colour, running down the lower part or side of each; and on the top or centre of each piece is an obscurely square or oblong space, ra- ther more depressed than the rest, and marked, as in many other tortoise-shells, with roughish spots or granules: several furrows, more or less distinct * When kept in gardens in Italy and Germany, it is observed to latibulize in October, and to reappear in April. In England it retires about the end of October, and reappears about the mid- dle of April; but these periods seem to differ in all countries ace cording to the temperature of the weather, &c. 1% COMMON TORTOISE. in different mdividuals, appear traced round the. sides of each piece, becoming gradually less dis-, tinct as they approach the upper part or space. just mentioned. The colours of the shell are more. or less bright in the different specimens, and are subject, as well as even the shape of the pieces them- selves, to some occasional variations; and when very old, the shell becomes much smoother than in the younger animals, the sulci or furrows, as well as the areole or spaces on the top of each scutellum or piece, being almost obliterated. The under or belly part of the shell is of a citron or pale yellow colour, with a broad blackish or deep-brown zone down each side, leaving the middle part plain.. The head is rather small than large; the eye small, and black; the mouth not extending beyond the eyes; the upper part of the head covered with, somewhat irregular, tough scales, and the neck. with smaller granulations, so as to be flexible at. the pleasure of the animal. The legs are short, and the feet moderately broad, covered with strong ovate scales, and commonly furnished with four moderately stout claws on each; but this is a cir- cumstance which cannot be allowed to constitute a part of the specific character, since in different individuals, either from age, or other circum- stances, these parts are found to vary in number, there being sometimes five claws instead of four on the fore feet. ‘The tail is about the same length with the legs, or rather shorter, and is covered with small scales, and terminates in a naked horny pointed tip or process. , This animal lives to a most extraordinary age ; COMMON TORTOISE. 13 several well attested examples being adduced of its having considerably exceeded the period of a century. One of the most remarkable instances is that of a tortoise introduced into the archiepis- copal garden at Lambeth, in the time of Archbi- shop Laud, and as near as can be collected from its history, about the year 1633, which continued to live there till the year 1753, when it was supposed to have perished rather from accidental neglect on the part of the gardener, than from the mere effect of age. This Tortoise has had the honour of being commemorated by Derham*, and many other writers, and its shell is preserved in the library of the palace at Lambeth f. The general manners of the Tortoise, in a state of domestication in this country, are very agree- ably detailed by Mr. White, in his History of Sel- bourn. ‘‘ A Land Tortoise,” says Mr. White, ‘‘ which has been kept thirty years in a little walled court, retires under ground about the mid- dle of November, and comes forth again about * In a copy of the work entitled Memoirs for the Natural Hts- tory of animals, from the French Academy, and which was once the property of Derham, the following MS. note occurs : ‘“‘ Timagine Land-Tortoises, when arrived at a certain pitch, cease growing. For that I saw, Aug. 11, 1712, in my Lord Arch- bishop of Canterbury’s Garden, which hath been there ever since Archbishop Juxon’s time, and is accounted to be above 60 years old, was of the same size I have seen others of, of larger size, and much younger.” + This memorable Tortoise appears to have exceeded the usual dimensions of its species; the shell measuring ten inches in length, and six and half in breadth. {4 COMMON TORTOISE, the middle of April. When it first appears in the spring, it discovers very little inclination for food, _ but in the height of summer grows voracious ; and then, as the summer declines, its appetite de- clines; so that for the last weeks in autumn it hardly eats at all. Milky plants, such as lettuces, dandelions, sowthistles, &c. are its principal food. On the first of November, 1771, I remarked that the Tortoise began to dig the ground, in order to form its hybernaculum, which it had fixed on just beside a great tuft of Hepaticas. It scrapes out the ground with its fore feet, and throws it up over its back with its hind, but the motion of its legs is ridiculously slow, little exceeding the hour hand of a clock. Nothing can be more assidu- ous than this creature, night and day, in scooping the earth, and forcing its great body into the ca- vity; but as the noons of that season proved un- usually warm and sunny, it was continually inter- rupted, and called forth by the heat in the middle of the day, and though I continued there till the thirteenth of November, yet the work remained unfinished. Harsher weather, and frosty morn- ings, would have quickened its operations. No part of its behaviour ever struck me more than the extreme timidity it always expresses with re- gard to rain; for though it has a shell that would secure it against the wheel of a loaded cart, yet does it discover as much solicitude about rain as a lady dressed in all her best attire, shuffling away on the first sprinklings, and running its head up ina corner. If attended to, it becomes COMMON TORTOISE. 15 an excellent weather-glass, for as sure as it walks elate, and, as it were on tip-toe, feeding with great earnestness, in a morning, so sure will it rain be- fore night. It is totally a diurnal animal, and never pretends to stir after it becomes dark.” ‘‘ The Tortoise,” adds Mr. W. ‘‘ like other rep- tiles, has an arbitrary stomach, as well as lungs, and can refrain from eating, as well as breathing, for a great part of the year. I was much taken with its sagacity, in discerning those that do it kind offices; for as soon as the good old lady comes in sight who has waited on it for more than thirty years, it hobbles towards its benefactress with awk- ward alacrity ; but remains inattentive to strang- ers. Thus, not only ‘‘ the Ox knoweth his owner, and the Ass his master’s crib,” but the most abject and torpid of beings distinguishes the hand that feeds it, and is touched with the feelings of grati- tude. This creature not only goes under the earth from the middle of November to the middle of April, but sleeps great part of the summer ; for it goes to bed in the longest days at four in the af- ternoon, and often does not stir in the morning - tilllate. Besides, it retires to rest for every shower, and does not move at all in wet days. When one reflects on the state of this strange being, it is a matter of wonder that Providence should bestow such a seeming waste of longevity on a reptile that appears to relish it so little as to squander away more than two thirds of its existence in a joyless stupor, and be lost to all sensation for months to- gether in the profoundest of all slumbers ! Though he loves warm weather, he avoids the hot sun; be- ~—~+216 COMMON TORTOISE. cause his thick shell, when once heated, would, as the poet says of solid armour, ‘ scald with safety.’ He therefore spends the more sultry hours under the umbrella of a large cabbage-leaf, or amidst the waving forests of an asparagus bed. But as he avoids heat in the summer, so in the decline of the year, he improves the faint autumnal beams, by getting within the reflection of a fruit-tree wall; and though he has never read that planes inclining to the horizon receive a greater share of warmth, he inclines his shell by tilting it against the wall, to collect and admit every feeble ray.” The Tortoise seems more tenacious of the vital principle than any other of the Amphibia. Redi informs us, that in making some experiments on vital motion, he, in the beginning of November, took a land tortoise, and made a large opening in its skull, and drew out all the brain, washing the cavity, so as to leave not the smallest part remain- ing, and then, leaving the hole open, set the ani- mal at liberty. Notwithstanding this treatment, the Tortoise marched away, without seeming to have received the smallest injury : it however closed its eyes, and never opened them afterwards. Ina short space the hole of the skull was seen to close, and in about three days there was a complete skin covering the wound ; and in this manner the ani- mal lived, without the brain, for six months, walking about, and moving its limbs as before. Redi also cut off the head of a Tortoise, which lived twenty-three days afterwards ; and the head itself continued to snap the jaws for more than a quarter of an hour after its separation from the MARGINATED TORTOISE. ae ef body. He repeated the experiment of taking out the brain upon several other Tortoises, both of land and fresh water ; all of which lived for a con- siderable space without the brain. He observed also, that having cut off the heads of some, and opening the bodies twelve days afterwards, the motion of the heart was still perceptible ; so slowly is the vital principle discharged from these inac- tive animals. The species of Testudo most liable to be con- founded with the Grzca seem to be the 7. pusilla of Linneus, the tabulata of Schoepf, the sulcata of Millar, and the marginata of Schoepf. Linnzus himself quotes no figure for his T. Greca, which has greatly tended to increase the general uncer- tainty. MARGINATED TORTOISE. Testudo Marginata. T. testa oblonga fusca gibba flavo variata, postice explanato-depressa. , Tortoise with blackish-brown, oblong gibbose shell variegated with yellow, widened and depressed on the hind part. Testudo Graja. T. testa postice explanato-depressa, lateribus obtusa, scutellis subgibbis, glabris; marginali anteriori lineari. Hermann. Testudo marginata. T. testa oblonga gibba; lateribus retusa, margine postico explanato-depressa, scutellis 24. Schoepf. Test. p. G2) t. Licand 12. f1. a Tus, according to Mr. Schoepf, is the species erroneously figured and described in the Count de Cepede’s work as the Testudo Greca, and consi- We ILI. P. Tey. a 18 MARGINATED TORTOISE: dered as the most common European species. The Count de Cepede’s description is as follows: This Tortoise, which is described from the life, is almost fourteen inches long, and ten broad, when measured according to the curvature of the shell: the head is an inch and ten lines long, an inch and'two lines broad, and one inch deep; it is flat amd triangular above: the eyes furnished with a nictitating membrane ; the lower eyelid alone be- ing moveable: the mandibles strong, crenulated, and beset internally with asperities, which are sometimes mistaken for teeth: the apertures of the ears are covered by the common skin: the tail is very short, being only two inches long: the fore legs three inches and six lines long; the hind feet two inches and six lines: the skin is grainy, and covered with unequal, hard scales, of a brown co- lour, and covering the head, Jegs, and tail; some of these scales on the ends of the feet are large and hard, and of a pointed form, so that they might be confounded, at first sight, with the claws: the feet are thick, and so covered, as it were, by the investing membrane, that the toes can only be distinguished by the claws which termi- nate them. The Count adds, that the disk of the shell consists of thirteen pieces, striated on their ' margins, and the border of twenty-four pieces ; all of which, and especially the hinder ones, are much larger in proportion than in other tortoises, and from their position cause the circumference of the upper shell to appear denticulated: it is ex- tremely convex, being more than four inches | MARGINATED TORTOISE. 19 deep ; in consequence of which, the animal, when placed on its back, can regain its former situa- tion. The Count has not particularized its native country, but considers it as a general inhabitant of Greece, Africa, India, the islands of Amboina, Ceylon, and Japan; and even of America; thus confounding, according to Mr. Schoepf, several different species from all quarters of the globe under one general name™*. The getieral colour of this animal is a deer or blackish bay; the middle or convex part of the pieces composing the disk, being more or less dashed or varied, in an irregular manner, with yellow: the marginal pieces are also variegated with the same colour, which predominates chiefly on the hindermost or widest divisions, which are pretty distinctly striated or furrowed, and from their peculiar width or dilatation{ form the chief part of the specific character. The under shell is _of a pale yellow colour, each division being mark- éd on its upper commissure by a transverse black- ish band, running into a pair of pointed or subtri- angular processes, extending nearly to the next or inferior division. The outline of the shell, if viewed from above, will be found to be much longer in proportion than that of the Testudo * “¢ Generos. de la Cepede, sub T. Grace nomine, plures et diversissimas terrestres testudines, ex omnibus fere mundi plagis, in unam confudit speciem.”—Schoepf. p, 47. + The shell of the T. Grzca is also somewhat dilated on each side at the hind part, especially in the older specimens; but not in so great a degree as in the present species. 20 GEOMETRICAL TORTOISE. Greca, accompanied by a slight contraction or sinking in on each side.. | This species appears evidently to be the same with that figured in the work of J ohnston, under the title of Schildt Krotte, tab. 80, and the figure is by no means a very bad one, though the mark ings of the shell are somewhat too strongly ex- pressed. The true native country of the animal seems not very distinctly known. Mr. Schoepf is in- clined to think it an American species. I cannot but add, that the Count de Cepede seems to be not the only author who has con- founded it with the T. Greca; and it is probable that it has frequently been mistaken for that ani- mal. GEOMETRICAL TORTOISE. Testudo Geometrica. T. testa ovata nigra, scutelis elapatis, favo stellatim radiatis. : Tortoise with ovate black shell and elevated scutella radiated- with yellow. Testudo geometrica. ‘. pedibus posticis palmatis, teste scutellis elevatis truncatis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 353. T. scutellis teste ovate omnibus elewatis superne planis, tes Jia- wis velut e centro stellatim concurrentibus. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1044. -Testudo testellata minor. Raj. Quadr. 359. From its strong and well- contraeele adlbtirs and symmetrical regularity of pattern, the present species is more readily distinguishable at first ~ TRICAL TORTOISE. irk OME (| Coates sculp. Le Nua My iit isagt NN Ny 9 ISE ORT O RADIATED T 1602 Jan1 London Fublijna by Ge ~ arslev Fleet Street . GROMETRICAL TORTOISE. 91 view, than most others of this perplexing tribe. The pieces of which the disk of the shell consists are very prominent, striated, or furrowed pretty distinctly with numerous lines on their sides, and terminated above by a yellowish, flat, square, or rather hexagonal roughened space or centre, from which proceed, in a radiated direction, several well-defined yellow streaks towards the edge; thus constituting a beautiful kind of geometrical appearance on the black ground-colour on which they are disposed : the marginal pieces, which are commonly twenty-four, sometimes twenty-six, in number, are also streaked with yellow, but in a somewhat different style, as may be seen by in- specting the annexed engraving. In the bright- ness of its colours, like all other Tortoises, it oc- casionally varies; but the beautiful regularity of its pattern is scarcely ever obliterated, even in the oldest specimens. In the number of pieces com- posing the disk it is sometimes known to vary; having occasionally fourteen instead of thirteen, as is the case in a specimen preserved in the Bri- tish Museum, and represented on pl. 306 of the Naturalist’s Miscellany. The native country of this beautiful Tortoise is perhaps not truly ascertained ; though the shell is more frequently seen in Europe than that of al- most any other kind. It is said, however, to in- habit Asia and Africa, and even to be found in America. According to Mr. Thunberg it is parti- cularly common in shrubby places about the Cape of Good Hope. It is said to lay about twelve or 09 RADIATED TORTOISE. fifteen eggs at a time. The Count de Cepede supposes this species to be the Terrapin of Dam- pier, which that navigator represents as very beau- tifully variegated, and as delighting in moist and marshy places; adding, that its flesh is esteemed as a food, and that it is found in plenty on the coasts of the Pine islands, between the continent of America and Cuba: they are found in the fo- rests, where they are easily taken: the hunters mark them on the shield, and let them wander about the woods; being sure to find them again at no great distance, every one easily recognizing his own property, and afterwards carrying them to Cuba. RADIATED TORTOISE. Testudo Radiata. J. festa ovata nigra, scutellis planiusculis fiaco stellatim radiatis. Tortoise with ovate black shell and flattish scutella radiated with yellow. - Testudo tessellata major. Great chequered Tortoise-shell, Grew. mus. reg, soc. p. 36. From a general resemblance in the pattern of the shell, and a similarity in colours, it appears that this animal has been considered either as the same species, or at most as a variety of the T. geo- metrica. It is impossible, however, to view with any attention the two shells without allowing them to be perfectly‘distinct. That of the species at present under consideration often measures a RADIATED TORTOISE. 93 foot or more in length, whereas the former seldom arrives at that size: it is also nearly smooth or even in its outline, whereas that of the T. geome- trica is remarkably tuberculated; the pieces of which it consists rising very much towards their centres: the pattern in the present shell is also more elaborately disposed, and the streaks or ra- diations more numerous and delicate in propor- tion; all which distinctions will appear at once from an inspection of the annexed figures, and will be more impressed on the mind of the -in- quirer than by any possible verbal description. The native country of this species is said by Grew, who has well described it in his AZuseum Regalis Societatis, to be Madagascar; but it should seem to be also a native of Jamaica; since the Hicatee Tortoise, mentioned in Brown’s History of that island, appears to agree pretty well with its characters and size, and will by no means accord with. those of the T. geometrica, to which it is generally applied by authors. So accurately has Grew detailed the figure and pattern of the shell, that it would be injurious to omit his description: “It was sent from, Madagascar. I find the animal no where described or figured. It is above half oval; being of all that I ever saw the most concave; a foot long, eight inches over, and al- most six inches high. ‘The convex is curiously wrought with black and whitish pieces, alternately wedged in, one against another, and notched, as it were, with ‘transverse incisions. Those near ' the margin and on the sides are composed into DA RADIATED TORTOISE. several pyramidal areas or great triangles, whose bases are about two inches broad. On the back into sexangular ones, each of them convex. On the sides and quite behind the shell is carried somewhat inward. Before and hinderly the edges are toothed, and bended outward and upward. The inward edges are covered with shelly plates above an inch and half broad. The concave is composed of six and forty bones. Along the middle of the back are twelve, all, except the foremost and the four last, almost square. Next to these are eight on each side, like so many con- tiguous ribs; together with two lesser square bones before: next to these, eight more, as it were, under-ribs, on each side. To the twelve middlemost bones the ribs are joined by an alter- nate commissure, so as one of them answers to the halves of two ribs, and vice versa. ‘To these the under-ribs, in a wonderful manner, viz. by a branched suture or indenture. For: the great teeth of the under-ribs being first inserted into those of the upper-ribs, the indenture is afterwards repeated by lesser teeth, out of the sides of the great ones. Besides the most elegant ordering of the work in the convex, there are three things chiefly observable, which serve for the greater strength of the shell. That is to say, the con- vexity of the several areas on the back, the branched sutures, and the alternate commissures of the bones; answerable to the rule of Nature in a human skull; and of Art, in laying of stones in buildings, and in covering of broader vaults, i —, > oo. Ton YY GG; C7 Oey iy, INDIAN TORTOISE. GED Mii SENS Py by Giearsley Lleet Sacct . tPubli {hd b 2601 Jan?2 Londor INDIAN TORTOISE. 95 not with one arch, but several lesser ones, for the greater strength.” It should be farther Biikrved: that the colour of this shell varies in different specimens, the ra- diations being sometimes yellow, and sometimes very pale or whitish, as in Grew’s description. The under part of the shell was wanting in the specimen described by Grew; but in the Leverian Museum are specimens of this part also, which differs widely in the distribution of its markings from that of the preceding species; the ground- colour being blackish-brown, marked by large well-defined yellow divisions or transverse spaces, of which that in the middle constitutes a complete thomb or horizontal lozenge, bounded above and below by two much narrower ones, while the pieces composing each extremity are also of the same co- lour, and of a subtriangular form. In some speci- mens a few additional yellow rays are interspersed. INDIAN TORTOISE. Testudo Indica. T. testa supra collum reflexa, scutellis tribus primoribus tuberosis. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p.145. Schneid. Schildkr. p. 355. Tortoise with brown shell, reflected above the neck, and marked with a tubercle on the three upper scutella. Great Indian Tortoise. Mem, Nat. Hist. anim, Fr. Acad. p. 252. pl. iid. Tuis very large terrestrial species, which is omitted by Linnzus in the twelfth edition of the 26 INDIAN TORTOISE. Systema Nature, was first described by Perrault in the History of Animals published by the Royal Academy of France. The specimen was taken on the coast of Coromandel, and measured four feet and a half from the tip of the nose to the tail; and its height or convexity was fourteen inches: the shell itself was three feet long and two broad, and, like every other part of the animal, was of a dull brown colour: the shield consisted of large and dissimilar pieces, and the edge on the fore- part was rather reflected, for the easier motion of the animal’s head: the three anterior portions of the shield had each a round knob or tubercle on the middle, which seems the most remarkable character of the species; each tubercle was about half an inch wide, and from three to four lines high: the head, feet, and neck, were covered with a wrinkled and granulated skin; the head was seven inches long; the mandibles serrated, and furnished with an additional internal row of denticulations: the fore legs were nine inches lone: the fore feet undivided, thick, and armed with five blunt claws: the hind legs were eleven inches long; the feet tetradactylous and armed with four claws: the tail six inches thick at the base, fourteen inches long, and terminated*by a horny curved process. The figure given in the Memoirs of the Academy seems rather negligently executed. Mr. Cepede appears to confound this very large species with the T. Greca. INDIAN TORTOISE. TS) “I a VAR T Mr. Vosmaer has described and figured the shell of a large Land Tortoise from the Cape of Good Hope, which seems so much allied to the preceding, that it can hardly be considered as any other than a variety. Its length was about two feet eight inches: its width one foot six inches: its height one foot: the disk had thirteen, and the margin twenty-five pieces. The only difference worth remarking seems to consist in the absence of the three tubercles in front, which perhaps may constitute a sexual distinction. Allied to the above is also a very large species brought from the southern islands, and now in the British Museum: the shell is about three feet and a half long at least; of an ovate-oblong form, widening at the bottom, and contracting consi- derably on each side the neck: its colour is a dull uniform brown, and its surface smooth: all the divisions are even; yet the whole surface of the shell has, as it were, regular elevations and de- pressions on different parts. | } 28 WRINKLED TORTOISE. Testudo Rugosa. J. rugosa nigra, flavo venuloso-variata, scu- tellis mediis subpanduraformibus. Tortoise with black wrinkled shell, mottled and variegated with yellow; with the middle dorsal pieces subpanduriform. A sHELL of this remarkable species, which does not appear to have been described in any work on natural history, is preserved in the Leverian Mu- seum. It is of a long oval form, somewhat di- lated or widened at the hind part; and is of. very considerable depth or convexity. Its colour 1s black, or dark brown, thickly mottled with small and somewhat confluent spots and variegations of pale yellow, which are rather larger on the sides than on the middle of the shell. The three middle divisions of the dorsal row of scutella are, in the Linnean phrase, somewhat panduriform or fiddle- shaped; while the upper piece is so formed as to resemble the outline of a pitcher, and the lowest is irregularly hexagonal: the side pieces are four in number, and nearly of the general or usual shape: tue marginal pieces are twenty-five in num- ber; the upper one very small, and the four lowest on each side pretty deeply emarginated or sub- bifid, so as to give a somewhat serrated outline to that part of the shell. A pretty distinctly marked, but by no means sharp, carina or ridge runs down the dorsal row. The whole upper surface of the shell is strongly wrinkled ; every scutellum being marked by numerous, deeply impressed, somewhat ee ee ee * TS Ses oh PSE ep Se Sa WRINKLED TORTOISE. \\ AY by MOAB Wh 44 nif Hee UL aa i") iy] i W Wy HA) VAL ena Wilke, J Wy, 1 Ay Yin itt EY | , Ae a. yess ois My 4. a be 4 Wit By AY Ges a Yft Y Ay / Hf Pilg Met dd) aT Ruy Brown Jstulp. 2601 Jan's London Publi{hd by GHearsley Llect Stree. WRINKLED TORTOISE. 29 longitudinal sulci or furrows, of various degrees of obliquity ; the whole forming an appearance less easy to express in words than by a figure. The under shell is smooth, and of a pale or yel- lowish white colour, thickly and beautifully mot- tled with black. The length of this curious shell is nine inches and a half: its width, in the middle, five inches ; in the widest or hind part, six inches and a half, and its height, or convexity, three inches, if measured from the bottom of the under shell, and nearly two inches, if from the prominent margin or edge of the upper shell. The annexed engraving is an accurate represen- tation of the above-described shell of nearly half the natural size. Its native country seems to be unknown. VAR. In the Leverian Museum is a variety, perhaps a sexual difference of the above. In this the shell, instead of being speckled, is marked somewhat obscurely with two or three yellowish horizontal streaks on each scutellum; while the under shell is of a yellowish white, with a row of moderately large, round, blackish spots along the whole cir- cumference, one spot being seated at each com- missure of the marginal pieces. A pair of similar spots occur also at the tip or upper part of the sternum, and a pair on each side the concavity at the opening for the hind legs. SPECKLED TORTOISE. Testudo Europea. T. testa ovali planiuscula subcarinata fusco- atra, punctis strisque albo-flavescentibus radiatis, Schneid, Schildkr. p. 323. Tortoise with oval, flattish, smooth, dark-brown shell, marked with very numerous yellowish specks and streaks. Testudo orbicularis. TT. testa orbiculari planiuscula levi. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. 1039. exclusis synon. Gronovianis et y. Testudo Meleagris. Speckled Tortoise. Naturalist’s Moscel- lany, col. 4, pl. 144. | TL’. aquarum dulcium et lutaria. Raj. Quadr. 254.° La Jaune. Cepede ovip. 1. p. 135. pl. 6. Tue speckled Tortoise is of rather small size ; the shell measuring about four or five inches in length: it is of an olive-brown or blackish colour, smooth, flattish, or but slightly convex, and beau- tifully marked on the upper surface with very nu- merous, small, oblong yellow specks, or very short streaks, which are disposed in a kind of radii on each division of the shell: the skin of the neck and breast of the animal is also spotted nearly in the same manner. ‘The disk of the shell is com- posed of thirteen, and the margin of twenty-five pieces: the under shell is of a whitish yellow, tinged towards the commissures or joints with brown: the head is ovate, somewhat convex above, flattish on each side and beneath; the skin of the neck lax and wrinkly: the legs short and scaly: all the feet are webbed, and the fore feet have five toes; the hind only four: the claws on all the feet are sharp-pointed, and somewhat pe LA RONDE. Cocpcde. FEES tA ZF LEELA REEEEZZEEEZEZEZEEZEZZE SS CE LLLZZA EN LES Sa ae ae ae Ee Zz ES EEE PEPE AN ~~ TL fh ee = _ wr a rey: : ee al \ SPECKLED TORTOISE. 31 crooked: the tail is almost half the length of the body, and is thin, attenuated, compressed, and scaly ; it is also spotted in the same manner as the body. This elegant species is a native of many parts of Europe, being found in Italy, Sardinia, France, Hungary, Prussia, &c. inhabiting lakes and mud- dy waters, and feeding on aquatic plants, insects, snails, and small fish. Its flesh is said to be esteemed as a food, and is, in some places, sold in the markets: the animal is also occasionally kept in appropriated ponds, and fed or fattened with lettuce-leaves, bread, &c. &c. It may be also conveniently kept in a cellar, and fed with oats scattered on the floor, which it readily eats when they begin to germinate. It deposits - its eggs in sandy and sunny places in the beginning of spring; and it is pretended that they are not hatched till the succeeding spring. It is an animal of extremely slow growth, and seems somewhat to vary in colour, according to the climates in which it is found ; the ground-colour being either green- ish, blackish, or of different shades of brown or - chesnut. It seems doubtful whether the species called 7. lutaria by Linneus was intended for this animal or not; and the same doubt remains with respect, to the 7. orbicularis of that author ; since his cha- racters of both will be found in some points to agree, and in others to disagree with the present animal. 32 MUD TORTOISE, a “VAR. WueEtHER the species described by Cepede, under the title Za Ronde, be the samé with the above, is perhaps not easily determined. Its man- ners and habitations seem to agree: that figured by Cepede seems to have been young, being re- presented in its natural size, and is, for the satis- faction of the reader, engraved in the present pub- lication. MUD TORTOISE. Testudo Lutaria. J. fusca, cauda corpore dimidio breviore, testa planiuscula. Brown Tortoise, with flattish shell, and tail half the length of ~ the body. Testudo lutaria. TT’. pedibus subpalmatis, cauda corpore dimidio breviore, testa planiuscula, postice tribus scutelhs carinata 2 Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 352. La Bourbeuse. Cepede ovip. 1. p. 218. pl. 4. Tuts, which is supposed by the Count de Ce- pede to be the Testudo lutaria of Linneus, is said to be extremely common in many parts of Europe, as well as Asia, being found in India, Japan, &c. It is, says Cepede, in general, not more than seven or eight inches long from the tip of the nose. to that of the tail, and about three or four inches in breadth: the disk consists of thirteen pieces, which are striated and slightly punctated | Ni i lal = Mub TORTOISE. ELEGANT TORTOISE . S—— ————— — —— —— FG —— Z = ————. it = —— = = — ——— SS — == I ————s — my \ ( CC Set irra SSS X = SS : Gy HRS Lh OE, scssusvanvenes AA, SMT Rees? Aes so 77d ddel CN, iT Ze ‘ Ate athhe f = a RO m 4 * 60. Jani LoniontLublijnd by 6 hearsley £ ltt SUCCl . o < 39 DENTICULATED TORTOISE. ‘Testudo Denticulata. T. pedibus subdigitatis, testa, orbiculato- cordata, margine eroso. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel, p. 1043. Tortoise with subdigitated feet, and orbicularly-cordated shell _ with denticulated marginal segments. THE shell of this species is of a pale yellowish- brown colour, measuring about four inches in length, and about three in breadth, and is covered on the disk by broad hexagonal and pentagonal scutella, which are of a flattened form, with a large distinct area or middle space, granulated by small tubercles, the remainder marked by five lines or furrows. The edge of the shell consists of twenty- three pieces, all of which project in a serrated manner round the outline, those toward the ends _ being terminated by a sort of abrupt denticulated process, as shewn in the annexed engraving, which is taken from a specimen in the Leverian Museum. The convexity of the shell is mode- rate, and it appears to be a terrestrial species. It is supposed to be a native of North America. The feet in the Gmelinian edition of the Systema Na- ture are said to be without distinct toes, and the tail short. - 60 PENSYLVANIAN TORTOISE. Testudo Pensylvanica. T. testa elliptica levi unicolore, dorso . planiusculo, scutellis intermediis rhomboideis subimbricatis, primo subtriangulo. Schoepf. Test. p. 107. t. 24. Tortoise with smooth, elliptic, brown shell, with flattish back, the middle range of scutella subrhomboid and subimbricated, the first subtriangular. Testudo Pensylvanica. T. palmarum unguibus quinque, planta- rum quatuor, caude apice corneo acuto. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. 1042. . : Small Mud Tortoise. Edw. 287. Tuts is one of the smaller Tortoises, the shell measuring three or four inches in length when ap- parently full grown. Its form is oval, its convex- ity moderate, its surface smooth, and its colour brown: the middle range of dorsal pieces are of a longer form than in other Tortoises, and are so placed as to lap over each other at the tips, which are slightly emarginated: the uppermost piece is of a triangular shape: the two upper side-pieces irregularly or obscurely quadrangular, and the re- maining ones pentangular: the marginal pieces are twenty-three in number, the upper or join- ‘ing piece being very small: the edges of the shell. are tinged with dull yellow: the lower shell also is of a yellowish colour, tinged with brown round the commissures or junctures of the pieces, and is constituted nearly on the same plan as in the close tortoise, the upper and lower division being moveable in such a manner as to enable the ani- mal to conceal itself almost entirely by shutting ee PO ee SLE Oe Oe Oe ee ee ee ere ne, NP eT ee L4. 7; cpede . 4 LA CHAGRINEE. ( 6: NX . j N ra SF YW A isn vs — alt v GL, eee wr =o PEN SYLVANIAN TOR London Lublifhid by 6 hearstey Fleet Street . ee 1b02 San , LS. PENSYIEVANIAN TORTOISE. Var 7. n| iN tH i ! <== ———————— == —— = SS SS — -X ———— ———— or ————— > — = —= ——— Se — = ——- —— SS = S——SS al ith } : UNIT ay = ——S—— —S— SS —— | ! | = AY 1 = \\) = \ = = \ es i \\ \' | i | | | f | \ | | = yl ‘— SS S=z =e ] Hl hh i! || oF i « = = TTT J i { ' From Levertan Muscurn. Bo Janis Loniton £ ublifhad by & Kearsley Fleet Street . / y rife YY tie "fy 7 = ce Ly / = 4 Y g Ly 7 : Wp esP0?- | —$-- ’»’»'-V—ry;: ty Ly {i ——$> UWA Z EZ RS (= ——$-2EB2 XZ !\ —$ SS a LE A SE a BOE 2 BEE: aL Za ——SSSSaass S== SSS SS SSS SS SS - . ‘ PENSYLVANIAN TORTOISE. 61. up the shell. It is from this circumstance that it appears to have been sometimes confounded with the species just mentioned, thougli widely _ differing in other particulars. The head, on the parts surrounding the jaws and the eyes, is of a reddish yellow colour: the upper part dusky, as . are also the neck, legs, and tail: the feet are webbed, and have five toes on the fore, and four on the hind feet: the tail is small, rather short, and terminates in a callous or horny point, curv- ing slightly downwards. It is a native of North America, and is found in Pensylvania, &c. inha- biting muddy waters, and is known by the name of the Mud Tortoise. When living, it is said to have a strong musky odour. VARIETIES. Mr. Scuoepr mentions a variety, in which the under shell was not moveable, and imagines it to constitute a sexual difference. In the British Museum, are specimens of about the size figured by Edwards, one of which differs very considerably from the rest in having a very conspicuous carina or ridge down the back, ow- ing to the sudden sloping of the sides: in other particulars it resembles the rest. A much more remarkable variety (if it be not rather a distinct species) occurs in the Leverian Museum. ‘This shell:measures about four inches and three quarters in length, and has every ap- pearance of being full grown. Its colour is 62 LONG-NECKED TORTOISE. brown; its surface smooth; the shield pieces sul- cated in the manner shewn by the annexed figure, and marked by three strongly elevated dorsal carine, passing through the whole length of the shell, the sides of wince do not slope, nas main- tain the usual convexity. It is probably a shell of this species in its fullest growth; and may serve as an example of the great impropriety of hastily affixing specific characters and trivial names to animals whose real and complete habit can only be known by examining them in all their stages of growth. The name of tricarinata would be much more expressive of the appearance of this shell, than of that to which it is applied in the -work of Mr. Schoepf. . | LONG-NECKED TORTOISE. Testudo Longicollis. TT. ovata glabra, collo longissimo. Smooth ovate Tortoise, with extremely long neck. © Long-necked Tortoise. Lool. N. Holl. p. 19. pl. 7. Tus species is a native of Australasia or New Holland, and is of the river or fresh-water kind. The shell is of an oval form, moderately convex, of a dark olive-brown colour, and nearly smooth, though in some parts bearing a resemblance to the grain of common black leather. It measures about five inches and a half in length, and about four and a half in breadth: the disk consists of thirteen, and the margin of twenty-five pieces: the under shell is of a yellowish tinge, and stained * JIPLG? DIDI ADSM 9 Ap PUDQ fo UOpUueT FUNG? TIQT th I i) | f ATH AN Aut i Ks 4. NOT ) LD) AL CLL 1A LO | LA “asiloaod CASPIAN TORTOISE. 63 at the junctures with black brown, forming so many crossings of that colour: the head is smooth; the neck extremely long, appearing, so far as could be judged from the specimen described, to be almost always in an exserted state (though this is merely a conjecture): its upper surface is marked with oval scaly granulations, which give it an extremely serpentine appearance: the fore feet are short and tetradactylous; softly scaled, and as it were pinnated by a continuation of skin: the hind feet are of similar structure, but some- what longer, and more widely pinnated: the claws on all the feet resemble those of birds, and are four in number: the tail is so extremely short as scarce to deserve the name, being merely a slight prolongation, or rather rising, of the skin. The colour of thé whole animal above is deep olive-brown ; beneath paler, or inclining to whit- ish. Nothing particular is known of its manners or history. CASPIAN TORTOISE. Testudo Caspica. ’. testa orbiculari, palmarum unguibus quinis, plantarum quaternis, capite squamato, cauda nuda. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1041. Tortoise with orbicular shell, scaly head, five claws on the fore feet, four on the hind, and naked tail, DescripED by Gmelin in his Russian Tra- vels; who represents it as a native of the region of Hircania, inhabiting fresh waters, and some- times growing to a vast size, so that some men 04 FIERCE TORTOISE. may stand together on its shell: the pieces com- posing the disk are subquadrate ; those of the bor- der parallelogrammic: the colour variegated with black and green ; the lower shell bleed i aes with white. FIERCE TORTOISE. Testudo Ferox. T". testa cartilaginca ovata, pedum ungubus _ tribus, naribus tubulatis prominentibus. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p- 1039. Penn. Act. Angl. 61. p. 266. t. 10. ‘Tortoise with ovate, cartilaginous shell, three claws on the feet, and tubular, prominent nostrils. Testudo rostrata? TT. testa orbiculart ovata, “monoph bylla, cori- acea, carinate, rugis obliquis e punctis elevatis striata, scabra. Schoepf. Test. 93. t. 20? T’. pedibus palmatis, testa integra, carinata, elevato-striata, scabra ? Thunberg. Nov. Act. Acad. Suec. 8. p. 179. | T. cartilaginea?. Boddaert. Schr. Berl, Nat. 3..p. 265. T. Boddaerti? Schneid. Leipz. Mag. z. Nat. § Oec. 17 86. T. triunguis? orsk. Fn. Arab. 9. T. membranacea? Blumenb. Natur. p. 257. Tus remarkable species is distinguished by the unusual nature of its shield, which is hard or osseous on the middle part only, while the edges etadually degenerate into a flexible coriaceous | verge: this shield 1s obscurely marked with five or six transverse bands, and granulated with small warts or prominences, which gradually enlarge as they approach the leathery or flexible edge: the head is rather small, and of an unusual shape, being somewhat trigonal, with the snout very” much lengthened, and the upper part drawn out, as it were, into a subcylindric form, terminated DIB DING AQELOYLD AG PUI VOpUcgy rung roge ‘DtIgQUuny , SINMLS OW! J, \\ \\\\ AY \\ OAT phi HHH yh, ge ZOWA | wo La * ASTO d WARE KS wl AYR Nei 4 FIERCE TORTOISE. 65 by the nostrils, and projecting much beyond the lower mandible: the neck, when retracted, appears very thick, and surrounded by many wreaths or folds of skin; but when exserted, is of very great length, so as nearly to equal that of the whole shell: the legs are short, thick, and covered with a wreathed skin: the feet are all furnished with strong and bread webs, connecting the three last toes of each; the three first on each foot are furnished with pretty strong claws; but the re- maining ones are unarmed; and besides the real or proper toes are two spurious or additional ones on the hind, and one on the fore feet, serving to strengthen and expand the web to a greater de- gree: the tail is short, pointed, and curving im- wards: the eyes are very small and round. The colour of this animal on the upper parts is a deep brownish olive, and on the under parts white; the shell being marked beneath in a very elegant manner, with ramifications of vessels disposed upon it. This species is found in Pensylvania, Carolina, _&c. &c. and, contrary to the nature of most others of the tribe, is possessed of very considerable vi- gour and swiftness of motion, springing forwards towards its assailant, when disturbed or attacked, with great fierceness and alacrity. Its length is about a foot and half, or more, and its breadth about fifteen inches. It was first described by Dr. Garden, who communicated it to Mr. Pen- nant, by whom it was introduced into the Phi- losophical Transactions. A specimen examined Ee Se Se ) 66 FIERCE TORTOISE. by Dr. Garden weighed twenty-five pounds, but it is said to grow so large as to weigh seventy pounds. The. ineligdlals mentioned by Dr. Gar- den layed fifteen eggs during the time it was kept, _ which were exactly spherical, more than an inch in diameter, and fifteen more were found on dis- section. Its flesh is said to be extremely deli- cate, being equal, if not superior, even to that of the Green. Turtle. . The Great soft-billed Turtlé, described by Mr: Bartram in his Travels, appears to be the same with this. It is said by Mr. Bartram to be of a flat form, two feet and a half long, and a foot and a half broad: the shield soft and cartilaginous on each side, and this part sometimes becomes gelatin- ous on boiling: the fore and hind part of the shield is beset with round horny warts or tubercles: the sternum or under shell semicartilaginous, except on the middle, where it is bony: the head large and clubbed, and of an oval form: the nose extended, truncated in the manner of a hog’s snout: the eyes large, and seated at its base: mouth wide ; the edges tumid and wrinkled, and bearded by several long pointed warts or processes, which are extensile at the pleasure of the animal, and give it an ugly and forbidding aspect. Mr. Bartram’s figure also represents the throat and part of the neck as furnished with similar warts. Mr. B. adds, that it is fond of the muddy parts of rivers, &c. hiding itself among the roots and leaves of water plants, and thence springing on its prey, stretching out its neck to an incredible length, FIERCE TORTOISE. 67 and seizing with wonderful celerity young birds, &e. &c. It is found in all the rivers, lakes, and pools, of East Florida, weighing from thirty to forty pounds. The warts or processes on each side the neck may constitute perhaps a sexual dif- ference in this species, since they are not to be found in that described by Dr. Garden and Mr. Pennant. i must here observe, that the figure of a dried specimen of this tortoise, published in the Philo- sophical Transactions, does not express with suf- ficient accuracy the character of the upper sur- face or shield, which in the specimen itself, now preserved in the British Museum, is marked with very numerous foveole or depressed points, and with seven obscurely marked transverse dorsal lines on the shield ; thus dividing it into so many segments, while the extremities of the ribs are visible on each side beneath the commencement of the coriaceous part. VAR. 2 Testudo Rostrata, Thunberg. Nov. Act, Suec. 8.t.7.f. 2, 3. Tuts should seem to be no other than the young of the species above described; the general form and particular structure of the feet, &c. agreeing with the former. The specimen described by Thunberg was about the size of the palm of the hand, and of a brown colour. ‘ Allied to the above is also the species thus briefly described by Forskahl, in his: Fauna Arabica, un- 68 CHAGRIN TORTOISE. der the title of Testudo triunguis. T. pedum un- guiculis tribus, dorsi disco rugoso orbiculato, limbo depressiore levi, naribus in cylindro ele- vato et ultra caput prominente. CHAGRIN TORTOISE, Testudo Granulata. TT. testa orbiculata, plantuscula, granulata, margine cartilagineo. ; | Tortoise with orbicular, flattish, granulated shell, with cartila- ginous border, La Chagrinée. Cepede. Ovip. p. 171. pl. 11. Tuis remarkable species seems allied to the T, ferox, having the shield furnished with a cartila- ginous and flexible border. It is described by Mons. Cepede, who tells us it was brought from India by Mons. Sonnerat. It is of a flattish or very slightly convex form, the shield measuring about three inches and nine lines in length, and three inches and six lines in breadth: it appears composed, as it were, of two shields, one over the other; the superior being the smallest and shortest, measuring only two inches and eight lines in length, and two inches in breadth: it is of a bony substance, and roughened all over with small granules like the surface of chagrin, and consists of twenty-three pieces, eight of which are. placed on each side, constituting two rows of large segments, separated by the middle range of six smaller pieces, which unite with the last or upper- most piece on the anterior part of the disk: the a a a i ir eg a ee CHAGRIN TORTOISE. 69 borders of this shield are semitransparent and car- tilaginous, and through them may be perceived the ribs of the animal, which are eight on each side: the border is wider behind than on the fore parts: the under or thoracic shell is extended more in front and behind than the upper, being a little emarginated in front, cartilaginous, transpa- rent; and consists of seven bony lamine of un- equal sizes, and of a roughened or chagrined sur- face: three of these divisions are placed forwards, two in the middle, and two behind: the head re- sembles those of fresh water tortoises, and the wrinkles of the skin round the neck shew that the animal can elongate that part easily: the feet and tail were wanting in the specimen, and nothing © particular was known relative to its habits or his- tory. | From its small size we may reasonably suppose it to have been a young animal. 70 FIMBRIATED TORTOISE, Testudo Fimbriata. 1’. testa ovali subconvexa trifartam carinatd, pedibus subdigitatis, naso cylindrico proboscideo, collo utranque Jimbriato. Bruguiere Journ. @ Hist. Nat. No.7. p. 253. pl. 13. (T. Matamata. ) Tortoise with oval, subconvex, triply carmated shell, subdigi- tated feet, cylindric snout, and neck fimbriated on each side. - | t day Testudo fimbriata. J. testa striata et echinata, fronte callosa - triloba. Schneid. Schildkr. p. 349. Testudo terrestris major, putamine chinato et striato, s. Rapa- rapa. Barrere. Fr. Equin. p. 163. Testudo scorpioides? TT’. pedibus subdigitatis, fronte ciliase tri- loba, cauda unguiculata. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 352. Tus is an animal of a very singular and un- pleasing appearance. It was first described by Mons. Bruguiere in the Journal d’ Histoire Natu- relle, published at Paris in the year 1792. The length of the shell is about fifteen inches or more, and its breadth eleven, but the length of the whole animal from the nose to the end of the tail is two feet three inches. The head is large and flat, rounded in front, and edged on the sides with warty and wrinkled membranaceous appen- dages of about five inches wide, and is also co- vered behind by a three-lobed prominence: the nose is of a shape resembling a proboscis, being cylindric, ten lines long, truncated, pierced by the nostrils, at the tip, where they are separated by a cartilaginous division: the eyes are round, seated at the base of the proboscis, and are ten lines distant from each other: the mandibles are eS ee ae ee a e s Te ny 4; Wh OISE . DIRT ( pT ATE. f TLMUIB Ik 1 ba « hearsliv £Lleck SUICcl . 7 Tr hd bv b y 18021 Jan’? Loniton Pubh FIMBRIATED TORTOISE. 71 equal in length, and entire; the inferior being furnished with a kind of lateral membrane: the - gape of the mouth is wide: the neck is seven inches long, and four and a half broad; above flat and warted; and on each side furnished with six fimbriated membranaceous appendages longitudi- nally disposed, and alternately larger and smaller: the under part of the neck is also beset with four appendages. of a similar kind, which are placed opposite to the two on the head, and are in- creased by two longitudinal wrinkles: the fore feet are scaly and warty, and’ have five indistinct toes, with as many longish and sharp claws, which are convex above and flat beneath: the hind feet are scaly, and thé toes are still less distinct, and have only four claws, the fifth toe being unarmed and very short: the tail is an inch long, slightly bent, and covered with a granulated skin: the disk of the shell is subconvex, and consists of thirteen semicircular pieces, almost conical, mu-. cronated, and marked with three elevated lines, most prominent on the hind part: all the pieces are wrinkled, and are irregularly notched at the hind part: the marginal pieces are twenty-five in number, almost square, radiated on the surface with oblique wrinkles, and toothed on the interior edge. The colour of the whole is brown, some- what paler beneath. 3 | | This animal is said to be a native of Guiana, and to have been once common in the rivers of the isle of Cayenne; but has been so much thin- ned by the fishermen, that it is now become rare, 7% SNAKE TORTOIS#. “- it being considered as an excellent food. It feeds on aquatic plants, and is said to wander by night : to some little distance from the banks m quest of ' pasture. The specimen above described was a fe- male, and was brought alive to Mr. Bruguiere: it lived for some time on herbs, bread, &c. and layed five or six eggs, one of which produced a young tortoise in the box in which it was kept. It does not appear certain that this species is the _ T. scorpioides of Linnzus, since in his very brief description he does not mention the remarkable figure of the snout. SNAKE TORTOESE., Testudo Serpentina. T. testa ovals depressa, trifariam conver, squamis acummatis, margine postico rotundato acute serraéo.. Schoepf. Test. p. 28. t. 6. . 4 Tortoise with ovate, depressed,. triply carinated, sharp-scaled shell, rounded and acutely serrated at the posterior margin.. Testudo serpentina. J. pedibus digitatss, testa subcarinata, pos- tice obtusa, acute quinquedentata. Lin, Syst. Nat. p. 354. é Serrated Tortoise. Penn. Arct. Zool. Suppl. p. 97. Turis species, first described by Linneus, ap- pears to have been very obscurely known; having been figured in no work of Natural History till. it was introduced into Mr. Schoepf’s publication. It is a native of North America, where it inhabits stagnant waters, growirg to the weight of fifteen or twenty pounds, and even more, and preying on fish, ducklings, &c. &c. seizing its prey with uy 1agr OL YILW SC N N 8 SSNS hy S iS S X = = A __¥ Ny ra & A 8 Ss 5 kS R RB s ea 5 : N @ = y 8 * SNAKE TORTOISE. 78 great force, stretching out its neck and hissing at the same time. ‘Whatever it seizes in its mouth it holds with great force, and will suffer itself to be raised up by a stick rather than quit its hold. The head is large, depressed, triangular, and co- vered with a scaly and warty skin: the orbits of the eyes are oblique; the mouth wide; the man- dibles sharp; the neck covered by scaly warts, and appearing short and thick when the animal is at rest, but when in the act of springing on its prey, is stretched out to a third part of the length of the shell: the toes of all the feet are distinct, but connected by a web; and are five in num- ber on the fore feet, and four on the hind; all armed with claws longer than the toes themselves: the tail is strait, and about two thirds the length of the shell; it is compressed, attenuated, and crested on the upper part with sharp bony scales directed backwards and gradually decreasing to the tip, while the sides and under part are covered with smaller scales: the under part of the body is covered by a loose, wrinkled skin, beset with smallish soft scales and granules: the shell is slightly depressed, of an oval form, and consists of thirteen pieces in the disk, each of which rises behind into a kind of projection or obtuse point, and is pretty strongly radiated and furrowed in different directions: the general colour of the whole is a dull chesnut-brown, lighter or paler beneath. This animal conceals itself in muddy waters, in such a manner as to leave out only a part of its 7 A SCALY TORTOISE. back, like a stone or other inanimate object, by which means it the more easily obtains its prey. Mr. Pennant, in the supplement to his Arctic Zoology, mentions this as a new species, under the name of Serrated Tortoise. In New York it is known by the title of the Snapping Tortoise. Linneus seems to have been mistaken in suppos- ing it a native of China. LEGALLY. TOREQRE: * Testudo Squamata. 7". corpore ovato superne una cum collo cauda § pedibus squamato, inferne levi 5 moll. Lin, Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1040. Schneid. Schildkr. p. 340. _ Tortoise with ovate body, smooth beneath, but covered above, together with the neck, feet, and tail, with numerous scales. Testudo squamata. Bont. Jav. p. 82. Tuts highly singular species is described and rudely figured in Bontius’s History of Java, and it may perhaps be doubted whether it properly be- longs to this genus or not. It is, according to Bontius, an inhabitant of fresh waters, where it burrows under the banks, in order perhaps to de- posit its eggs. The head is small, and resembles that of a snake, with small moveable eyes, and sharp teeth: the whole body, as well as the neck, legs, and tail, covered with scales resembling those of a carp, but stronger or thicker: the tail is rather long than short: the under parts are soft, smooth, and tender. Bontius informs us — that he saw two of these animals, and kept one SCALY TORTOISE. 75 for some time in water. The Javanese call it by tue name of Taunah, or the digger: the Chi- nese by that of Lary, or the Runner; a burlesque title, given it on account of its slow pace. Its flesh is said to be extremely delicate; and the Chinese use the pulverised scales dissolved in water, as a remedy in dysenteric cases, and against the colic. The figure in Bontius, which, as before observed, is somewhat rude, in some de- gree resembles that of a Manis or Pangolin. This animal has been described from actual in- spection by no author but Bontius. Its size 1s not mentioned. It is said to prey on small fish. By a strange oversight in the Systema Nature, Linneus places its name among the synonyms of the Testudo imbricata. It seems in some degree to connect the Lizard and Tortoise tribes. Mr. Schoepf is not willing to admit it into the present genus. SEA TORTOISES, OR TURTLES. Tur Marine Tortoises, or Turtles, as they are commonly called, are distinguished from those of | the preceding division by their very large and long fin-shaped feet, in which are inclosed the bones of the toes; the first and second alone on each foot being furnished with visible or pro- jecting claws, the others not appearing beyond the edge. The shield, as in the land tortoises, consists of a strong bony covering, in which are imbedded the ribs, and which is coated externally by hard horny plates; in one or two species much thicker or stronger than those of the land tortoises. Uy Wp Ml a a ( . it yn “) y Gil Whi) U Y| Death sciulp . 601 Jan?1 London Piblifhd by Citcarstev Fleet Savece . i y ut eh WAY TOR A EN OLMMLLEELELYEIEL Hr Yi YY Ph ty \\ iy = 5 ANT SSX ——= = = > SS SSS == ————— —— a Se as Se ee = AK WS ——_— AN FZ 3 SS SS WW SS SS i AKIN ANY \ LN ANY PN aN A Will a H} Loe, ——— SZEZZEE SEES = a mee ow 1602 DecirL ondon Publifned by GMearsley,Fleet Street. NS oe eee eee ee = * 17 CORIACEOUS TURTLE. Testudo Coriacea. T’. fusca, subtus pallidior, testa cortacea costis quingue longitudinalibus tuberculatis. Brown Turtle, paler beneath, with coriaceous shell, marked by five longitudinal tuberculated ribs. Testudo coriacea. 7’, pedibus pinniformibus muticis, testa coriacea, cauda angulis septem exaratis, Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 350.° Testudo testa coriacea, per longitudinem striata. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1036. Schneid. Schildkr. p. 312. , Coriaceous Tortoise. Penn. Brit. Zool. 3. p. 7. pl. 1. La Luth. Cepede. Ovip. p. 111. pl. 3. Or all the Marine Tortoises this appears to grow to the largest size, having been sometimes seen of the length of eight feet, and of the weight of a thousand pounds. It differs from the rest of its tribe in the form of its body, which is longer in proportion, and still more in its external cover- ing, which, instead of being of a horny nature, as in others, is of a substance resembling strong lea- ther, marked over the whole surface into small, obscurely subhexagonal and pentagonal subdivi- sions or lineations, which do not take away from the general smoothness of the surface. Along the whole length of this covering or leathery shield run five distinct, strongly prominent, tubercu- lated ribs or ridges; and indeed if those which border the sides be taken into the account, we may say there are seven ridges on the shield. There is no under or thoracic shell, so that the animal might form a distinct genus from the rest of the tortoise tribe. ‘The head is large, and the i? CORIACEOUS TURTLE. upper mandible notched at the tip in such a man- ner as to give the appearance of two large teeth or processes, between which, when the mouth is closed, is received the tip of the lower mandible. The fins or legs are large and long, and covered with a tough leathery skin: the tail is rather short and sharp-pointed. The general colour of the whole animal is dusky brown, paler beneath. This singular species is a native of the Mediterranean sea, and has at different periods been taken on the coasts both of France and England. In the month of August, in the year 1729, a specimen was taken about three leagues from Nantz, not far from the mouth of the river Loire, and which measured sevén feet one inch in length, three feet seven inches in breadth, and two feet in thickness. It is said to have uttered a hideous noise when taken, so that it might be heard to the distance of a quarter of a league; its mouth at the same time foaming with rage, and exhaling a not- some vapour. In the year 1778, a specimen was taken on the coast of Languedoc, which measured seven feet five inches in length. In July, 1756, one was taken on the coast of Cornwall, which, according. to Dr. Borlace, ‘‘ measured six feet nine inches from the tip of the nose to the end of the shell; ten feet four inches from the extremities of the fore fins extended; and was adjudged to weigh eight hundred pounds weight.” The fine specimen in the Leverian Museum was of. similar weight, and was taken on the coast of Dorset- shire. 4 Se et pm er ee eg ES CORIACEOUS TURTLE. 79 This species is found not only in the European seas, but in those of South America also, and oc- casionally appears about some of the Afriean coasts. | According to Cepede, the Coriaceous Tortoise is one of those with which the Greeks were well acquainted, and he supposes it to have been the species particularly used in the construction of the ancient lyre or harp, which was at first com- posed by attaching: the strings or wires to the shell of some marine tortoise. We may add, that the ribs or prominences on the back of the shell bear an obscure resemblance to the strings of a harp, and may have suggested the name of Luth or ‘Lyre, by which it is called among the French, ex- clusive of the use to which Me shell was anciently applied. r The Coriaceous Tortoise, says Mr. Pennant, is reputed to be extremely fat, but the flesh coarse and bad: the Carthusians, NPN Cg will eat no other species. | It may be added, that the small sea tortoise iden by Mr. Pennant in the Philosophical Transactions for the year 1771, is evidently no other than the young of this animal. 80 GREEN TURTLE. Testudo Mydas. T’ testu subfusca, scutellis disci tredecim. Brownish Turtle, with thirteen scales on the disk. Testudo Mydas. 7. pedibus pinniformibus, unguibus palmarum binis, plantarum soktarus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 350. Testudo viridis. T. pedibus pinniformibus, unguibus.palmarum binis, plantarum solitariis, testa ovata. Schneid. Test. p. 299. Testudo Mydas. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1037. Testudo rostro gallinaceo. JWalb. Cielon. p..85. Common Green Turtle. Esculent Turtle. Tue Green Turtle, so named, not on account of its being externally of that colour, but from the green tinge * which its fat frequently exhi- bits when the animal is taken in its highest state of perfection, may be considered as one of the largest of this genus; often measuring above five feet in length}, and weighing more than five or six hundred pounds. Its shell’ is of a somewhat heart-shaped form, or pointed at the extremity, and consists of thirteen dorsal segments or divi- sions, surrounded by twenty-five marginal pieces. Its colour is a dull palish brown, more or less va- riegated, with deeper undulations, but not exh biting those strong and beautiful colours which so peculiarly distinguish that of the T. imbricata, — * This is supposed to be chiefly derived from the vegetable substances on which the animal feeds, and more particularly to the Zostera marina, or Turtle-grass, of which it is said to be pe- culiarly fond. | + According to some accounts more than six feet. VIA LIU GUT UCPUOT Lj TORT : WO] TATE Va DIALS e: "WLU, Naa arog wey RRS | ye ANC vei iit in iain 1, HN AAD ‘i aN x Bay) (i wn \ f : Wey INET ; , Sa) ' Wy NAAN \" Sere AY) WANK) sh ie di = Dag f wt ay Cu W Hi) My hit i % mi GREEN TURTLE. 81 or Hawkbill Turtle, which affords the tortoise- shell used for ornamental purposes and in various manufactures, having neither sufficient strength or beauty ; but so much is the flesh esteemed, that the inhabitants of the West-Indian islands have long considered it as one of the most excellent ar- ticles of food, and have gradually succeeded in introducing a similar taste among some of the European nations. In our own country in parti- cular it is in the highest estimation, and is regu- larly imported in considerable quantities to supply the luxury of the metropolis. The introduction of the Green Turtle as an article of luxury into England is of no very distant date, and perhaps ean hardly be. traced much farther than about fifty years backward*. In reality, so little was the nature of the sea tortoises understood by the * In the part entitled Historical Chronicle, of the Gentleman’s Magazine for the year 1753, I find the following article: “ Fri- day, Aug. 31, a Turtle, weighing 350lb. was eat at the King’s Arms Tavern, Pall Mall; the mouth of an oven was taken down to admit the part to be baked.” At p. 489, for the same year, is the following paragraph : “‘ Saturday, Sept. 29, the Turtler, Capt. Crayton, lately arrived from the Island of Ascension, has brought in several Turtles of above 300lb. weight, which have been sold at a very high price. It may be noted, that what is common in the West Indies is luxury here.” : In the Historical Chronicle of the same publication, for the year 1754, I find the following article: ‘‘ Saturday, July 13, the right hon. the Lord Anson made a present to the Gentlemen of White's Chocolate-house of a Turtle, which weighed 300lb. weight, and which laid five eggs since in their possession. Its shell was four feet three inches long, and about three feet wide. When its head was cut off, at least five gallons of blood issued from it, and so VG TET. Pi. F. 6 - $2 - GREEN TURTLE Europeans before that period, that the different kinds were in general confounded by navigators, whose accounts relative to their character as a food varied according to the species which they happened to take for that purpose; some insisting that the Turtle was_a coarse and unpalatable diet, while others considered it as of the highest degree of excellence. | mee, ‘© Of the Sea Turtles,” says Catesby, ‘‘ the most in request is the Green Turtle, which is esteemed a most wholesome and delicious food. It receives its name from the fat, which is of a green colouf. Sir Hans Sloane informs us, in his History of Jamaica, that forty sloops‘are employed by the inhabitants of Port Royal, in Jamaica, for the catching them. The markets are there sup- plied with Turtle as ours are with butcher’s meat. The Bahamians carry many of them to Carolina, where they turn to good account; not because that plentiful country wants provisions, but they are esteemed there as a rarity, and for the delicacy of their flesh. They feed on a kind of grass, growing at the bottom of the sea, commonly called Turtle-grass. The inhabitants of the Bahama islands, by often practice, are very expert at catching Turtles, particularly the Green Turtle. In April they go, in little boats, to Cuba and full was it of life, that the mouth opened and shut for an hour after it was cut off.” _ The above paragraphs are sufficient to shew that the sncaics tion of Turtle into England was at that time of very recent date, and that the dressing one at a tavern was an article of sufficient importance to be noticed in a newspaper. Cy a a ae GREEN TURTLE. 83 other neighbouring islands, where, in the evening, especially in moonlight nights, they watch the going and returning of the Turtle to and from their nests, at which time they turn them on their backs, where they leave them, and proceed on, turning all they meet; for they cannot get on their feet again when once turned. Some are so large that it requires three men to turn one of them. The way by which the Turtle are most commonly taken at the Bahama islands is by striking them with a small iron peg of two inches long, put in a socket, at the end of a staff of twelve feet long. Two men usually set out for this work in a little light boat or canoe, one to row and gently steer the boat, while the other stands at the head of it with his striker. The Turtle are sometimes discovered by their swimming with their head and back out of the water, but they are of- tenest discovered lying at the bottom, a fathom or more deep. Ifa Turtle perceives he is discovered, he starts up to make his escape, the men in the boat pursuing him, endeavour to keep sight of him; which they often lose, and recover again by the Turtle putting his nose out of the water to breathe: thus they pursue him, one paddling or rowing, while the other stands ready with his striker. It is sometimes half an hour before he is tired: then he sinks at once to the bottom, which gives them an opportunity of striking him, which is by piercing him with an iron peg, which slips out of the socket, but is fastened with a string to the pole. If he is spent and tired by being long 8 4 GREEN TURTLE. pursued, he tamely submits, when struck, to be taken into the boat. or hauled ashore.. There are men who by diving will get on their backs, and by pressing down their hind-parts, and raising the fore-part of them by force, bring them to the top of the water, while another alin a noose about their necks.” Though the Green Turtle is a native of the West-Indian seas, yet it is sometimes driven by storms out of its usual residence, and instances have occurred in which it has been taken on the coasts of Europe. An occurrence of this kind is said by the Count de Cepede to have happened in France, a’ Turtle having been taken at Dieppe in the year 1752, which weighed between eight and nine hundred pounds, and was almost six feet in length, and four wide. It may, however, be doubted whether this animal was not rather a Caretta or Loggerhead, than a: Green Turtle. Another, of still larger size, is also said to have been taken on the coast of France, about two years afterwards. ‘‘ The Sea Tortoises, or Turtles, in general,” says Catesby, ‘‘ never go on shore but to lay their egos, which they do in April: they then crawl up » from the sea above the flowing of high water, and dig a hole above two feet deep in the sand, into which they drop in one night above an hundred eggs, at which time they are so intent on Nature's work, that they regard none that approach them ; but will drop their eggs into a hat, if held under them; but if they are disturbed before they begin to lay, they will forsake the place, and seek an- fh \ \ 1 ‘ } ‘ ~ ‘ / . - \ Py ‘ ‘ h ao ‘NNN uN YY WN Qo Ay nat A ‘\ ARRAY WY N \ LOGGERHEAD TURTLE. WA) Mh, WY L HH D if ih Yel 2.London Lublifhed by GHearsley,Fleet Street. is 2801 Dec. ' LOGGERHEAD TURTLE. 85 other. They lay their eggs at three, and some- times at four different times ; there being fourteen days between every time; so that they hatch and creep from their holes into the sea at different times also. When they have laid their complement of egos, they fill the hole with sand, and leave them to be hatched by the heat of the sun, which 1s usually performed in about three weeks.” It may be proper to add, that the eggs are about the size of tennis-balls, round, white, and covered with a smooth parchment-like skin. LOGGERHEAD TURTLE. Testudo Caretta. J. variegata, scutellis dorsalibus quindecim, intermediis postice gibbis. Variegated Turtle, with fifteen dorsal scales, those of the middle range gibbous toward their tips. Testudo Caretta. T. pedibus pinniformibus, unguibus palmarum plantarumque bins, testa ovata acute serrata. Lan, Syst. Nat. p. 351. Testudo scutis dorsakibus postice gibbis, unguibus palmarum planta- rumque binis. Lain, Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1038. Testudo Cephalo. Schneid. Schildkr. p, 303. I’. testa ovate-cordata, serrata; scutelliis discs. quindecim, dorsali- bus postice gibbis. Schoepf. Test. p. 67. Tis species exceeds in size* every other yet known, except perhaps the coriacea. In its general * In the Leverian Museum is a skull, seemingly of this species, which is said to have been taken from a turtle weighing more than sixteen hundred pounds: it measures rather more than a foot in length, | 86 LOGGERHEAD TURTLE. appearance it most resembles the M/ydas or green turtle, but is distinguished by the superior size of the head, the proportional breadth of the shell, and by its deeper and more variegated colours, resembling those of the T. imbricata, or Hawks- bill ; but its principal mark of distinction consists in the number of dorsal segments or scutella of the shell, which instead of thirteen, as in other species, amount to fifteen; the lateral as well as the middle range containing five pieces, of which the two superior are considerably smaller than the rest. This number (except in cases of extraor- dinary variety) is observed to be constant, and therefore forms a far more certain specific cha- racter than the number of claws on the fins, by which Linnzeus attempted to distinguish the ma- rine tortoises. Each of the scutella in the middle dorsal range is also extremely protuberant at the end or tip, rising into a subacute prominence, and thus forming a row of tubercles along the back of the shield. The fore feet are very large and long: the hind feet much shorter, though broad. This animal inhabits the same seas with the green turtle, but is also diffused into very remote latitudes, being often found in the Mediterranean, and in particular about the coasts of Italy and Sicily. Considered in a commercial view, it is of little or no value; the flesh being coarse and rank, and the laminz or plates of the shell too thin for general use. It is said, however, to afford a good quan- tity of oil, which may be used for lamps, &c. The Loggerhead Turtle is a very strong and fierce = eee be ae \ LOGGERHEAD TURTLE. 87 animal, and is even dangerous; defending itself with great vigour with its legs, and being able to break the strongest shells and other substances with its mouth. Aldrovandus assures us, that on offering a thick avalking-stick to one which he saw publicly exhibited at Bologna, the animal bit it in two In an instant. “The Loggerhead Turtles,” says geri are the boldest ad most voracious of all other tur- tles: their flesh is rank, and therefore little sought for, which oceasions them to be more numerous than any other kind. They range the ocean over, an instance of which, among many others that I have known, happened the 20th of April, 1725, in lat. 30 degrees north. When our boat was hoisted out, and a Loggerhead Turtle struck as it was sleeping on the surface of the water: this by our reckoning, appeared to be the midway between the Asores nid the Bakama-Islands ; either of which places being the nearest land it could come from, or that they are known to frequent; there being none on the north continent ef America, farther north than Florida. It being amphibious, and yet at so great a distance from land in the breed- ing-time, makes it the more remarkable. They feed mostly on shell-fish, the great strength of their beaks enabling them to break very large shells, as the large Buccinums and Trochi.” The Sea Tortoises, like the terrestrial ones, may well be supposed to vary a little sometimes, as to the exact regularity and number of their scales or | acutella. We may, therefore, on this principle, 833 LOGGERHEAD TURTLE. — account for the contradictory descriptions met with in authors relative to species which, in every respect, but the number of scales, appear to be the same. An instance of this occurs in the seem- ingly accurate figures of Gottwald, which agree In general appearance with those of the d/ydas, but at the same time have more numerous scales on the shield, and consequently do not correspond with the established character of that animal; or if we suppose them, which is more probable, to represent the Caretta, they still exhibit a variety with sixteen instead of fifteen scales on the - shield. : | The species figured in Aldrovandus, Quad. Ovip. pp- 714, 715. was probably intended for the Ca- retta, having fifteen dorsal scales: it is not, how- ever, to be considered as a very accurate repre- sentation of the animal, and is merely admitted into the present publication in order to enable the scientific reader to exert his own judgment on the subject. In reality it is not without a very careful exa- mination that the true specific differences of the marine tortoises can be well understood; since, exclusive of the plates of the shell, they are known to vary in those marks which have been some- times fixed upon as specific characters, and parti- cularly in the number of external or visible claws on the fins, from which Linnzus attempted to distinguish them; subsequent observations hav- ing proved that this mark is perhaps less to be depended upon than any other; and we are éx-. 2 LE TURT jrom Gottwald oe OGGERHE A! | € Bild seutp . Teel . CL J a , 1801 JaniiLondon Pubhj{hd by 6 Kearsley LOGGERHEAD TURTLE , from Aldrovandus. 1602 Dece!1.London Fublifned by C.MearsleyL “eet Street. jon Ke ZO. [IMBRICATED TURTLE. bo: JanL London Publifud’ by Cliearsley Fleet Street. IMBRICATED TURTLE. 89 pressly informed, by an author quoted fy, Mire: Schoepf’s publication *, *, that on examining a great many specimens of Vac T. Mydas, or common green turtle (which Linnus characterises by having two claws on the fore and one on the hind feet), some were found with two claws on all the feet, others with two claws on the fore and one on the hind; and, lastly, others with only a single claw on all the feet. IMBRICATED TURTLE. Testudo Imbricata. T’. variegata, scutellis disci imbricatis tre- decum. Variegated Turtle with thirteen imbricated scales on the disk. Testudo imbricata. TT’. pedibus pinniformibus, testa cordata sub- carinata serrata, scutells imbricatis, cauda squamata, Lan. Syst. Nat. p. 350. L. palmarum plantarumque unguibus Din. scutis laxe atque imbri- catim incumbentibus. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1036. Schneid. Schildkr. p. 309. Imbricated Turtle, or Hawksbill. Tut Testudo imbricata is so named from the peculiar disposition of its scales or lamine, which commonly lap over each other at their extremities in the manner of tiles on the roof of a building. The outline of the shell, viewed from above, is more heart-shaped than in other sea tortoises, and terminates more acutely: each of the middle row of scales on the back is also of a sharpened form * Quotation given by Mr. Schoepf from a writer on this sub- ject in the Allgem. Litt. Zeit. Suppl. 1787. No. 19. p. 148. ' 80 IMBRICATED: TURTLE. at the tip, more especially in the young or half- grown animal, and has a ridge or carina down the middle: the head is smaller in proportion than in other turtles; the neck longer, and the beak narrower, sharper, and more curved, so as to bear no inconsiderable resemblance to the bill of a hawk, from which circumstance the animal de- rives its common or popular name of the Hawks- bill Turtle. ‘The. fore legs are longer than m the» -rest of the tribe, and it is said that when turned or laid on its back, the animal is enabled by their assistance, to reach the ground, mm such a manner as to recover its former situation, which no other turtle can do. In old specimens the neatness of the shell, and the well-defined outline of the scales, is occasionally impaired, and this seems to be one principal reason of its having been sometimes con- founded with the Caretta, or Loggerhead Turtle. The Hawksbill Turtle 1s a native of the Asiatic and American seas, and is sometimes, though less frequently, found im the Mediterranean. Its ge- neral length seems to be about three feet, from the tip of the bill to the end of the shell; but it has been Known to measure five feet in length, and to weigh five or six hundred pounds. In the Indian ocean in particular, specimens are said to have occurred of prodigious magnitude. The shell of this animal was anciently used. for a shield, and still serves for that purpose among barbarous nations. ‘The flesh is in no estimation as a food, the lamelle or plates of the shell, which are far stronger, thicker, and clearer than in any IMBRICATED TURTLE. 91 other kind, constituting the sole value of the ani- mal, and affording the substance particularly known by the name of ¢ortoise-shell: they are se- mitransparent, and most elegantly variegated — with whitish, yellowish, reddish, and dark brown clouds and undulations, so as to constitute, when properly prepared and polished, one of the most elegant articles for ornamental purposes. The natural or general number of the dorsal pieces is thirteen ; the marginal row consisting of _twenty-five smaller pieces. This external coating is raised or separated from the bony part, which it covers, by placing fire beneath the shell; the heat soon causing the plates to start, so as to be easily detached from the bone. These plates vary in thickness, according to the age and size of the animal, and measure from an eighth to a quarter of an inch in thickness. A large turtle is said to afford about eight* pounds of tortoise-shell. — In order to bring tortoise-shell into the parti- cular form required on the part of the artist, it is steeped in boiling water, till it has acquired a pro- per degree of softness, and immediately afterwards committed to the pressure of a strong metallic mould of the figure required; and where it is ne- cessary that pieces should be joined, so as to com- pose a surface of considerable extent, the edges _of the respective pieces are first scraped or thinned, and being laid over each other during their heated * According to Mr. Schoepf, from five to fifteen or twenty pounds ; and unless the animal itself be about the weight of a hundred and fifty pounds, the shell is not worth much, GQ: IMBRICATED TURTLE.: state, are committed to a strong press, by which means they are effectually joined or agglutinated. These are the methods also by which the various ornaments of gold, silver, &c. are occasional affixed * to the tortoise-shell. The Greeks and Romans appear to have bas peculiarly partial to this elegant ornamental ar- ticle, with which it was customary to decorate the doors and pillars of their houses, their beds, &c. &e. In the reign of Augustus this species of luxury seems to have been at its height in Rome. . ‘« The Egyptians,” says Mr. Bruce, in the sup- plement to his travels, ‘‘ dealt very largely with the Romans in this elegant article of commerce. Pliny tells us the cutting them for fineering or inlaying was first practised by Carvilius Pollio, from which we should presume, that the Romans: were ignorant of the art of separating the lamine by fire placed in the inside of the shell, when the meat is taken out: for these scales, though they appear perfectly distinct and separate, do yet ad- here, and oftener break than split, where the mark of separation may be seen distinctly. Martial . says, that beds were inlaid with it. Juvenal, and Apuleius in his tenth book, mentions that the In- dian bed was al! over shining with -tortoise-shell on the outside, and swelling with stuffing of down within. The immense use made of it in Rome may be: guessed at by what we learn from Velleius Paterculus, who says, that when Alex- * It may be necessary to observe, that tortoise-shell is not ca- _ pable of being melted, as vulgarly supposed. IMBRICATED TURTLE. 93 andria was taken by Julius Cesar, the magazines or warehouses were so full of this article, that he proposed to have made it the principal ornament of his triumph, as he did ivory afterwards, when triumphing for having happily finished the Afri- can war. ‘This too, in more modern times, was a great article in the trade to China, and I have al- ways been exceedingly surprised, since near the whole of the Arabian gulf is comprehended in the charter of the East-India Company, that they do not make an experiment of fishing both pearls and tortoises ; the former of which, so long abandoned, must now be in great plenty and excellence, and a few fishers put on board each ship trading to Jidda, might surely find very lucrative employ- ment with a long-boat or pinnace, at the time the vessels were selling their cargo in the port, and while busied in this gainful occupation, the coasts of the Red Sea might be fully ex-) plored.” : It may be doubted, however, whether the spe- cies described and figured by Mr. Bruce, and said to inhabit the Red Sea, ‘be the real 7. imbricata; since it appears to differ in some respects from the usual character of this animal, and particularly in not having imbricated scales. The Testudo imbricata has been figured by Seba, though not with that minute accuracy which might have been wished. Its shell has been well represented by Grew in his Museum Regalis Societatis ; but the most faithful, as well as elegant representation which has yet appeared 04 GREEN-SHELLED TURTLE. will be found on the plate annexed, which ‘is taken from a drawing by the late Dr. Forster, and now preserved in the collection of Sir Joseph Banks, who politely permitted it to be engraved for the present publication. GREEN-SHELLED TURTLE. Testudo testa variegata viridi. Turtle with green variegated shell. La Tortue Ecaille-Verte. Cepede Ovip. p. 92. Turs is so named by the Count de Cepede from the colour of its shell, which is naturally of a green cast, beautifully transparent, thin, and yet proper for a variety of ornamental purposes. ‘The head is small and rounded; otherwise the animal resembles the common green turtle, or A/ydas, in its general appearance, as well as in its manners, but never grows to so large asize, being commonly about a third part less. These turtles are said to be found in great quantities in the Southern Ocean, and about Cape Blanco in New Spain. They also occur in the Gulf of Mexico, and many of the large American rivers both above and below the line, but have never been discovered in the seas of the old continent. “The flesh is said to be very delicate, and is even preferred in some places to that of the common turtle. Mons. Bomare is said by Cepede to have been the first describer of this species. ? Ay Wf? FOGT a P = OF TUL ‘PINS PIN ABS Ap Pyfygngy vopr “ABSLOY (Ng GMD DB UaLg “ATO, GeV OL aay * QRIS YON Fi FY \ My K “Wt Party Ne tt Re val A \ ait lt i "i mt j Hi it rz " © gg th we Hh Oy Wi] fe yl we i) pe i ae) in ip RHINOCEROS TURTLE. 95 , TRUNE TURTLE, *“Tuis,” says Catesby, ‘‘ I never saw, but was told that they grow to a very large size, of a nar- row form, but very deep, the upper shell being more convex than in other kinds of Turtle. Their flesh is rank, but affords a large quantity of oil, which is all they are valued for.” RHINOCEROS TURTLE, La Tertue Nasicorne. Cepede Ovip. p. 103. Tuis, which seems not to have been yet de- scribed with sufficient accuracy by any naturalist, is said by the Count de Cepede to be a native of the American seas, and to bear a general resemblance to the common or green turtle, but is distinguished by having a large soft tubercle on the tip of the snout, in which are situated the nostrils. It is eaten in the same manner as the green turtle, and is chiefly found in the equatorial regions. 96 RANA. FROG. Generic Character. Corpus tetrapodum, ecauda- | Body four-footed, without tum, nudum. | tail, and naked, or without any integument but the skin. Tuts genus may be divided into three sections, viz. 1. Frogs, commonly so called, or Rane, with light active bodies, and which leap when dis- turbed. 92. Slender-limbed Frogs, Hyle, Cala- mite, or Rane arboree, viz. such as have light bodies, very slender limbs, and toes terminating in flat, circularly expanded tips, enabling the ' animals to adhere at pleasure to the surface even of the smoothest bodies. Several of this division generally reside on trees, adhering by their toes to the lower surfaces of the leaves, and branches. 3. Toads, Bufones, or such as have large heavy bodies, short thick limbs, and which rather crawl than leap when disturbed. Baste It may be observed, that in the works of au- thors this division of the genus into three sections (which is but of late date) is not very accurately conducted ; and indeed some species may be con- sidered as of a doubtful cast, or ranking with al- most equal propriety in either distribution. : F ee : | Legsieeg : OY ay LLeath SOUL) ; SKELETON of TOAD. 2€01 Jan*i London Publfha by Gicarstev Fleet Starcet-. COMMON FROG. Rana Temporaria. R. fusco-flavescens, nigro maculata, macula suboculari elongata fusca. Yellowish-brown Frog, spotted with black, with clongated brown patch beneath the eyes. | Rana temporaria. R. dorso planiusculo subangulato, mk Syst. Nat. p. 357. Rana fusca terrestris. Roes. Hist. Ran. p.1. €. 1. &€¢. Rana. Aldr. ovip. p. 89. Rana aquatica innoxia. Gesn..aq. p. 805. Rana aquatica. Raj. Quadr. p. 241. The Common Frog. Tuts is the most common of all the European species, being almost every where seen in moist situations, or wherever it can command a suffi- cient quantity of insects, worms, &c. on which it feeds. In colour it varies considerably, but its general tinge is olive-brown, variegated on the upper parts of the body and limbs with irregular blackish spots; those on the limbs being mostly disposed in a transverse direction: beneath each eye is a longish mark or patch, reaching to the setting on of the fore legs, and which seems to form one of its principal specific distinctions. The lower or under parts are of a pale greenish yel- low cast, and much more obscurely spotted and variegated than the upper surface. The Frog, however, is not unfrequently seen, and more espe- cially towards the close of summer, of a much brighter cast; being of a reddish or ferruginous rather than of an olive colour on the upper parts, ee tik. bP. 1. 7 98 COMMON FROG. with very strong and vivid variegations of a deeper colour on the back and limbs, while the lower parts are yellow, spotted, and marked with light red. It is chiefly in gardens that the Frog is found thus coloured ; but as this, like every other species, 1s in the habit of casting its skin frequently, the cuticle falling off in a somewhat irregular manner on different parts of the body, it of course varies considerably at intervals as to the bright- ness or intensity of its colours. The form of the Frog is light and elegant, and its appearance lively ; the hia finely eres for the peculiar motions of the animal, and the hind feet strongly webbed, to assist its progress in the water, to which it occasionally retires dur- ing the heats of summer, and again during the frosts of winter, when it lies in a state of tor- pidity, either deeply plunged in the soft mud at the bottom of stagnant waters, or in the hollows beneath their banks, till it 1s awakened from its slumber by the return of spring. It is generally in the month of March that the Frog deposits its ova or spawn, consisting of a large heap or clustered mass of gelatinous transparent egos, in each of which is imbedded the embryo, or tadpole, in the form of a round, black globule. The spawn commonly lies more than amonth*, or sometimes five weeks, before the larve or tadpoles are hatched from it, and during this period each egg gradually enlarges in size, sad a few days be- * This time varies considerably, according to the heat of the weather and other circumstances. os COMMON FROG. 99 fore the time of exclusion, the young animals may be perceived to move about in the surrounding glu- ten. When first hatched, they feed on the remains of the gluten in which they were imbedded, and in the space of a few days, if narrowly examined, they will be found to be furnished, on each side the head, with a pair of ramified branchiz or tem- porary organs, which again disappear after a cer- tain space. ‘These tadpoles are so perfectly unlike - the animals in their complete state, that a person inconversant in natural history would hardly sup- pose them to bear any relationship to the Frog; since, on a general view, they appear to consist merely of head and tail; the former large, black, and roundish; the latter slender, and bordered with a very broad transparent finny margin. Their mo- tions are extremely lively, and they are often seen ‘im such vast numbers as to blacken the whole water with their legions. ‘They live on the leaves of duckweed and other small water-plants, as well as on various kinds of animalcules, &c. and when arrived at a larger size, they may even be heard to gnaw the edges of the leaves on which they feed ; their mouths being furnished with extremely mi- nute teeth or denticulations. The tadpole is also furnished with a small kind of tubular sphincter or sucker beneath the lower jaw, by the help of which it hangs at pleasure to the under surface of aquatic plants, &c. From this part it also occa- sionally hangs, when very young, by a thread of gluten, which it seems to manage in the same manner as some of the smaller slugs have been 100 COMMON FROG. observed to practise. Its interior organs differ, if closely inspected, from those of the future frog, in many respects; the intestines in particular are always coiled into a flat spiral, in the manner of a cable in miniature. Indeed the anatomy of these animals exhibits so many singularities, that a volume might be filled with their history ; but the nature of a work like the present forbids a detail of more than what is necessary for a clear general idea of the animal in its several states. When the tadpoles have ar- rived at the age of about five or six weeks, the hind legs make their appearance; gradually in- creasing in length and size; and, in about a fort- night afterwards, or sometimes later, are succeeded by the fore legs, which are indeed formed beneath the skin much sooner, and are occasionally pro- truded and again retracted by the animal through a small foramen on each side of the breast, and | are not completely stretched forth till the time just mentioned. Tlie animal now bears a kind of ambiguous appearance, partaking of the form of a frog and a lizard. ‘The tail at this period begins to decrease ; at first very gradually, and at length so rapidly as to become. quite obliterated in the space of a day or two afterwards. The animal now ventures upon land, and is seen wandering about the brinks of its parent waters, and some- times in such multitudes as to cover a space of many yards in extent. ‘This is the phenomenon which has so frequently embarrassed the minds not only of the vulgar, but even of some superior COMMON FROG. 101 characters in the philosophic world; who, unable to account for the legions of these animals with which the ground is occasionally covered in cer- tain spots, at the close of summer, have been led Into the popular belief of their having descended from the clouds in showers. As soon as the Frog has thus assumed its perfect form, it feeds no longer on vegetables, but on animal food; supporting itself on small snails, worms, &c. and particularly on insects. For the readier obtaining its prey, the structure of its tongue is extremely well calculated; being so situated that the root is attached to the fore rather than the hind part of the mouth; and, when at rest, lies backwards, as if the animal were swal- lowing the tip. By this means the creature is enabled to throw it out to some distance from-the mouth, which is done with great celerity, and the bifid and glutinous extremity secures the prey, which is swallowed with an instantaneous motion, so quick that the eye can scarcely follow it. The Frog can hardly be said to arrive at its full size till the age of about five years, and is supposed to live at least twelve or fifteen years. It is singular that the celebrated Lord Bacon seems not to have clearly understood the progress of Nature in the formation of the Frog, or its gradual change of figure from the tadpole to the complete animal; since, in his Sylva Sylvarum,. or Natural Historie, he speaks, as an extraordinary and peculiar circumstance, of young frogs and toads having been sometimes observed with tails; 102 COMMON FROG. in such years as have been more than commonly _ pestilential or unhealthy ; from whence he draws the conclusion, that the appearance of such tailed animals ‘‘argueth a great disposition to putrefac- tion in the soile and aire”!!! 2 The Frog is extremely tenacious of life, and, like other amphibia, will survive for a considerable space the loss of many of its organs. If confined entirely under water, it is still enabled to support its existence for several days, as appears by Sir Thomas Brown’s experiment. ‘‘ Because many affirm, and some deliver, that, in’ regard it hath lungs and breatheth, a Frog may be easily drown- ed, though the reason be probable, I find not the experiment answerable; for fastening one about a span under water, it lived almost six days.” On the contrary, it cannot so well dis- pense with the want of water, and is unable to sur- vive too long an exposure to a dry air and a hot sun. It is, therefore, particularly careful to se- cure a retreat where it may enjoy the benefit of shade and a sufficient supply of moisture. it de- lights, however, to bask occasionally, in a moderate sunshine, and is unable to support severe cold. The figures on the annexed plate represent the animal in all its appearances, from the spawn to the completely formed Frog. The largest figure represents a Frog of about four years old; being considerably smaller than the animal when arrived at its fifth or sixth year. A plate representing a Frog in an opened state is also added, in order to shew the lungs and other viscera. | LGR OR et a RE sa a eee es —— PSO eee yh i / y ty FROG, Opened to shew he Lungs COME VISCO ius Jari Loiwton Lublifhd bv Chearsliy Fleet Slvcet . SO. * DIOLS DIN AYSLOIY YANO PU DQ UOPUOT Tey togr "HOt Naat) see) : : = , Agy = SS = SS a ei! , Ng Z ee : > : . aK A ~) ¥ eel 133 MERIAN FROG. Rana Meriana. R. subflavescens fusco variegata, vesicis auricu- laribus subconicis. Yellowish-green Frog, variegated with brown, with subconical auricular vesicles. Rana Americana vesicaria. Seb. Mus. 1.¢.71.f. 1,2, 3? Eared Frog. Merian Surin. pl. 56. Rana arborea maxima. Sloan Jam. ~~ Tuis, which in the Gmelinian edition of the Systema Nature is placed among the supposed varieties of the Rana arborea, or common Tree Frog, must, if any reliance be placed on the figures and descriptions of Madam Merian and Seba, be a very distinct species. Indeed the very circumstance of its having the hind feet web- bed, would alone be sufficient, if other circum- stances were wanting, to prove it entirely dis- tinct. It appears to be nearly thrice the size of the Rana arborea, and is of a greenish brown above, variegated by several differently formed spots, veins, and patches of yellowish green; and on each side of the neck is a very remarkable pro- tuberance, resembling an obtusely conical, in- flated pouch. The figures of Seba and Merian, though slightly differing as to the minuter cir- cumstances of the exact distribution of spots and colours, agree inthis particular; and the descrip- tion given by Sloane, in his History of Jamaica, expressly mentions this feature. This animal is sometimes found on trees, and sometimes in the water; according to the different periods of its’ 134 ORANGE FROG. growth, &c. &c. Madam Merian’s figure being taken, as she informs us, from the living animal, is here introduced in preference to those of Seba. It is observable, however, that the hind feet in this figure appear but slightly palmated ; whereas, in Seba’s representation, they are strongly webbed. Madam Merian’s figure is accompanied by the larvee or tadpoles in their different stages of growth. She informs us, that the frogs are found in stagnant waters; that they have ears in their heads, and knobs or balls on their feet, which Na- ture has given them in order to enable them to pass with facility over the morassy places they in- habit. ORANGE FROG. Rana Aurantia. R. aurantia, corpore artubusque gracillimis, Orange-coloured Frog, with very slender body and limbs. Rana Brasiliensis gracilis. Seb. 1.¢.73.f. 3. THIs species is a native of South America, and is of a smaller size than the European Tree Frog, slender-bodied, long-limbed, and entirely of a reddish orange colour. Like the rest of this divi- sion, 1t inhabits trees, 135 TINGING FROG. Rana Tinctoria. R. rufa, corpore albo fasciato. Reddish Frog, with the body fasciated with white. La Rouge. Cepede ovip. p. 560. pl. 39. SMALLER than the European Tree Frog. Na- tive of South America. Of a red or very bright ferruginous colour above, marked with a pair of longitudinal white stripes, which in the younger specimens are often crossed by a transverse stripe. It is a species which varies considerably in the disposition of its colours. It inhabits trees, and is said to be sometimes used by the South Ameri- can Indians for the purpose of introducing new colours on green parrots, which, while yet young, are plucked on particular parts, and afterwards well rubbed or anointed on the bare spots with the blood of this Frog ; in consequence of which, as is pretended, the new feathers on those parts spring of a red or orange-colour instead of green ; thus varying the bird with parti-coloured plumage. The specimen of this Frog described and figured by Cepede had the stripes on the body rather yel- low than white; so that it probably varies in the colour as well as the disposition of its marks. 136 WHITE FROG. Rana Alba. R. tota alba. Frog entirely of a white colour. Hyla lactea. Laurenti Specim. Med. p. 34. La Couleur de Lait. Cepede ovip. 1. p. 561. Tuis small species is a native of the warmer parts of North America, where, like others of this tribe, it inhabits woods. It is entirely of a white colour, with a few spots or patches on the upper parts of a brighter or clearer white than the ground-colour. It is said sometimes to vary ; the ground-colour having a slight plumbeous or cine- reous Cast. | BILINEATED FROG. Rana Bilineata. R. viridis, linea utrinque longitudinal flava. Green Frog, with a strait yellow line on each side the body. Tree Frog. Catesb. Car. 2. p. 71. pl. 71. Tuis is figured by Catesby, and has generally been considered as, at most, a variety of the com- mon or European Tree Frog, from which it scarce seems to differ, except in having the yellow line on each side the body somewhat straiter, or with- out those undulations which take place in the for- mer animal. It inhabits woods, and is extremely common in the warm and fenipen ate parts of North America. . BLACK-STRIPED FROG. TST The following somewhat doubtful or not well- determined species are mentioned by Mr. Schnei- der, in his publication on the Amphibia. PUNCTATED FROG. Rana Punctata. CoLovr whitish grey, with small, irregular, snow-white specks on the head and back, and a snow-white band from the eyes to the hind legs: gape running beyond the eyes: abdomen and thighs beneath thickly beset with calli or papille: body very thin near the thighs. Mr. Schneider speaks of a drawing of this species, which represented it of a brown colour, instead of grey; so that the colour of the first described specimen might, per- haps, have been changed by being preserved in- spirits. BLACK-STRIPED FROG. Rana Melanorabdata. AMoNG some drawings executed in brasil by the command of Prince Maurice of Nassau, pre- served in the Royal Library at Berlin, this species occurs, but unaccompanied by either name or de- scription. The head and back are green, with trans- verse black bars. Perhaps, says Mr. Schneider, it may be the same with a Frog described by Marc- grave, under the name of Rana arborea mediocris magnitudinis, tota ex flavo albicans superius, at inferius per totum lutei coloris: crura postica me-. dietate .inferiore etiam lutei coloris, sed trans- versim lineis nigris variegata, ut et latera ventris. Among some drawings by Madam Merian, in 138 COMMON TOAD. the British Museum, is a Frog which seems much allied to the above. Its size is that of a small or half-grown common frog, and its colour a bright green above, and pale or whitish-brown beneath ; the sides of the body and insides of the limbs bright yellow, beautifully marked with pretty nu- merous transverse, jet-black streaks and patches ; each of the thighs having a pale line running down the cwddle of the inner part: the fore feet have four, and the hind five toes, all unwebbed, and without claws, except the two exterior toes of each hind foot, which are represented with sharpish oie claws. TOADS. COMMON TOAD. Rana Bufo. R. fusca, tuberculis rufescentibus, subtus pallida. Brown Toad, with rufous-brown tubercles; pale beneath. Rana corpore ventricoso verrucoso lurida fuscoque. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 354. Bufo terrestris, dorso tuberculis aati de. oculis rubris, Roes. Hist. Ran. p. 85. t. 20. , i Bufo s. Rubeta. Raj. Quadr. 252. Or all the European Toads this seems to be the most universally known; at least, in its com- plete or perfect form. It is found in gardens, woods, and fields, and frequently makes its way into cellars, or any obscure recesses in which it may occasionally conceal itself, and where it may find a supply of food, or a security from too great J uopuo Tg lune Togr ufBQM, “a WDA PB BSLV a *JIIGS? IID GF A LO Liye J GH i, Ge Lge, yey ty ALSO) Lip Uy, Spe ges ye Hig yy Ls glo VEIT LTP Gz} rare NINN NN BN RY NA aN SAN = D aa mar Z = = == aS =z —S=- — we ome wr ae em Ps Ze a e— \ 1 yy RK Ae NN SNR WSs WN Mi oe NY \ uy) SSN \ WS ANNA WN Ne XY y ‘ TEN a RN j - if NAN i \ AN SN J RN} NAT A WW Sra ANY BREN SNR RETR Raheny NY iy NK a RANSRN ies y AN RAN nae NY ANY EAN "\ AT v0) xine ANY HY oa iB SU ASA RRR AY ye nt wy yy UN \ ASU : ee os ny RNY N ’ Nas Ai aN a A NY wi a a aN aut ‘ o AS ane | SONNY Ret AV; . NY LASS Us ath att Ra Ue Xt SORE AOR ra ae } Ne peraibita CUN Iw ‘f a ee. ¥SNY, x ENG OAS Me — SONS ; \ ns Hy Wehbe a Wey A aN ns YN rH a ZA i ae i ae a Xe wt 4 Ay), RIAN a 1% 1 we Hi ot ie an aN Ne xt a oe NWR sau a as SE (essa NK ae a SAW KUT if ‘ ee AN a Nit NM AN mt iH Hy! Ru i, En ai x oo i i ae yp ‘i th i Ae Whi ae my) j fi ANN i ARN TEA nity ay Rt Ys KK i. A a ‘ me « x ‘ ibs Me ‘) « Whe oo wi S a iit j i a He 7 nh i is \ ‘i ny as \ we Ri WN ae iN ay x ua a ey aN u ii aN ‘i iy ‘i NY iu i OWWO ,) Nf “avo, S COMMON TOAD. 139 a degree of cold. In the early part of spring, like others of this genus, it retires to the waters, where it continues during the breeding season, and deposits its ova or spawn in the form of double necklace-like chains or strings of beautifully trans- parent gluten, and of the Boal of three or four feet, in each of which are disposed the ova in a continued double series throughout the whole length, having the appearance of so many small jet- Sblaak plotiites or beads; being in reality no other than the tadpoles or larvee convoluted into a globular form, and waiting for the period of their evolution or hatching, which takes place in the space of about fourteen or fifteen days, when they break from the sur rounding g gluten, and, like the tadpoles of frogs, swim about in the water, and are nourished by various animalcules, gluten, leaves of water-plants, &c. &c. till, having ar- rived at their full growth, the legs are formed, the tail gradually becomes obliterated, and the animals leave the water, and betake themselves to the surface of the ground. ‘This generally hap- pens early in the autumn, at which period it is not uncommon to find such numbers of the young animals in some particular places, that their ap- pearance has frequently given rise to the vulgar idea of their having being showered from hie clouds. The Toad is an animal too well known to re- quire any very particular description of its form ; and the figure accompanying this article will perhaps be more impressive than any verbal de- 140 COMMON TOAD. tail. It may be necessary to observe that it 1s always covered by tubercles, or elevations on the skin, of larger or smaller size in different indi- viduals, and that the general colour of the animal is an obscure brown above, much paler and irre- gularly spotted beneath. The Toad, however, is occasionally found of an olive cast, with darker variegations ; and in some specimens, more espe- cially in the earlier part of summer, the shoulders and limbs are marked with reddish spots, while a tinge of yellow often pervades the under parts both wat the limbs and body. The Toad arrives at a considerable age; its ge- neral term of life being supposed to ok to fif- teen, or even twenty years ; and Mr. Pennant, in his British Zoology, gives us a curious account, communicated by a Mr. Arscott, of Tehott, in Devonshire, of a Toad’s having lived, in a kind of domestic state, for the space of more than forty years, and of having been, in a great degree, tamed, or reclaimed from its natural shyness or desire of concealment ; since it would always re- gularly come out of its hole at the approach of its master, &c. in order to be fed. It grew to a very large size, and was considered as ‘so singular a curiosity, that even ladies, laying aside their usual aversion and prejudices, requested to see the favourite Toad. It was, therefore, often brought to table, and fed with various insects, which it seized with great celerity, and without seeming to be embarrassed by the presence of com- pany. ‘This extraordinary animal generally re- COMMON TOAD. 141 sided in a hole beneath the steps of the house door, fronting the garden; and might probably have survived many years longer, had it not been severely wounded by a raven, which seized it be- fore it could take refuge in its hole, and notwith- standing it was liberated from its captor, it never again enjoyed its usual health, though it con- tinued to live above a year after the accident happened. The Toad was formerly supposed to be a great enemy to the Spider; or rather the Spider to the Toad. On this subject a tale is told by Erasmus, so completely absurd, so curiously ridiculous, that it may well serve as a standard proof of the gene- ral ignorance which prevailed at that less enlight- ened period. ‘¢ Monachus quidam, &c. &c.” Erasm. de Ami- citia. The tale is thus translated by Topsel : << There was a Monk, who had in his chamber divers bundles of green rushes, wherewithal he strowed his chamber at his pleasure: it happened on a day after dinner, that he fell asleep upon one of those bundles of rushes, with his face upward, and while he there slept, a great Toad came and sate upon his lips, bestriding him in such a manner as his whole mouth was covered. Now when his fellows saw it they were at their wit’s end*, for to pull away the Toad was an unavoidable death, but * And that, seemingly, no very long tether ! to use an expression of the facetious Dr. Baynard. 149 COMMON TOAD. to suffer her to stand still upon his mouth was a thing more cruel than death: and therefore one of them espying a spider’s web in the window, where- in was a great spyder, he did advise that the Monk should be carried to that window, and laid with his face upward right underneath the spyder’s web, which was presently accomplished. And as- soon as the Spyder saw her adversary the Toad, she presently wove her thread, and descended down upon the Toad, at the first meeting whereof the Spyder wounded the Toad, so that it swelled, and at the second meeting: it swelled more, but at the third time the Spyder kild the Toad, and so be- came grateful to her Host which did nourish her in his Chamber.” ‘* The antipathy between a Toad and a Spider,” says Sir Thomas Brown, ‘‘ and that they poison- ously destroy each other, is very famous, and so- lemn stories have been written of their combats, wherein most commonly the victory is given unto the Spider. Of what Toads and Spiders it is to be understood would be considered; for the Phalan- giwm and deadly Spiders are different from those we generally behold in England. However the verity hereof, as also of many others, we cannot but desire; for hereby we might be surely pro- vided of proper antidotes in cases which require them; but what we have observed herein, we can- not in reason conceal; who having in a glass in- cluded a toad with several spiders, we beheld the spiders without resistance to sit upon his head, and pass over all his body, which at last, upon COMMON TOAD. 143 advantage, he swallowed down, and that in a few hours, to the number of seven. And in like man- ner will Toads also serve bees, and are accounted enemies unto their hives.” From the experiments of Laurenti, it appears that small lizards, on biting the common Toad, were for some time disordered and paralytic, and even appeared to be dead, but in some hours were completely recovered. ~ It is also observed, that dog's, on seizing a toad, and carrying it for some little time in their mouth, will appear to be affected with a very slight swell- ing of the lips, accompanied by an increased eva- cuation of saliva; the mere effect of the slightly acrimonious fluid which the toad on irritation exsudes from its skin, and which seems, in this country at least, to produce no dangerous symp- toms in such animals as happen to taste or swal- low it. The limpid fluid also, which this animal suddenly discharges when disturbed, is a mere watry liquor, perfectly free from any acrimonious or noxious qualities, and appearing to be no other than the contents of a peculiar reservoir, common to this tribe, destined for some purpose in the eco- nomy of the animals which does not yet appear to be clearly understood. 'The common Toad may. therefore be pronounced innoxious, or perfectly | free from any poisonous properties, at least with respect to any of the larger animals; and the innu- merable tales recited by the older writers, of its supposed venom, appear to be either gross exag- gerations, or else to have related to the effects of 144 COMMON TOAD. some other species mistaken for the common Toad ; it being certain that some of this genus exsude from their skin a highly acrimonious fluid. The Toad is, however, looked upon with great aversion by the major part of mankind, and it must be confessed, that its appearance is not cap- tivating: yet the eyes are remarkably beautiful ; being surrounded by a reddish gold-coloured iris, the pupil, when in a state of contraction, appear- Ing transverse. It might seem unpardonable to conclude the history of this animai without mentioning the very extraordinary circumstance of its having been occasionally discovered enclosed, or imbed- ded, without any visible outlet, or even any pas- sage for air, in the substance of wood, and even in that of stone or blocks of marble. For my own part, I have no hesitation in avowing a very high degree of scepticism as to these supposed facts, and in expressing my suspicions that proper atten- tion, in such cases, was not paid to the real situa- tion of the animal. That a Toad may have occasion- ally latibulized in some part of a tree, and have been in some degree overtaken or enclosed by the growth of the wood, so as to be obliged to continue in that situation, without being able to effect its escape, may perhaps be granted : but it would probably con- tinue to live so long only as there remained a pas- © sage for air, and for the ingress of insects, &c. on which it might occasionally feed; but that it should be completely blocked up in any kind of stone or marble, without either food or air, appears COMMON TOAD. 145 entirely incredible, and the general run of such ac- counts must be received with a great many grains of allowance for the natural love of the marvellous, the surprise excited by the sudden appearance of - the animal in an unsuspected place, and the conse- quent neglect of minute attention at the moment, to the surrounding parts of the spot where it was discovered *. Pan * On this subject a curious experiment was made by Mons. Herrissant of the French Academy, in consequence of an asser- tion, that in the year 1771, on pulling down a wall at a seat be- longing to the Duke of Orleans, and which had been built forty years, a living toad had been found in it; its hind feet being con- fined or imbedded in the mortar. Mr. Herrissant, therefore, in the presence of the Academy, inclosed three toads in as many boxes, which were immediately covered with a thick coat of plaister or mortar, and kept in the apartments of the Academy. On opening these boxes eighteen months afterwards, two of the toads were found still living: these were immediately reinclosed ; but on being again opened some months after, were found dead. These experiments are, perhaps, not very conclusive; and only appear to prove what was before well known, viz. that the Toad, like many other Amphibia, can support a long abstinence, and requires but a small quantity of air: but in the accounts gene- rally given of toads discovered in stones, wood, &c. the animals are said to have been completely impacted or imbedded, and without any space for air. 3 Wels Ps I: 10 146 ALLIACEOUS TOAD. Rana Alliacea. R. pallida, fusco marmorata, linea dorsali albida, pupils perpendicularibus. Pale-grey Toad, marbled with brown, with a whitish dorsal line, and perpendicular pupils. | Bufo aquaticus, allium redolens, maculis fuscis. Roes. Hist. Ran. iD. a ¢. 17, 18. | Ai HIS species appears to have been first de- scribed by the incomparable Roesel, who found it in the neighbourhood of Nurenberg. In its general form it much resembles the common font but the head is rather longer in propor-— tion. The whole animal is also. nearly smooth, or almost void of those protuberances with © which the skin of the former is marked. Its — : colour on the upper parts is a brownish grey, _ deeper or lighter in different individuals, and marbled oi variously-sized spots or patches of deep brown, which on the sides are so disposed as to form a kind of reticular appearance; and in some specimens a few small spots of red or orange colour are dispersed over the shoulders and sides. The under parts are of a pale grey or whitish co- lour.. The eyes are remarkable for having the pupil, when contracted, of a perpendicular form, as in the eyes of cats, and not horizontal, as in others of this genus. ‘The spawn, which in the common toad is deposited in the form of double chains or strings of gluten, consists, in this spe- cies, of a iigte string, of considerable thickness, in which the ova are extremely numerous, and. UOL? E0GT a ‘DIIBS’ IY T NYSIOZLI AQ PU QIN UOPUIT Wt Wea NA) \\ ae RAW NU HNN ' y" aN ) Wand : Bt rt Ni "h "QNIS YJOIT “avVO], SUOROVITIY 4 ST1OAay J, ; « A\\Y F : i SS \ wee =” <~ ALLIACEOUS TOAD. 147 disposed in a confluent manner through the whole length of the spawn, instead of being placed in two rows, as in the common species. ‘This string of spawn sometimes equals almost two feet in Jength, being purposely shortened in the annexed engraving, in order to bring it within the compass of the plate. Another remarkable character in this animal, and which gives rise to its name, is, that it dif- fuses, on being disturbed, an extremely strong odour, resembling that of garlick or onions, and which has the same effect on the eyes of those who examine and handle it; and sometimes a smell resembling that of the smoke of gunpowder seems to be combined with the former. | The tadpole or larva of this species arrives at so large a size, before it obtains its complete form, that, according to Roesel, it is considered by the country people in the neighbourhood where it is found as a kind of fish, and is eaten accordingly. It also serves as a good illustration of the long- continued error in natural history, relative to the South American species of Frog, called Rana Pa- radoxa, the tadpole of which, as the reader has al- ready seen under that article, is larger in appear- ance than the complete animal, and has, in conse- quence of its size, been considered as a kind of fish, and described in many works on natural his- tory under the name of the Frog-Fish of Surinam. The tadpole of the present species, in a similar manner, exceeds the size of the young frog in its complete state; nor is this circumstance peculiar 148 ALLIACEOUS TOAD. to these frogs alone, but seems, in a greater or less degree, to run through the whole genus ; the soft, pulpy, and dilated form of the full-grown tadpole generally appearing larger than that of the newly- formed frog. These tadpoles are extremely vora- cious, and if kept in glasses of water, and fed with lettuce leaves and other vegetables, may be heard while in the act of eating, to the distance of seve- ral feet. This species seems to have been in a great de- gree unknown before the time of Roesel. It is an inhabitant of the waters, and but rarely appears on land, which is one principal cause of its hav- ing been so little attended to. The common Toad, on the contrary, is rarely found in the water, except during the breeding season, when it fre- quents stagnant waters in order to deposit its ova. The Alliaceous Toad is also of a much more lively aud active nature; its motion being sometimes ra- ther a kind of leaping than ceayalte pace; and on the hind feet is a sort of spurious aay or horny callus, situated beneath the heel, and which is not to be found in the common Toad. 43 . uv whey L lect Street . (MCG fled by b ‘London Pub * 2802 Sail . s bs ait li a - VERA ps ks WG SQ CS erty SL ANOS Be. 149 MEPHITIC TOAD. Rana Mephitica. R. olivacea, fusco maculata, verrucis subruben- tibus, linea dorsali sulphurea. te, _ Olive Toad, spotted with wy n, ‘petaM Es dorsal Ii h reddish warts, and sul- upper parts, s marked by yarrow band, hot the back: the is very distincth a pale sulph ur-c running down th not t sides are stronel 1 h yellowish red, the form re . beneath which are some irregul rk s; the outsides of the limbs are also 1 | irregularly with dusky or green colour, slight tinged with red: the body and limbs are very short and thick, and the fore feet are furnished beneath with a pair of bony tu- bercles or processes, by the help of se yhich, as well as by press g the L ody close toany. substance, SO- as to ect de air, this animal is enabled to climb to a considerable height up t he sides of walls, &c. which it often does, in order to discover a convenient place of retirement. The hind feet are perfectly void of any webbed appearance; _ whereas those of the common Toad are pretty 150 MEPHITIC TOAD. deeply palmated. In its pace it differs from the rest of the toad tribe; running, nearly in the man- ner of a mouse, with the body and legs somewhat raised. It is chiefly a nocturnal animal; lying — hid by day in the cavities of walls, rocks, &e. &c. The male and female perfectly resemble each other. They breed in June, resorting, at that time, to the waters, to deposit their ova, which are ex- cluded in double rows in a pair of long strings of gluten, in the same manner as the common Toad; and so speedy is the evolution of the ova, that the tadpoles liberate themselves from the spawn in the space of five or six days. This happens about the middle of June; and about the end of August the hind legs appear, which, in a certain space, are succeeded by the fore legs; and by September and October the animals appear in their complete form. Roesel informs us, that this species is known in some parts of Germany by the name of Roerhiing, or Reed-Frog, from its frequenting in spring time such places as are overgrown with reeds, where it utters a strong and singular note or croak. When handled or teized, it diffuses an intolerable odour, resembling that of the smoke of gunpowder, but stronger: this proceeds from a whitish acrimoni- ous fluid, which it occasionally exsudes from its pores. The smell in some degree resembles that of orpiment, or arsenic in a state of evaporation, and sometimes the animal can ejaculate this fluid to the distance of three or four feet, which, if it happen to fall on any part of the room where the MEPHITIC TOAD. 151 creature is kept, will, according to Roesel, be per- ceived two months afterwards *. To this species of Toad the following singular narrative, recorded by Boerhaave, may be sup- posed to refer : _ T lately read a wonderful history relative to the etficacy of odours. ‘Two mountebanks con- tending for the preference of their Orvietan or an- tidote, had a promise from the magistrate of a licence or privilege to him whose antidote ap- peared by experiment to perform the most. The trial was therefore begun by taking poisons them- selves. The first day each took the poison from his adversary, and each used his particular Orvietan or antidote; nor did the one or the other suffer any injury. On the next day, when they re- turned to their former calling, without any mani- fest hurt, the one told his adversary that he ought not any longer to contend with him, for that he had a kind of poison which resisted the efficacy of any antidote: but the other intrepidly defied him, and denied the fact. A drum was therefore brought, which was continually beat with sticks, and his adversary ordered to draw air from thence through his nose; to which he rashly consented, and immediately perished ; for his more crafty ad- * This is the less surprising, when we consider the effect of se- veral other animal odours. The caterpillar of the Phalena Cossus or Goat Moth, if kept, when full grown, in a chamber, for a short time, will have the same effect, and even a tin box in which it has been confined for some time, will retain the disagreeable odour for several months. 152 MEPHITIC TOAD. versary had included toads and vipers in the drum, which, being put into a rage by the beat- ing and trembling of the instrument, breathed out a poisonous vapour, which manifestly exerted its virulence upon the seat of life itself; namely, the brain !!!” : VAR.? Natter-Jack. Brit. Zool. 3. p. 18. To the above animal seems greatly allied the species known in some parts of England by the name of the Natter-Jack, and which is thus de- scribed in the British Zoology : ‘* This species frequents dry and sandy places: it is found in Putney Common, and also near Reevesby Abby, Lincolnshire, where it is called the Natter-Jack. It never leaps, neither does it crawl with the slow pace of a toad, but its motion is hiker to running. Several are found commonly _ together, and, like others of the genus, they appear in the evening. ‘‘The upper part of the body is of a dirty yellow, clouded with brown, and covered with porous pimples, of unequal sizes: on the back is a yellow line. The under side of the body is of a paler hue, marked with black spots, which are ra- ther rough. On the fore feet are four divided toes; on the hind feet five, a little webbed. The length of the body is two inches and a quarter ; the breadth one and a quarter: the length of the GREEN TOAD. 153 fore legs one inch one sixth; of the hind legs two inches.” In the above account no mention is made of any particular odour diffused by the animal on being disturbed ; so that it remains doubtful whe- ther it be the same with the mephitic toad before described, or not. GREEN TOAD. Rana Viridis. R. pallida, maculis subviridibus variata, verrucis rubellis aspersa. Pale Toad, varied with greenish spots, and reddish tubercles. Rana variabilis. R. colorem varians, dorso et lateribus gibbis ver- rucis in centro fulvescentibus, dorsi medi excilibus, in prominen- tissima hypochondiorum parte majoribus. Lin, Syst. Nat. Gmel. p- 1051. Pall. Spic. Zool. p.1. t. 6. f. 3, 4. Bufo Schreberianus. Laurent. dinph. p. 27. Bufo viridis. Schneider Hist. Amph. p. 200. Tue Green Toad is a native of Germany and some other parts of Europe, and seems to have been first described by Valisneri, and afterwards by Lau- renti, who informs us that it inhabits the cavities of walls about Vienna, and is distinguished by its greenish and confluent spots on the upper parts, disposed on a pale or whitish ground, and scat- tered over with tubercles, pretty much in the manner of the Calamita, or Mephitic Toad. Each of the green spots or patches is also bounded by a blackish margin, and the whole pattern has a somewhat rudely geographical or map-like ap- pearance: on the legs and thighs the spots are 154 GREEN TOAD. rather transverse, so as to form a kind of bars: the abdomen is of a pale or lurid colour: the tubercles are on some parts reddish, and on others green: the eyes are of a beautiful gold-colour, and seem, when the animal is irritated, to flash with a kind of phosphoric light. The odour of this species is very strong ; quale that of the common black or garden dele dade, but much more powerful, so as to filla whole room. The female is of a browner cast than the male. In winter this species retires under ground, and, like others of the genus, frequents the waters at the breeding season. It appears to vary occasion- ally in its colours; the ground-colour being some- times pale carnation. Its voice is said to resemble in some degree the creaking of a door hinge. Laurenti anf us, that the Sian kinds of grey lizard (Lacerta agilis. Var.) on biting this toad, immediately heron stronely convulsed, and die in the space of a few minutes ; their tails continu- ing very strongly convulsed for a considerable time after all motion has ceased in the other parts. Its size is smaller than that of the common toad. Dr. Pallas describes it in his Spicilegia Zoologica under the title of Rana variabilis, or the Varying Toad ; the general colour being described as whit- ash, and that of the spots green ; but when placed in a hot sunshine becoming entirely grey; when sleeping the spots alone appearing grey; and, lastly, when torpid, the general tinge being a flesh colour. “ ( i ya ee f Dis i v . iy 2 , : ‘ ‘ 5 I : fy o , } | 4 i f \ * ’ + ie QIABE IIT ASO IAG PYULQONT UOpUoT Tp UDnf sogr ‘avO]l, TNIMV IT 155 MARINE TOAD. Rana maxima fusco-flacescens verrucosa, gibbere utrinque humerali magno poris pertuso. Very large yellowish-brown Toad, with a large porous promi- nence over each shoulder. Rana scapulis gibbosis, clunibus nodosis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 356. Rana scapulis singulis scuto punctato, corpore lemniscis convexis rotundis ae: ano pet ee Laurenti Spec. Med. p. 31. Phas: is a very large species 5 equalling, if not exceeding, the Bull Fros in size, and is of a pale brown iboivile lighter Sebati, and is marked all over, except on the head, with small, oval, ches- nut-coloured tubercles: the head is smooth and veined with a few slight reticular marks, and from the nostrils to the shotlders; and thence down each side the back, run a pair of paler lines, as in many others of this genus. On each shoulder, as it were, or beyond the head, is a large and some- what oval eminence or projecting part, of a light brown colour, and marked with numerous distinct pores. These parts are, in reality, as Mr. Schnei- der has observed, no other than the parotid elands, which are more or less protuberant in all Toads, but which in this seem more than commonly con- spicuous, and may therefore be allowed to consti- tute a part of the specific character. The feet are destitute of webs, and the toes, which are four on the fore feet, and five on the hind, have a slightly orbicular termination, and are furnished with short ‘claws, resembling the human nails in miniature: 156 MARINE TOAD. the toes of the hind feet are very slightly connected. at their base by a small approach towards a web. Seba cails this species a Marine American Frog, and observes, that it seems calculated for living | both by land and sea; but gives no particular ac- count of its native place. Linneus appears to have described it merely from Seba’s figure, and Mr. Schneider, in his Historia Amphibiorum, cen- sures both the Linnean and Laurentian specific characters, as depending on a circumstance com- mon to all Toads, viz. the tuberous or prominent parotids ; but since, as before observed, those parts are remarkably conspicuous in the present animal, there seems to be no good reason why they should not be particularized in the specific character *. As to the tubercles at the extremity of the body, they are evidently, as Mr. Schneider has well ob- served, entirely owing to the natural folding of the skin in that part, when the animal is placed in the attitude represented by Seba; and disap- pear when the legs are placed in a different di- rection. | Specimens of this animal, examined by Mr. Schneider, appeared to agree in every respect with Seba’s figure, except in not having the tips of the toes visibly orbiculated. Mr. Schneider also speaks of a specimen of double the usual size, which he . * I must farther observe, that I have not pursued Mr. Schnei- der’s arrangement in the disposition of this genus ; but have placed some animals among the toads, which he would rank among the frogs, and vice versa. —— DOUBTFUL TOAD. 157 saw in the collection of Dr. Bloch, and which ap- peared to resemble this species, but was entirely pale, or colourless. DOUBTFUL TQAD. Rana Dubia. R. fusco-flavescens verrucosa, gibbere utrinque hu- merali magna porosa, pedibus posticis subhexadactylis subpal- matis. Yellowish-brown verrucose Toad, with a large porous promi- nence over each shoulder, and subhexadactyle subpalmated hind feet. : Rana musica?? R. humeris gibbis punctatis. Lin, Syst. Nat. p. 354. Or this animal a specimen is preserved in the British Museum, under the title of Rana musica: its size is that of a common toad, but the shape of the body differs; seeming gradually ’to decrease from the shoulders to the hind legs, somewhat in the manner of the Hyle or tree frogs. Its co- lour, so far as can be determined from the speci- men, long preserved in spirit of wine, appears to have been a moderately deep brown above, and pale or whitish beneath, slightly marbled or varie- gated with brown. The whole upper surface is beset with distinct oval pustules or tubercles, somewhat resembling those of the Rana marina of Seba; to which, indeed, the animal appears allied by the very large size of, the prominent parts on each side the shoulders, or parotids, as Mr. Schneider chuses to call them, which are ex- tremely tumid, and appear perforated by numerous 158 DOUBTFUL TOAD. distinct pores. The under parts of the body Arey granulated, or beset with tubercles of a much smaller kind: the outsides of the thighs are co-— vered with slightly muricated or pointed warts. The feet are formed like those of the common Toad : the fore feet being unwebbed, and consist- ing of four toes, with pretty distinct claws or cal- lous tips: the joints of the toes are also tubercu- lated beneath; and under the foot are two very remarkable calli, or protuberances, as in those of the R. mephitica: the hind feet are webbed towards the base, in the same manner as in the common Toad; and may rather be said to have six than five toes ; the exterior side of each being furnished with a kind of spurious joint or blunt callous claw : the under part of the hind feet is tuberculated be- neath the joints, and scattered over with many small granules. _ Whether this be the species. intended iy Lin- nexus, under the name of Rana musica, may per- haps be questioned. In the Systema Nature he refers to no author or figure, but informs us, that the animal is a native of Surinam, and that it has a musical voice. I am, therefore, strongly in- clined to believe that his Rana musica is in reality no other than the Merian Frog, which Seba de- scribes as having a pleasing or musical voice, and adds, that the inhabitants consider the sound as a presage of fair weather. “P29. FONT AQSLOW I AQ PUDQN | UOPUOT (Ul? ZOGE XS \S \ ih Nl \ AK QS SS SS "avOL GawLryy SSS - ~. SS SSS 159 MITRED TOAD. Rana Typhonia. R. fusca, linea dorsali albida, capite triangulari, Brown Toad, with whitish dorsal line, and triangular head. Rana typhonia. R. auricularibus lobis ovatis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 356. 7 Rana margaritifera. R. ex fusco rubra, granulis dilute rubellis conspersa. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1050. Laurenti Spec. _ Med. p. 30. Bufo Typhonius. Schneid, Amph. p. ae ve first describer of this species § seems to have been Seba, who calls it by the name of Aquaqua, and represents it as a native of Brasil. Its size is that of a CO mmon Toad, and its colour on the up- per parts is a rufous brown, with a pale or whitish line down the back, and which appears to be not equally conspicuous in different specimeiis: the under part of the animal is whitish or pale; the thighs are barred with brown; and the skin over the whole body is beset with numerous small gra- nules or protuberances of a blueish or pearly cast ; but the principal character of this species is the subtriangular form of the head; the sides of which, beyond each eye, project into an angular protu- berance, as shewn in the figure; and from the nose along each side. of the head runs an elevated white line over the shoulders to the sides: the fore feet are tetradactylous and unwebbed ; the hind feet pentadactylous, and webbed in the usual pro- portion, as in the common Toad. Mr. Schneider speaks of five bifid tubercles on the middle of the back, which seem to be indeed expressed in 160 BRASILIAN TOAD. Seba’s figure, though not mentioned in the de- scription accompanying it. This species, on ac count of the singular form of its head, is co: monly called the ‘Mitred Toad. 7 GE bs ipl ie conspersa. Rufous Toad : spots. Bufo Brasilien Seb. 1. p. 116. t i ee test Rana Brasiliens inereo flavescens, lis rubris undosis, subtus gl ‘mel. p. 1 Laur. Amph p. 26. -. THIs, w siderably lat its general , which, in ibles, but the - rounded. i et, which webbed, have five, which termi i This animal, acco is a native of th island of Cuba; 2 ote a" = + ey Rs es Ss Bees! She ataes S » Say SVR tke PIIDS PIB ASLO D A PUYQNT UOpPUoy Tune ZOgT + Gms YROUT X \ al ‘ AD fi | “dvOl NVITISVAG 47. \'\ i} \, \N NY \ WN \\W\\ VViMy\\h \ \y ‘a \ ii iM] lif ! Wi WN \ \ \\\ N 1 IAN WH “// —— RANULATED TOAD. G \ Be ay \ \ yf: Mi, i WINN Be He Nh a \ \\ A . \ Ww 1602 Jani1 London Lubifhd by 6 hearst Fleet Strect. Wy) | , olf iy =e Z o, = —S== a = SS z Z == = S 2 i Ze SSS ~ Zz = = i —~, = = = =—O) CG SeEZ Yj ee ty ‘= Zz >= y So S i @) A yy EZ ZZ SS SS BE SEZ LSSSSS= EAS Fe, Zs ZS *s & = SSS LL fo «Z Ezy ae R BAZ fs ZB ae S im ——j—— y z= SSS : ZZ Ss == = TEAC GY “ = aS = ae ZH), \\: Ss ee ee LZ, Wy ——a = oo. Wy *S is a \\ S = I= WE = : CE aon LD WINONA SSR GRANULATED TOAD. 161 himself, we may conclude that it is chiefly found in South America. Mons. Cepede informs us, that in the Royal Cabinet at Paris there is a specimen of this frog which measures above seven inches from the nose to the extremity of the body. GRANULATED TOAD. Rana Ventricosa. R. granulata pallida, ventre dilatato, lateribus fusco maculatis. Pale-brown granulated Toad, wae dilated Ebdomet marked on “the sides with blackish spots. Rana Brasiliensis, pineal Pipe species. Seb. 1. p. 117. i i: TA Sf. te ~ Rana ventricosa. OR ore semiovato, a prominulo, Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 355. eek ~ Tuts species is also described and fieured by Seba, who tells us that it is a native of Basil aad is allied to the Pipa, or Surinam Toad. The head ‘is large, as are also the eyes: the gape wide: the Hiay: somewhat depressed; the abdomen very broad; the limbs rather short. than long; the fore fe tetradactylous ; the hind feet ae tylous and webbed. The colour of the upper parts is a pale yellowish or rufous brown; the un- der parts paler or whitish, and the sides marked by ‘a longitudinal band of smallish irregular black or | eaky spots. The upper surface, both of body -.and limbs, is also covered with somewhat dis- -tinctly. placed granules or tubercles of different sizes; those on the neck, shoulders, and thighs, being larger than the rest ; while on the last joints eer. bo tei 162 HORNED TOAD. of the legs they are much smaller, and more closely set. Seba’s figure represents it as of very consi- derable size, measuring six inches from ihe nose to the end of the body. HO RNED TOAD. oN Siaics Rana Cornuta, R. cinerea fusco fasciata, palpebris conicis. Cinereous Toad, fasciated with brown, with conical eyelids. Rana cornuta. R. palpebris conicis. Lin. ‘Syst. Nat. p. 356. Bufo cornutus seu pcs Vir: ginianus. 7 2 pi 115. a 7m ee 2. Phi owe the viele sate a table it is, ele } haps, difficult to find an animal of a more singular | appearance than the present, which may be re- garded as of a more deformed and hideous aspect — chan even the Pipa, or Toad of Surinam. This — arises not so much from the general shape of the animal, as from the extraordinary structure of the upper eyelids, which are so formed as to resemble — a pair of short, sharp-pointed horns; while the — width of the mouth is such as to exceed that | of any other species, and even to equal half the ine length of the body itself. Oi a oe This wonderful animal, says Seba, is ae a short and thick form, and remarkable for having two sharp horns on its head, within which are Sroated the eyes. The skin of the body, both above and below, is of a cinereous yellow, striped with lines of obscure greyish brown. Along the back runs a broad white band, commencing at the head, and HORNED TOAD = eS Se SG SN 1802 Jan’2 London Publijhd by O Mearslev Lleet Svecl Ss oe —-— “avo, CANO Ty A HORNED TOAD. 163 thence decreasing gradually, so as to appear nar- row over the hind parts: it is also beset with small specks like pearls. All the rest of the body is rough with sharp spines, except the head, which is variegated with white, and the abdomen, which is of a deep rufous yellow. The legs are sur- rounded by a kind of bands or fillets, and the toes are marked in a similar manner, and resemble in some degree the human fingers, and are four in number on the fore legs, and five on the hind: the hind feet are also webbed. The head is very large and thick, and when the mouth is opened, ie bits a broad. and thick tongue, shaped somewhat like an oyster, and ened in front to the lower > aw, but loose behind, as in frogs: it is also co- vered over with papille: on each side the head, above the eyes and wide mouth, is a black spot on a white ground. The female agrees in all respects with the male, except that the mouth is still wider, and the front is variegated in a somewhat different manner: between the eyes is a.broad stripe, growing narrower on the nose: beneath each eye is a spot resembling an additional or false eye: the hind feet very ich resemble hands, having a thumb and four fingers, without being webbed as in the male. Seba seems to have been misinformed as to the native country of this species, which he. imagined to be Virginia; but the animal is now known to be a native of South America only. | It appears that this animal was pretty well de- scribed so long ago as the year 1726, in the cata- ™ 164: HORNED TOAD. logue of Vincent's Museum, at the Hague. It’ is there called Bufo Americanus rarissimus, &c. ‘* The body large and round; the back cinereous, marbled with brown: the brown colour, - which appears in the middle, parted by a cinereous list or stripe, which: runs from: the lower: part of the horned eyes, to a.great distance, and ends in a point... Above the large, horned eyes, which are seated near each other, and towards the back part of the head, .are placed two holes, or seeming spi- racles: the head is smooth and broad; ‘but the back; on each side the middle stripe, :is beset with rough tubercles as far as the belly :. there are four feet, which ‘are marbled with deep brown spots: the mouth is very large, being a hand’s breadth in diameter, and equalling that of the body: beneath the mouth and neck the colour of the skin is brown: all the belly, as far as the. rump, is whit- ish: the toes of the feet are divided ;. those of the fore feet being four in number, and these of the hind five.” | 3 Mr. Schneider also has described two specimens of this animal, which were brought from Surinam. The parts which Linnzus somewhat improperly calls horns, are, he observes, a pair of acuminated, callous processes, of a conical shape, seated on the eyelids : the whole back, according to Mr. Schnei- der, is scattered over with sharp tubercles; and. the ‘gape of the mouth reaches almost half the length of the body: the eyes rather small, and less distant than in most other frogs: the feet smooth, and the tees unarmed: the fore feet unwebbed ;: HORNED TOAD. 165. the hind feet slightly webbed: each upper eyelid, which rises up into a large and conical callus or horn, is beset with small tubercles: on the sides of the body were, in these specimens, some fulv- ous, spots, and. some large striated calli, resem- bling; in some degree, the spines on the back of a skate: the edge’of.the upper jaw was beset with very thickly-placed crenatures or denticulations : the tongue thick, rough, fixed in front, but loose on the Back parti “2. Thus the whole account confirms the fidelity of Seba’s description and figures, which, from the extreme singularity, as well as rarity, of the spe- cies, séemed,’ in: some: degree, to have ‘been con- sidetedias:dubious: | Si5@ gests) be eorfotiic: Of Jall animals . yet known, this: may,’ perhaps, according to our general or,popular ideas of pro- portion’ and ‘beauty; be considered as the most de- formed: a sentiment, however, merely to be ad- mitted’so far as‘it relates toa comparison with other beings, which we. have accustomed ourselves: to consider as more perfect. On this subject let’ us attend to the sentiments of a celebrated writer of the seventeenth century. , ‘¢ T hold there is a general bath in the see of God, and, ‘therefore, no deformity in any kind or species of creature whatsoever: I cannot tell by what logic we.call.a Toad, a Bear, or an Elephant, ugly; oe being created in those outward shapes and figures.which best express the actions of their inward forms. And having past that general visi- tation of God; who saw that all that: he had carl 166 HORNED TOAD. was good, that is conformable to his will, which abhors deformity, and is the rule of order and beauty, there is no deformity but in monstrosity ; wherein, notwithstanding, there is a kind of beau- ty; Nature so ingeniously contriving the irregu- lar parts, as they become sometimes more remark- able than the principal fabrick. To speak yet — more narrowly, there never was any thing ugly or mis-shapen but the chaos: wherein notwith- withstanding, to speak strictly, there was no de- formity, because no form; nor was it yet impreg- nate by the voice of God. Now Nature is not at variance with Art, nor Art with Nature; they beme both the servants of his Providence. Art is the perfection of Nature; were the world now as it was on the sixth day, there were yet a Chaos. Nature hath made one World, and Art another. | In brief, all beings are artificial, for Nature is the Art of God.”—Rel. Med. p. 9. The learned and acute Sir Kenelm Digby, in his observations on the above passage, replies, ‘‘ That logick which he quarreleth at, for calling a Toad or Serpent ugly, will in the end agree with his: for nobody ever took them to be so in re- spect to the Universe (in which regard he defend- eth their regularity and symmetry), but ‘only as they have relation to us.” +4 222.90 222YL APOIO DY PUBINE UOPUCT FUP 7B "Vd 167 PIPA. Rana Pipa. R. fusca, digitis anticis apice quadrifidis. Brown Toad, with the toes of the fore feet quadrifid at their extremities. Rana Pipa. RR. digitis anticis muticis pie dentatis, posticis un- guiculatis. Lan, Syst. Nat. p. 354. Bufo aquaticus pullos super dorsum gerens, Merian Surinam, pl. 59. - Bufo aquaticus Surinamensis. Vincent. pip. 1726. £02, Rana Surinamensis. Bradl. Nat. t. 22. f. 1. Bufo s. Pipa Americana. Seb. 1. p. 121. ¢. TT The Fue or r Surinam Toad. ; THIs also i is one of those animals which, at first ees every one pronounces deformed and hide- ; the general uncouthness of its shape being nite apgtavated by a phenomenon unexampled in the rest of the animal world, viz. the young in various stages of exclusion, Epecionas, from cells dispersed over the back of the parent. The size of the Pipa consider ably exceeds that of the common toad: the body is of a flattish form; the head subtriangular; the mouth very wide, with the edges or corners furnished with a kind of short cutaneous, and, as it were, lace- rated appendage on each side: in the male, how- ever, the head is rather oval than triangular, and the parts just mentioned less distinct: the fore feet are tetradactylous, the toes long and thin, and each divided at the.tip into four distinct por- tions or processes, each of which, if narrowly in- spected with a magnifier, will be found to be 168 . PIPA. again obscurely subdivided almost in a similar manner: the hind feet are five-toed, and very widely webbed ; the web reaching to the very tips of the toes. ‘The male Pipa is larger than the female, measuring sometimes not less than seven inches from the nose to the end of the body: the nose in both sexes is of a somewhat truncated form, like that of a mole, or hog, and the eyes extremely small: from each eye, in the female, run two rows of granules or glandular points to the middle of the back: the whole body is also covered with similar points or glandules, but smaller than the former: in the male a single row of granules proceeds from each eye down the back, instead of a double row, as in the female: these points or granules are also larger than in the — female, and gradually decrease in size as they ap- proach the lower part of the back: the skin round the neck, in both sexes, forms a kind of loose or wrinkled collar: the abdomen of the male is of a browner tinge than that of the female, and is some- times obscurely spotted with yellow; but the gene- ral colour, both of the male and female Pipa, is a dark or blackish brown. The Pipa seems to have been first made known to European naturalists about the latter end of the seventeenth century, and to have been first described by Ruysch. It was afterwards described and fig ured by Madam ~ Merian ; but with much greater accuracy by the editor of Seba’s Museum, cothele it 1s represented | in its different states. It was for a long time supposed that the ova of AK SS — i a = eT Ee ee ~— “ = Gi / r 4 ’ : J s ; : ae ne < i ‘ j “a of i } ; ms Pours fz ¥ F ak » ‘ ALLIGATOR. 193 discrimination, however, of Blumenbach and some others seems in reality to prove that the Alligator or American Crocodile is specifically distinct from the Nilotic, though the difference is not such as immediately to strike a general observer. The leading difference, if it be allowed to constitute a distinction of species, seems to be, that the head of the Alligator is rather smooth on the upper part than marked with those very strong rugosities and hard carinated scales which appear on that of the Crocodile; and that the snout is considerably flatter and wider, as well as more rounded at the extremity. The Alligator arrives at a size not much inferior to that of the Crocodile, specimens having been often seen of eighteen or twenty a in Hest | ‘ Tose the largest and greatest numbers of Alligators,” says Catesby, ‘‘ inhabit the torrid zone, the continent abounds with them ten de- grees more north, particularly as far as the river Neus in North Carolina, in the latitude of about 33, beyond which I have never heard of any, which latitude nearly answers to the northermost parts of Africa, where they are likewise found. They frequent not only salt rivers near the sea, but streams of fresh water in the upper parts of the country, and in lakes of salt and fresh water, on the banks of which they lie lurking among reeds, to surprise cattle and other animals. In Jamaica, and many parts of the continent, they are found about twenty foot in length: they can- not be more terrible in their aspect than they- are Vv. UI. P. I, 13 194 ALLIGATOR. : : formidable and mischievous in their natures, spar- ing neither man nor beast they can surprise, pull- ing them down under water, that being dead, they may with greater facility, and without struggle or resistance, devour them. As quadrupeds do not so often come in their way, they almost subsist on fish; but as Providence, for the preservation, or to prevent the extinction of defenceless creatures, hath in many instances restrained the devouring appetites of voracious animals, by some impedi- ment or other, so this destructive monster, by the close connexion of his vertebre, can neither swim nor run any way than strait forward, and is con- sequently disabled from turning with that agility requisite to catch his prey by pursuit: therefore they do it by surprise in the water as well as by land; for effecting which, Nature seems in some measure to have recompensed their want of agility, by giving them a power of deceiving and catch- ing their prey by a sagacity peculiar to them, as well as by the outer form and colour of their body, which on land resembles an old dirty log or tree, and in the water frequently lies floating on the sur- face, and there has the like appearance, by which, and his silent artifice, fish, fowl, turtle, and all other animals are deceiv ed, suddenly catched and _ devoured.” ce Carnivorous animals get their food with more . difficulty and less certainty than others, and are often necessitated to fast a long time, which a _ slow concoction enables them to endure: reptiles “particularly, by swallowing what they eat whole, ALLIGATOR. 195 digest slowly, eat seldom, and live long without food. Wolves are said to gorge themselves with mud, to supply the want of better food. or the like cause many Alligators swallow stones and other substances, to distend and prevent the contrac- tion of their intestines when empty, and not to help digestion, which they seem in no need of. For in the greater number of many I have opened, nothing has appeared but clumps of lightwood and pieces of pine tree coal, some of which weighed eight pounds, and were reduced and wore so smooth from their first angular roughness, that they seemed to have remained in them many months. ‘They lay a great number of eggs at one _time, in the sandy banks of rivers and lakes, which -are hatched by the heat of the sun without further -care of the parents. ‘The young, as soon as they are disengaged from their shells, betake themselves to the water, and shift for themselves; but while young they Serve as a prey not only to ravenous fish, but to their own species. It is to be ad- mired that so vast an animal should at first be contained in an egg no bigger than that of a turkey. 3 _ “Tn South Carolina they are very numerous, but the northern situation of that country occa- sions their being of a smaller size than those nearer _the line, and they rarely attack men or cattle, yet are great devourers of hogs. In Carolina they lie _ torpid from about October to March, in caverns --and hollows in the banks of rivers, and at their coming out in the spring, make an hideous bel- 196 | ALLIGATOR. lowing noise. The hind part of their belly and tail are eat by the Indians. The flesh is delicately white, but has so perfumed a taste and smell that I never could relish it with pleasure.” According to the observations of Mons. de la Borde, as related by the Count de Cepede, it ap- pears that the Alligators in South America deposit their eggs, like the turtles, at two or three differ- ent periods, at the distance of some days from each other; laying from twenty to about four- and-twenty eggs each time. Mons. de la Borde adds, that those of Cayenne and Surinam are ob- served to raise a little hillock towards the banks of the river they frequent, and hollowing it out in the middle, to amass together a heap of leaves and other vegetable refuse in which they deposit their eggs, and covering them with their leaves, a fer- mentation ensues, by the heat of which, joined to that of the atmosphere, the eggs are hatched. The time at which the Alligators about Cayenne begin to-lay their eggs, is the same with that in which the turtles also deposit theirs, viz. the month of April. Both the Alligator and the Crocodile are supposed to be very long-lived animals, and their growth is extremely slow. CO ne AEN) Hi Wy | a ‘ : DT ee a TE GN i auth S rT it | AVN CROCODILE. TIC w) AN Gi G 601 Deel1London Publifhed by 6 Hearsley,F lect Street. 197 ~ GANGETIC CROCODILE. Lacerta Gangetica. L. mazillis elongatis teretibus subcylindricis. _ cauda superne cristis binis in unam confluentibus horrida, Lin. _ Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1057. Gronov. Gazoph. 2. p. 11. Lizard with elongated subcylindric jaws, and tail furnished above with two crests coalescing into one towards the ex- tremity. Jun. ? Crocodilus ventre marsupio donatus, faucibus merganseris rostrum emulantibus. Edw. Act. Angl. 49. p. a ie , Gangetic, or Indian Crocodile. » Lge Gangetic Crocodile is so strikingly distin- guished both from the Nilotic and the Alligator by the peculiar form of the mouth, that it is hardly possible, even. on a cursory view, to con- found it with either of the former; the jaws being remarkably long, narrow, and perfectly strait, and the upper mandible terminated above by an ele- vated tubercle. In the general form and colour of the body and limbs it resembles the common Crocodile, but the number of transverse zones or bands formed by the rows of scales, on the back, is greater than in that species. In a very young state the length and narrowness of the snout are still more conspicuous than in the full-grown ani- mal. The teeth are nearly double the number of those of the common Crocodile, and are of equal size throughout the whole length of the jaws. This species is a native of Indie and is princi- pally seen in the Ganges, where it arrives at a size at least equal to the Nilotic Crocodile, and is of similar manners. It seems to have been first no- 198 GANGETIC CROCODILE. ticed as a distinct species by Edwards, who, in the Philosophical Transactions for the year 1759, gave an accurate description, accompanied by a good ficure, of a young specimen preserved in spirits, and which was received by Dr. Mead from Ben- gal. This specimen had a remarkable aperture on the skin of the abdomen, which was at that time considered as forming a kind of specific character, but which was probably nothing more than the pas- sage by which the umbilical vessels of the animal were attached during its confinement in the egg. It was however supposed by Edwards to have been the opening of a ventral pouch destined for the reception of the young, as in the Opossum. The general structure of the feet is similar to that of the common Crocodile, except that the third and fourth toes only, and this on the fore as well as hind feet, are connected together by a web. ‘‘ The eyes,” says Edwards, ‘‘ are very prominent, and seem to be so constructed that they may be carried above the water, while the rest of the animal is wholly under water, in order to watch its prey on the surface, or on the banks and shores of rivers.” In the British Museum is a specimen of this _ animal measuring about eighteen feet. In the Le- verian Museum is an elegant and well-preserved specimen of much smaller size, viz. about three’ feet in len gth. EE OF; MI yr ici lo es Va mM | (| Se Can Ss COT ALGAE <; MEALS P. Sg A VA wo Z: " a HG MAYS by fy 4 or 4 g 2 W323 Nis \y yt YU Ay ah Vy 4 Vi Leyla ) AT ra i wens PORTH mage Gully tT NOTA Beg Old titi Wd aiid yl ytir Liptay oats WIGae ’, ined) re f;! 199 - Guanas with serrated dorsal crest, &c. COMMON GUANA. 2 Lacerta Iguana. LL, cauda tereti longa, dorso serrato, crista gule denticulata. : ae with long round uly serrated back, and denticulated gular crest. oP eect Iguana. LL. cauda tereti longa, sutura dorsal dentata, evista gule denticulata. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 366. E “a itecrta Leguan. Bont. Jav, 56. Lacertus Senembi & Iouana. Raj. Quadr. 265. 5 Ke Leguana. Seb. Mus. 1. t. 95, 96, 97, &c. os The Great American Guana, — _ Tuovueu the Lizard tribe affords numerous ex- amples of strange and peculiar form, yet few spe- cies are perhaps more eminent in this respect than the Guana, which grows to a very considerable size, and is often seen of the length of three, four, and even five feet. It is a native of many parts of America and the West-Indian islands, and is also said to occur in some parts of the East Indies. Its general colour is green, but with much varia- tion in the tinge of different individuals: it is _ generally shaded with brown in some parts of the body, and sometimes this is even the predomi- nating colour. The back of the Guana is very strongly serrated; and this, together with the gular pouch, which it has the power of extending or inflating occasionally to a great degree, gives a formidable appearance to an animal otherwise harmless. It inhabits rocky and woody places, and feeds on insects and vegetables. It is itself 200 ‘COMMON GUANA. reckoned an excellent food, being extremely nou- rishing and delicate; but is observed to disagree with some constitutions. The common method of catching it is by casting a noose over its head, and thus drawing it from its situation; for it sel- _ dom makes an effort to escape, but stands looking intently at its discoverer, inflating its throat at the same time in an extraordinary manner. The Guana has been described and figured by several authors, but the most expressive ee are those given by Seba. ‘“ Guanas,” says Catesby, ‘‘ are of various sizes, from two to five feet in length; their mouths are furnished with exceeding Stl teeth, but their jaws armed with a long beak, with which they bite with great strength: they inhabit warm coun- tries only, and are rarely to be met with any where north or'south of the tropics. Many of the Ba- hama islands abound with them, where they nestle in hollow rocks and trees: their eggs have not a hard shell, like those of Alligators, but a skin only, like those of a turtle; and are esteemed a good food. They lay a great number of egos at a time, in the earth, which are there hatched by the sun’s heat. These Guanas are a great part of the subsistence of the inhabitants of the Bahama islands, for which purpose they visit many of the remote Kayes and islands in their sloops to catch them, which they do by dogs trained up for that ‘purpose, which are’ so dextrods as not often to kill them, which if they do, they serve only for pre- sent spending ; if otherwise, they sew up their COMMON GUANA. 201 mouths, to prevent their biting, and put them into the hold of their sloop till they have catched a sufficient number, which they either carry alive for sale'to Carolina, or salt and barrel up for the use of their families at home. These Guanas feed wholly on vegetables and fruit, particularly on a kind of fungus growing at the roots of trees, and on the fruits of the different kinds of Annonas. Their flesh is easy of digestion, delicate, and well- tasted: they are sometimes roasted, but the more common way is to boil them, taking out the leaves of fat, which are melted and clarified, and put into a calabash or dish, into which they dip the flesh of the Guana as they eat it. It is remark- able that this fat, which adheres to the inside of the abdomen, imbibes the colour of the fruit the animal eats last, which I have frequently seen tinged of a pale red, yellow, or sometimes of a purple colour, which last was from eating the Prunus maritima, which fruit, at the same time, I took out of them. Though they are not amphibious, they are said to keep under water above an hour. When they swim, they use not their feet, but clap them close to their body, and guide themselves with their tails: they swallow all they eat whole. They cannot run fast, their holes being a greater security to them than their heels. They are so impatient of cold, that they rarely appear out of their holes but when the sun shines.” © The Guana,” says Browne, in his Natural History of Jamaica, ‘‘ like most of the tribe, lives a very considerable time without food, and changes 902 COMMON GUANA. its colour with the weather, or the native moisture of its place of residence. I have kept a grown Guana about the house for more than two months: it was very fierce and ill-natured at the beginning, but after some days it grew more tame, and would, at length, pass the greatest part of the day upon the bed or couch, but it went out always at night. I have never observed it to eat any thing, except what imperceptible particles it had lapped up in the air; for it frequently threw out its forked tongue, like the Cameleon, as it walked along. The flesh of this creature is liked by many people, and frequently served up in fricasees at their tables, in which state they are often preferred to the best fowls. The Guana may be easily tamed while young, and is both an innocent and beauti- ful creature in that state.” The female of this species is said to be smaller than the male, and of brighter colours. VAR.? ‘Horned Guana. Le Lezard cornu. Cepede ov. 2. p. 493. Tuis, according to Cepede, its first describer, is so much allied to the common Guana, that it might almost be supposed a variety of that species, which it resembles in size and general propor- tions, serrated back, form of scales, &c. but is destitute of the gular pouch or crest, while in front of the head, between the eyes and nostrils, are seated four.rather large scaly tubercles, be: Og. ici LAN G Ww A BOL | ACM XX at ae Sry ltngte Ms iy NAN\\ He \\ ( MA\\\\ TTA \ Ww HUI \ x \ AN HON NY \\ ETUC) HCN AM aN Aen A Aye *\ NAAN at A vA a Salas iy \ . oe Ws \ ww WY : Wt i; ' Na Aye \ \ at ‘ ‘Wait \a! at tt i \ COE a! . Ee Hearsiey Puce Si cee 1602 Jarts London Labyjnd by AMBOINA GUANA. 905 hind which rises an osseous conical horn or pro-_ cess, covered by a single scale. This Lizard is a native of the island of St. Domingo, where it is said to be very common. Mons. Cepede informs us that he had seen two specimens, one of which wanted the large tubercles on each side - head. AMBOINA GUANA. ‘Lacerta Amboinensis. JL. cauda tereti longa, *pinna caudal radiata, sutura dorsali dentata, Schlosser de lacert. Ambut- mens. 1768. Long-tailed variegated Lizard, with radiated tail-fin, and den- "tated dorsal suture. Nat. Miscell. pl. 403. The variegated Amboina Lizard. Tus highly remarkable species appears to have been first described by Valentyn, in his account of the East Indies, and particularly of the island of Amboina, where it is principally found; but a much more accurate description, accompanied by an exquisite figure, was published in the year Hee 8 by Dr. Albert Schlosser. This Lizard appears in some degree to fakin a connecting link between the Giang and the Ba- silisk. It grows to the length of three feet, or even more, and is at once remarkable for the singularity of its appearance and the beauty of its colours. The head is rather large than small, somewhat tuberculated above, and covered with | small roundish scales: the upper jaw obtuse and 204 AMBOINA GUANA. somewhat inclining to a square termination ; the lower is rounded: the scales surrounding the lips are larger than on other parts of the head: the eyes are moderately large; the foramina of the ears conspicuous; the forth wide; the teeth sharp and numerous; the tongue large, fleshy, and slightly emarginated at the tip: the skin about the neck, throat, and breast, is loose or wrinkled ; the body is covered with very small oblong or somewhat square scales, interspersed with much larger rounded or oval ones, scattered here and there over the sides. and about the shoulders and thighs: the tail is very long, of a rounded form, and furnished above with a very broad, rising crest or upright process, scolloped, or si- nuated on the edge by slight subdivisions, and internally strengthened by several, bony radii re- sembling those in the fins of fishes: the scales on this part of the tail are larger than on the other parts: from the back of the head to the extremity of the tail runs a continued series of denticulated serratures, gradually diminishing in size as they approach the tip of the tail: the legs are mode- rately long, stout, and scaled in a similar manner with the body: the feet are large and strong, and are each furnished with five toes, edged on their sides with a denticulated or pectinated skin, and terminated by strong, curved claws. | The head and neck of this animal-are green, va- riegated, by transverse whitish. undulations: the | back and tail brown, with a sight blueish or AMBOINA GUANA. 205 purplish cast; the sides and abdomen pale-brown or greyish, spotted by the round white scales be- fore mentioned. __ This Lizard, according to Valentyn, resides in the neighbourhood of rivers and other fresh waters. It is frequently observed on the banks of rising . grounds, as well as on the lower kind of shrubs which grow near the water, but does not ascend the taller trees. When disturbed by the approach of men, dogs, &c. it instantly plunges into the water, and hides itself beneath the rocks or stones under the banks, from whence, however, it may be easily taken; and, when caught, does not at- tempt to bite, or defend itself, but seems, as it were, stupefied. It may also be caught by a noose orsnare. It lays its eggs in the sari especially near the small islets of the rivers it frequents: these eggs, while in the belly of the animal, are of a les, colour, and are disposed into two long eroupes or clusters, but when laid are white, and of an oblong shape. The male and female differ considerably in size and distribution of colours; the female being of a more obscure tinge than the male, and having but little appearance of the crest or process on the tail. This animal is more esteemed as a food than even the common Guana, and its flesh is said to be very white, sweet, and of a penetrating odor. Valentyn, who had attended to the anatomy of the animal, informs us, that it has a small trian- gular heart ; an oblong liver, with a round gall- Madder foal reddish lungs, slightly tinged with 206 BASILISK. lead-colour; a narrow, whitish stomach, coated, or, as 1t were, enveloped in fat, and large.intestines, in which were discovered the berries and seeds of certain aquatic shrubs, together with some small semitransparent pebbles, and a kind of worms not — unlike millepedes. . Of this curious Lizard a very fine specimen oc- — curs in the Museum of the late Mr. John Hunter. BASILISK. Lacerta Basiliscus. LL. cauda tereti longa, pinna dorsali radiata, occipite cristato, Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 366. Long-tailed Lizard, with radiated dorsal and caudal fin, and pointed occipital crest. Draco arboreus volans Americanus ainiphibne sive Basiliscus. Seb. Mus. 1. p. 156. ¢. 100. ft 1. The Basilisk. Nut. Mise. pl. 142. Tue Basilisk of the ancients, supposed to be the most malignant of all poisonous animals, and of which the very aspect was said to be fatal, is a. fabulous existence, to be found only in the repre- sentations of painters and poets. Without citing other descriptions, it may be sufficient to quote that of Lucan, who, with true poetic licence, re- presents the Basilisk exerting his terrific glance in the burning deserts of Africa, and obliging the rest of the poe tribe to preserve -an innaible — | . af Sibilaque effundens cunctas terrentia pestes, Ante venena nocens, late sibi submovet omne *- -. Vuleus, et in vacua regnat Basiliscus arena.” G3 y t) yy sN \ Ny NY " WN’ Nin Ae AR Wey, Tht) PEN) NAVBNING.// WD fee BWR HI ATT) onan ‘is L,I TOgT Wqnf uopuo VED AY PIU fi BA, ANAL Vigo TA i} Hg f TE Tt feel rely, “MS VUES V * QALY Aaot Vio rty UATE Woe > I i t \ \ i ¢ Pav} { \ ‘ f es s } . o ’ ’ Ae ( ' , | BASILISK. 907 But fiercely hissing through the poison’d air The Basilisk exerts his deathful glare : At distance bids each vulgar pest remain, And reigns sole monarch of his sultry plain. - But the animal known in modern natural his- tory by this name is a species of Lizard, of a very singular shape, and which is particularly distin- guished by a long and broad wing-like process or expansion continued along the whole length of the back, and to a very considerable distance on. the upper part of the tail, and furnished at certain distances with internal radii analogous to those in the fins of fishes, and still more so to those in the -wings of the Draco volans, or Flying Lizard. This process is of different elevation in different parts, so as to appear strongly sinuated and in- dented, and is capable of being either dilated or contracted at the pleasure of the animal. The occiput or hind part of the head is elevated into a very conspicuous pointed hood or hollow crest. Notwithstanding its formidable appearance, the Basilisk is a perfectly harmless animal, and, like many other of the Lizard tribe, resides principally among trees, where it feeds on: insects, &c. It has long ago been admirably figured in the work of Seba, and as it is an extremely rare species, has sometimes been considered (from the strange- ness of its form) as a fictitious representation. There is, however, in the British Museum, a very fine specimen, well preserved in spirits, and which fully confirms the excellency of Seba’s figure ; from which, in all probability, Linneus himself 208 GALEOTE LIZARD. (who never saw the animal) took his specific de- scription. The colour of the Basilisk is a pale cinereous brown, with some darker variegations _ towards the upper part of the body. Its length is about a foot and half. The young or small spe- at cimens have but a slight appearance either of the dorsal or caudal process, or of the pointed occl- ae putal crest. The Basilisk is principally found in South America, and sometimes considerably exe ceeds the length before mentioned, measuring — three feet, or even more, from the nose to the ex- tremity of the tail. It is said to be an animal of great agility, and is capable of swimming occa- sionally with perfect ease, as well as of springing from tree to tree by the help of its dorsal crest, which it expands in order to support its flight. GALEOTE LIZARD. Lacerta Calotes. LL. cauda terett longa, dorso one bape postice dentato.- Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 367. Lizard with long round tail; the back dentated on the fore part, and the head on the hind part. Lacertus Ceilonicus amphibius, seu Leguana Soa Ajer dicta, : Seb. 1. p. 149. t, 95; f. 3, 4. Lacerta Ceilonica, &c. Ascalobotes Gracis dicta. Seb. 1. P- 146. es ee Tuts species is considerably allied to the com- mon Guana in habit or general appearance; but is of much smaller size, rarely exceeding the length of a foot and. half from the tip.of the nose to the extremity of the tail. It is also destitute SS GALEOTER LIZARD. SSE Ro erm eee MARBLED LIZARD. ita “ip b + GALEOTE LIZARD. 209 of the very large gular pouch, so conspicuous in that animal; instead of which it has merely a slight inflation or enlargement on that part. In colour it occasionally varies, like most of this tribe ; but is commonly of an elegant bright blue, variegated by several broad, and somewhat irre- gular white or whitish transverse bands on each side of the body and tail. From the hind part of the head, to the lower part of the back, runs a strongly serrated crest, the divisions of which are long and sharp-pointed: the region of the head, on each side, behind the eyes and ears, and more particularly round the latter, is furnished with se- veral serratures of a similar appearance to those on the back; forming one of the principal cha- racteristics of this species. The scales are larger in proportion than those of the Guana, sharp- pointed, and marked by a pretty strong carina: the limbs are rather slender than stout, and the toes more remarkably so: the tail exceeds the body very considerably in length, and terminates acutely. : This species has been well represented in the work of Seba, who has figured several varieties, differing in size and colour. It is a native of the warmer regions both of Asia and Africa, and is found in many of the Indian islands, and particu- larly in Ceylon, in which it is common. Accord- ing to the Count de Cepede it is also found in Spain, &c. and is said by that author to wander about the tops of houses in quest of spiders; and he observes, that it is even reported to prey on V. III. P. I. 14 910 ' AMERICAN GALEOTE. rats, and to fight with small serpents in the man- ner of the common Green Lizard and some others. AMERICAN GALEOTE, Lacerta Agama. LL. cauda tereti longa, collo supra capiteque pos- tice aculeato, occipitis squamis reversis. Lin, Syst. Nat. p. 367. Lizard with long round tail; the neck above and the head be- hind aculeated ; the scales of the hind-head reversed, Salamandra Americana, &c. Seb. 1, p. 169. t. 107, Tuis is in some respects allied to the Calotes, but differs in wanting the very conspicuous dor- sal serratures, instead of which it has only a small denticulated carina on that part: the head is larger in proportion, and is covered on the back part with elongated or sharp-pointed scales, some of which are more or less reversed at their extremi- ties: the body is coated with small scales, with several larger ones of a rounded form scattered here and there on the sides; the tail is long, and verticillated with stages of sharp-pointed scales: the whole animal is of a less slender and elegant aspect than the preceding, and is commonly of a brown or lead-coloured cast, clouded here and there with deeper and lighter variegations. It is a native of South America and some of the West- Indian islands, and sometimes grows to a very considerable size. The male is said to differ from the female in having the dorsal crest composed of longer spines, extending almost to the lower part ¥ D LIZARD. 1D J OAD= TAIL oy \ Bi MUTRICATED ILIZARD. D vley Llcee-Steet . 1802 JanizLondonPublijnd by Clica AMERICAN GALEOTE. o11 of the back, whereas in the female they scarce reach farther than the shoulders. VAR.? Lacerta Muricata. LL. cauda tereti longa, corpore griseo, squa- mis carinatis mucronatis. Muricated Lizard. L. with long rounded tail, body greyish, scales carinated and sharp-pointed. White's Voy. p. 244. 34. Ff: 2, Tuts variety, or the Brown Australasian Lizard, can hardly be considered as specifically distinct, though I have myself described it as such in Mr. White’s Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales. It measures more than a foot in length*; its ge- neral colour being a brownish grey, the whole upper part marked with transverse dusky bars, most conspicuous on the legs and tail, which latter is very long: the scales on every part of the animal are of a sharp form, and furnished with a prominent line on the upper surface: towards the back part of the head they almost run into a kind of weak spines: -the feet are furnished with moderately strong and sharp claws. The chief difference between this and the first described kind, exclusive of colour, seems to be the defect of the reversed scales on the back part of the head. * Specimens have sometimes been seen of much larger size.. Q12 : BIGCARINATED LIZARD. Lacerta Bicarinata. L. cauda compressa, supra bicarinata me- diocri, dorso quadrifariam carinato-striato. Lin. Syst. Nat. p- 361. Lizard with four rows of strong carinated scales on the back, and tail of moderate length. La Dragonne. Cepede ovip. 1. p. 243. pl. 16. Tuis species, which in the work of the Count de Cepede* seems in some degree confounded with the Dracena, is in general of much smaller size, the specimen figured in the work above men- tioned measuring but two feet five inches from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail. | In its habit it bears some resemblance to a Crocodile in miniature, having hard, tuberculated, and ca- rinated scales on the upper parts of the body, and two rows of scales more prominent than the rest, running from the upper part of the back to the tail, at which part they become confluent, and are continued in the form of a serrated crest, to the tip: the head is small; the mouth wide; the snout sharpish; the teeth pretty numerous; those in front of the mouth small, those situated back- wards larger, and more obtuse; the tongue forked. The colour of this animal, according to Cepede, is a reddish brown more or less tinged with * Lacertam is (Cepede) dracenam Linnei nobis promittit et pingit in tab. 16. que plane est bicarinata Linnei, cujus pictura accurata hucusque caruimus: quapropter imprudentiz Galli gra- tias agendas potius quam levitatem ejus taxandam esse censco. —Schneid. Amph. Phys, Sp, Alt. p. 40. BICARINATED LIZARD. 213 greenish in some parts. It is a native of South America, where, like the Guana, and some other Lizards, it is occasionally used as a food: the eggs also are said to be much esteemed for the same pur- pose. It frequents woody and marshy regions. Mons. de la Borde, a correspondent of the Count de Cepede, kept one alive for some time: it often continued in the water for hours together, hiding itself when disturbed or affrighted, but delighted in coming out occasionally, and basking in the sun. VAR.? In Brasil is said to be found a large lizard, much resembling the Crocodile, which readily climbs trees, and seems, according to the Count de Cepede, to be no other than a variety of the preceding; from which it differs in being of a darker colour, and having shorter claws. It is called by the title of Lgnarucu. The L. bicarinata is described by Linnzus, in the Systema Nature, as a small species. We must, therefore, either suppose Linnaeus to have described a very young or small specimen, or the species above described to be in reality different from the bicarinata, though marked by similar characters: or it is even possible that it may be a sexual difference of the Dracena, with which the Count de Cepede appears to confound it by quot- ing the figure of Seba as representing the same animal. | 214 MONITORY LIZARD. Lacerta Monitor. lL cauda ancipiti, corpore mutico nizro, ma- cults albis ocellatis. Black Lizard, with very long compressed carina tail, aad body marked by transverse rows of white ocellated spots. Lacerta Monitor. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 360. Lacerta Amboinensis elegantissima. Seb. 1. p. 147. t. 98. FM 233: Lacerta major Tilcuetzpallin in Nova Hispania dicta. Seb. 1. p. 152.¢. 97. f.2. L.Tupinambis. 2. ¢. 86. L. Tejuguacu. 2. t.105. L,. Mexicana. 2. ¢. 30. L. Ceilonica. 2. ¢. 49. Le Tupinambis. Cepede ovip. p. 251. pl. 17. Tue Monitor, or Monitory Lizard, is one of the most beautiful of the whole tribe, and is also one of the largest; sometimes measuring not less than four or five feet from the nose to the tip of the tail. Its shape is slender and elegant, the head being small, the snout gradually tapering, the limbs mo- derately slender, the tail laterally compressed, and insensibly decreasing towards the tip, which is very slender and sharp. Though the colours of this Lizard are simple, yet such is their disposi- tion, that it is impossible to survey their general effect without admiration. In this respect, how- ever, the animal varies, perhaps, more than most others of its tribe. It is commonly black, with the abdomen white, the latter colour extending to some distance up the sides, in the form of several pointed bands, besides which the whole body 1s generally ornamented by several transverse bands consisting of white annular spots, while the head GT o 3 ee ¢ / “ ¢ Op (1 . oF £ IMP ?. AIDS LIVI 1 F, 2, 74 a FA27, 3 77 i J / 7: SDD) ADS ¢ -! 7, 7 i to - 4 mb Wo GNA De Calal, De hy MONITORY LIZARD. 915 is marked with various streaks of the same colour, the limbs with very numerous round spots, and the tail with broad, distant transverse bands. In others the spots forming the lateral bands are simple in- stead of annular; and in others the annuli or white rings are themselves composed of small white spots, which are likewise often scattered here and there over the black ground-colour. The ground-colour in some, instead of being black, is of a deep ferruginous brown. All, however, agree so far in the general disposition of the variega- tions, that it is not easy to mistake the species for any other. This elegant animal is a native of South Ame- rica, where it frequents woody and watery places, and, if credit may be given to the reports of some authors, is of a disposition as gentle as its appear- ance is beautiful. It has even gained the title of Monitor, Salvaguarda*, &c. from its pretended attachment to the human race, and it has been said that it warns mankind of the approach of the Alligator by a loud and shrill whistle. VAR.? Lacerta Varia. Variegated Lizard. White’s Journ. of Voy. to New South Wales, p. 253. pl. 38. Nat. Misc. pl. 83. So nearly does this animal approach to the for- mer, that it may be doubted whether it should not * These names are also applied by some authors to different species, as the Teguiain, &c. 216 SPINE-TAILED LIZARD. be considered as a variety rather than a truly dis- tinct species. It differs, however, in colour, and in some degree in the disposition of its variega-_ tions, which are generally pale yellow instead of white, and in some specimens even of a bright gold-colour. ‘The markings on the body also, in- stead of the general ocellated pattern of the pre- ceding, consist rather of rounded or slightly sub- angular spots and variegations: the limbs, as in the preceding, are marked either with numerous bands or spots, and the tail is banded: the claws are very large and strong. This Lizard is a na- tive of New Holland. SPINE-TAILED LIZARD. Lacerta Acanthura. LL, gula subtus plicatu, corpore squamis mi- nutis tecto, cauda longa squamis carinatis spinoso-trifidis ver~ ticillata. 3 ‘ Lizard with the throat plaited beneath ; the body covered with minute scales ; the tail long, and verticillated with carinated triple-spined scales. A spECIMEN of this animal is preserved in the British Museum, where it is distinguished by the title above mentioned. Its length is about a foot and half, but it probably grows to a considerably larger size. The head, which resembles that of the Ameiva and Teguiwin in shape, is covered with somewhat small subhexagonal scales, and is very distinctly marked off, as it were, from the body: | beneath the throat is a very conspicuous transverse $PINE-TAILED LIZARD. 217. plait, as in the Ameiva: the whole skin also about the neck, throat, and beginning of the sides; is, in this specimen at least, remarkably lax, and it is probable that in the living animal the skin beneath the throat may have a kind of pouched appearance, though entirely without any middle carina on that part: the other parts of the body, both above and below, are covered with very small scales; of which, however, those of the under parts are rather larger than those of the upper. From the beginning of the neck to the. origin of the tail runs a series of short denticula- tions, forming a serrated crest of very slight ele- vation: the tail is very long, and strongly marked into numerous verticilli or rings, composed of very long and very strongly carinated scales; each terminating in a lengthened point —gg and thus causing a spiny appearance throughout the whole length of that part: the feet are all pentadacty- “lous, and the toes rather long; especially those of the hind feet: the claws strong and sharp. The colour of this species on the upper parts is glau- cous, variegated with a few small and somewhat indistinct clouds and marblings of a whitish cast: the tail and under parts are of a pale or yellowish white colour. This species seems much allied to the Quetzpaleo of Seba, 1. p. 152. t. 97. f. 4, which is generally supposed to represent the Azurea of Linneus. 218 SHARP-TAILED LIZARD. Lacerta Lophura. LL. corpore squamis inequalibus Cees, dorso serrato, cauda longa compresso-carinata. : Lizard with the body covered by dissimilar scales; the back serrated ; the tail long, and compresso-carinated. A very large species: at first view much re- sembling the Zeguarin in size, colour, &c. but is coated with scales of dissimilar size on different parts; large, rounded, and oval ones being scat- tered here and there among the smaller: tail long, carinated above, compressed, and sharp-pointed : both back and tail serrated throughout their whole length. In the British Museum, and in that: of Dr. William Hunter. : DRACANA LIZARD. Lacerta Dracena. LL. cauda supra denticulata longa, corpore . levi. digitis subequalibus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 360. — Large long-tailed Lizard, with smooth pe and tail denticu- lated along the upper part. Lacerta Americana maxima Cordylus & Caudiverbera fei: Dev. Lop. 158. t. TOL: | Tue Dracena may be considered as one of the largest of the Lizard tribe ; much exceeding the Guana in the general size of the body, as well as in the proportion of its limbs and tail. It is a na- tive of several parts of South America, as well as of some of the Indian islands, and is said to be YG WL Yi WY LOYD, AZ Ly br 07 << a a t SS : nse SEG y UA. : f HON SSS SEE wil \\ OK ay WM pesemessecemere it i \ S Pn | ; . : ty i y When y\ } N,Aypt'\" ' as c Wretgea AX TiNKt WAR Yet oe ROR Tho 4 Lawn ale NM ¢ a ry 1) PAM TYTTIK( a(t Ht) iN ' WP } ) ( ( ‘ Ht NA i) ,) y “Sy WN Wittens NS AW » \\ NS AU DRACZ NA LIZARD. Q19 more esteemed in some countries as an article of food than the Guana. The head is small, and of an elegant form, the snout tapering in such a manner as to bear a resemblance to that of an Italian greyhound : the teeth are small and nume- rous, and the tongue forked: the openings of the ears large, and surrounded by a well-defined scaly border: the proportions of the neck and limbs are elegant though strong, and the body is mode- rately thick: the tail is of a great length, though in a fine specimen, preserved in the Leverian Mu- seum, it is not quite so long in proportion, as re- presented by Seba, whose excellent figure is copied in the present work. The colour is brown, with a slight cast of chesnut, palest on the abdomen and insides of the limbs; the outsides of which are marked by numerous, small, pale, or yellowish spots. The whole animal is smooth, or destitute of prominences on the skin, which is covered with small, ovate, and, in some parts, slightly subqua- drate scales, largest on the outsides of the limbs, the back, and the abdomen: along the upper edge of the tail runs a continued series of short, tri- angular denticulations, as shewn in the engrav- ing: the feet are moderately strong, and the toes are armed with sharp, crooked claws. This ani- mal has been described by some of the older writers on natural history, under the name of Cordylus, or Cordyl; a name which has also been applied to different species. VAR.? In the Leverian Museum is a specimen, which differs in being of a very pale brown colour, va- riegated on the body and tail by several deep brown transverse bands, among which, as well as on the abdomen and limbs, are interspersed many smaller variegations and spots of similar colour: the tail much shorter than in the’ preceding, though of similar thickness or relative proportion to the body. SUPERCILIOUS LIZARD. Lacerta Superciliosa. LL. cauda carinata, dorsa superciisque squamis ciliatis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 360. : Lizard with carinated tail; the back and eyebrows ciliated with upright lariccolated scales. Lacerta Ceilonica bevisiata pera Seb. 1. p. 147 <4, 04. f0'1, - Tuts Lizard, in its general appearance, is some- what allied to the Guana, and more especially to the horned Guana of Cepede; having, like that animal, the appearance of a pair of sharp-pointed, horn-like processes above and beyond each eye, be- tween which are also situated a certain number of aculeated scales; while from the back of the head to the tip of the tail runs a series of short or slightly elevated serratures: the scales about the edges of the mouth and on the tip of the nose are, - GUIs Yyoyy ny iy) \ INU ( es RSS RN ) Z aw ee? 4 ol Vy RA NY Vi, TA, MN A ON LOMULILE Hy iy) a AH TIN AA pT AYN LIAB O Aa yyt y at Gas Rete Rue bs OG Me Ni t i PD, NEWRSY ASS = RRS NON) an \ Gi Ni i) ai \ , ie ad O°”. SCUTATED LIZARD. 991 as usual in most Lizards, larger than on the rest of the animal: the tongue is large and rounded : the body is covered with small subacuminated scales, those on the tail being somewhat larger: the limbs are rather slender, and the tail of mode- rate length. Seba figures two specimens of this Lizard, one of which has several rounded scales, of different sizes, interspersed here and there on the sides of the body, and which are not visible on the other. } This is an Asiatic species, and is also found in the Indian islands. ‘The colour of one of Seba’s specimens, both of which, he informs us, came from Amboina, was pale yellow, tinged with blue- ish variegations: the other with brown and whit- ish ones. The size is that of a small Guana, mea- suring from twelve to about sixteen inches from the nose to the tip of the tail. SCUTATED LIZARD. Lacerta Scutata. LL. cauda compressa mediocri, sutura dorsalt dentata, occipite bimucronato. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 360. Lizard with compressed tail of middling length, dentated dorsal suture, and two pointed processes at the back of the head. Salamandra prodigiosa Amboinensis scutata- Seb. 1. p. 178. t. 109. f. 3, 4. Tue L. scutata is allied in shape, size, and ge- neral appearance, to the former, but has a some- what larger head in proportion. It is principally distinguished by a row of scales more elevated gee SMOOTH-CRESTED LIZARD. than the rest, which pass over each eye; a sort of ridge or prominent edge being continued from those parts as in the Chameleon, towards the back of the head, where they unite, and are continued in form of a short denticulated crest, down the middle of the back to the beginning of the tail, which is much longer than the body. The body is covered with moderately small acuminated scales; the limbs and tail with somewhat larger ones. The colour of this Lizard is brown ; more or less deep in different individuals, and clouded. or mottled with a few variegations of a still deeper cast. It is a native of the island of Ceylon. SMOOTH-CRESTED LIZARD. Lacerta Principalis, LL. cauda subcarinata, crista gule intege- rinea, dorso levi. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 360. Lizard with subcarinated tail, plain-edged gular crest, and smooth back. Lacerta Ceilonica maculis albis & nigris notata. Seb. 2. p. 32, tas: Le Large-Doigt. Cepede ovip. p. 263. Tue L. Principalis is rather a small. species, scarce exceeding the length of eight or nine inches from the nose to the extremity of the tail. Its general form is rather slender ; the head small ; the snout taper; the back smooth, or destitute of serratures, a sharpened carina only running along the upper part of the tail: the throat is furnished with a gular crest which is of a smooth or rounded SMOOTH-CRESTED LIZARD. 925 outline: the scales on the whole animal are very small: the tail long, and the toes, as in some other lizards, somewhat dilated on each side to- wards their extremities. The colour of the animal is blue. It is a native of South America. VAR.? Lacerta bimaculata. L. cauda carinata denticulata, corpore duplo longiore, digitis palmarum plantarumque lobatis. Sparm, Nov. Act. Stoch. 3. t.4. Lin. Syst. Nat, Gmel. p. 1059. Tuts is, according to Mr. Schneider, no other than a variety of the Principalis, of a blue colour, spotted here and there with black, and having two larger spots of that colour over the shoulders. It is a native of St. Eustatia, and is also met with in Pensylvania. It is said to have a hissing or whist- ling voice. VAR.? Le Roquet. Cepede ovip. p. 397. pl. 27. Tuis appears much allied to the Principalis, which it resembles in size and habit, as well as in having the last joints of the toes somewhat en- larged or lobed on each side, but is destitute of the gular crest. In its manners it is said to re- semble the European green lizard, frequenting gardens, among trees, &c. moving nimbly about, and commonly holding its tail in an elevated po- sition, curving over its back. It feeds on the 294 STRUMOUS LIZARD. smaller insects, of which it destroys great multi- tudes. When tired with exercise, or oppressed with heat, it is said to hold open its mouth, and pant, with exserted tongue, in the manner of a dog. Its colour is a pale yellowish brown, with deeper and lighter variegations. STRUMOUS LIZARD. Lacerta Strumosa. LL. cauda tereti longa, pectore gibbo protenso. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 368. Lizard with long round tail, and gibbose projecting breast. Salamandra Mexicana strumosa. Seb. 2. t. 20. f. 4. Tus is a small species, about the size of the Principalis, and is entirely smooth or destitute of — any dorsal carina or serratures, but is furnished — with a large, flattish gular pouch or crest of a pale red colour, while the rest of the animal is of a pale blueish grey, with a few slight variega- tions of a more dusky tinge: the tail is much longer than the body, and is of similar colour, with a few obscure transverse bands: the limbs are moderately slender, and the whole habit is in some degree similar to that of the Principals. Itis a native, according to Seba, of South America. 225 MARBLED LIZARD. Lacerta Marmorata. L. cauda tereti longa, gula subcristata an- tice dentata, dorso levi. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 368. Lizard with long round tail, subcristated throat, and smooth back. ' Lacerta Chalcitica marmorata ex Gallecia. Seb. 2. p. 79. £70. fi 4? Le Marbré. Cepede ovip. p. 394. pl. 26. Tue Marbled Lizard is a moderately small spe- cies, measuring about a foot in total length, or something more: its habit is slender and elegant: the head rather small; the snout taper; the limbs slender, and the tail very long in proportion. The whole body is covered with small ovate scales, the back having a slight or scarce perceptible carina of rather sharper scales than on the other parts, and which become rather more apparent as they approach the upper part of the tail: beneath the throat is a slightly protuberant crested and somewhat dentated skin: the feet are formed nearly as in the Principalis, having slender toes, with the ultimate joints a very little dilated. The colour of this species is pale blue, variegated with undulating transverse fascie of a whitish cast: the belly is of a pale rose-colour. It is a native of America and the West-Indian islands, and, according to Linneus, of India. The gular pro- tuberance in the female is not perceptibly denti- culated: the tail in both is marked by three or V. III. P. I. 15 | 926. UMBRE LIZARD. four slightly rising or carinated longitudinal lines. This species is well figured in the work of the Count de sii in UMBRE LIZARD. Lacerta Umbra. LL. cauda tereti longa, nucha subcristata, occi- pite calloso, dorso striato. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 367. Lizard with long, round tail, neck subcristated above, hind- head callous, and back striated. Iguana sepiformis. Laur. Amph. p. 47. A MIDDLE-SIZED, or rather small species: na- tive of North America: first described by Lin- neus in the Museum Adolphi Friderici. Body covered with scales carinated and pointed at the tips, and down the back runs a carina formed by similar scales, somewhat more strongly marked: head of an obtuse and somewhat rounded form, and marked on the hind part by a large, callous, bare spot: beneath the throat a strong plait or furrow: body clouded with deeper and lighter shades, and the tail of considerable length. This seems a species very little known. ) i : aR i ‘ x ' kee itt G i. oe 4 F , ? Zs 7 4 / ¥ . f a i 5 : P £ u * s i , 4 kt * 7 \ : F H ia . : F, ‘ 1 2 ‘ aah J ‘ . ' i \ : : s a ‘ 4 hs ; zi ( ( Ann me : "3 te td a ‘ . be ‘ , ’ , vA ‘t a ~ pen 4 } , iy Ey ‘ t iN ‘ . ‘ = A | be bay ¥ = re a hes ite j eh / of. an F , o> 4 > ti 7&3 - = Ae , ri ¢ 7 : a \ 3 yee : : Le bee bs : re ‘3 Bye fey t ‘ UNE eee Mor ys ‘ e io z fn 5a , 7 . : i res —_ 4 f ? 7 \ On ai : : O: 2. >—s a wry ! non My vic Wy a Uff i LO SSE 4 . QD. ae > yee 4 ) ona = ~~ Lae Set as ~. Soa 2: AZURE LizarRD. yy L lect Street. CAT'S ‘Le, 1802 Jani2 London Publijnd by 6 227 Cordyles, with either denticulated or spiny scales on the body or tail, or both. PELLUMA LIZARD. Lacerta. Pelluma, ‘LL. cauda verticillata longiuscula, squamis rhomboideis. Lin, Syst. Nat. Gmel. p.1060. Molin. Chil, Dp. 190. Lizard with longish value tior es tail, and rhomboid scales. Tae is one of the middle-sized Lizards; the total length being nearly two feet, and the length of the body and tail nearly equal. It is a natiye of Chili, where it is said to inhabit hollows under ground. It is covered on the upper parts with very minute scales, and is beautifully variegated with green, yellow, blue, and black: the under parts are of a glossy yellowish green: the tail long and verticillated by rows of rhomboid scales. The skin of this Lizard is said to be used by the Chilians for the purpose of a purse. _ AZURE LIZARD. Lacerta Azurea. aT. cauda verticillata a squamis mucronatis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 362. Lizard with short tail, verticillated with mucronated scales. Lacerta Africana elegantissima. Seb. 2. p. 62. t. 62.f. 6. Lacerta Brasiliensis are, c. Sebel. p. 152. t. 97. fA. ? THE colour of fs species, in its natural or recent state, seems to be an elegant pale blue, fas- ciated on the body and tail with several transverse 228 CORDYLE LIZARD. and somewhat alternate bands either of black or very deep blue; but this is most conspicuous in the smaller specimens or varieties. It also ap- pears to be sometimes met with of a plain colour, or with only a pair of fascize on the upper parts of the body, as in the specimen figured on the an-— nexed plate. The head is rather obtuse ; the body moderately thick, and covered as well as the limbs, with very small smooth scales: the tail, on the contrary, which is of moderate length, is very dis- tinctly and strongly verticillated by rows of large carinated scales, the extremities of which project considerably, so as to form so many spiny points. In the smaller fasciated varieties the tail is shorter In proportion than 11 larger plain ones. A beautiful specimen of this kind, a the length of a very few inches, occurs in the Leverian Madbuis. ‘The large variety is a native of South America: the smaller of many parts of Africa. CORDYLE LIZARD. ' Lacerta Cordylus. LL. cauda verticillata brevi, squamis denticu- latis, corpore levigato. Lan. Syst. Nat. p. 361. Lizard with smooth body, and short tail verticillated with den- ticulated scales. Lacertus Africanus cauda spinosa. Seb. 1. p. 136. t. 84. f.3, 4. Lacerta nigra Africana. Seb. 2. p. 62. t. 62. f. 5. Tue Cordyle Lizard is so nearly allied to the Azurea, that on a cursory view it might easily be mistaken for the same species. It differs, how- % ! { ' ’ ‘ 4 ** ‘ r ‘ ay é t : 1 a . 4 ! . ig ‘ ' 1 fi : i 70 SEE OS ZE NIN Ni VA OR A OSE meer AY \ a \\ Wea | \ ly ‘! NS ae A aN ‘Hil NW A \\ \ ( \ y Z We ROUGH LIZARD. a 1801 Decl1.London Publifhed by 6 Kearsley, F leet Street. ROUGH LIZARD. | 2929 ever, in having the body covered by much larger scales, which are also of an oblong-square form ; and the tail, which does not much exceed the body in length, is verticillated by rows of very large scales of similar form, strongly carinated, and denticulated at their extremities. The colour of the animal is sometimes blueish, and sometimes of a dusky or livid brown: its total length is about ten inches. _ ROUGH LIZARD. Lacerta Stellio. L. cauda-verticillata mediocri, squamis denticu- _ latis, capite corporeque muricato, Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 361. Lizard with verticillated tail of middling length, with denticu- lated scales ; the body and head muricated. Lacerta aculeata promontorii bone spei. Seb. 2. p. 10. t. 9. fr 6. Tuis species is remarkable for the unusually rough or hispid appearance of its whole upper surface ; both body, limbs, and tail, being covered with pointed scales, projecting here and there to a considerable distance beyond the surface, so that — it appears muricated with spines: the tail is rather short than long, and is verticillated with rows of pointed scales. The general colour of the animal is a pale blueish brown, with a few deeper and lighter transverse variegations: its general length is about eight inches. It is a native of many parts of Africa. : | It may be here observed, that the Lizard which we may suppose to have been emphatically termed 930 ANGULATED LIZARD. Stellio, by the ancients, from its being marked with spots resembling stars, seems at present un- known. It is, however, observable, that in one of Seba’s plates a species occurs which is actually marked with well-defined or regular star-shaped spots. Mr. Schneider considers the Lizards called Geckos as the true Stelliones. ANGULATED LIZARD. Lacerta Angulata. LL. cauda hexagona longa, squamis carinatis — mucronatis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 364. Lizard with long hexagonal tail, with carinated and mucro- nated scales. ' A SMALL species, first described by Rolander. Head naked, marked by several unequal, elevated wrinkles, and truncated, as it were, behind, where it joins with the body: beneath the throat two large rounded scales: body covered with carinated scales, except on the belly, where they are smooth: tail longer than the body, and strongly marked or angulated by six longitudinal carme: colour brown: native of America. Vo a ‘IIE VPY) Ff AQSAVIY 4 Ag PYlagn of UOPUOY Two EO “@MaVvZzTy UWL OLE @) —S a a 93 | ORBICULAR LIZARD. Lacerta Orbicularis. L. supra muricata cauda tereti mediocrt, abdomine subrotundo, Lizard with muricated scales, short round tail, and bio rounded body. Lacerta orbiculare. LL. cauda terett mediocri, vertice trimuri- cato, abdomine subrotundo, Lan, Syst. Nat. p. 365. Lacertus orbicularis spinosus, &c. Seb. 1. p. 134. t.73.f. 1, 2. TuHIs remarkable species may be said to con- nect, in some degree, the Toad and Lizard tribes, havin g the large, ventricose body of the one, with the limbs and tail of the other. Its general size 1s as represented on the annexed plate, and its colour a dusky brown, variegated with deeper and lighter shades: along the back runs a carina of sharp- pointed scales, and the whole upper surface is covered with somewhat spiny or muricated ones of different sizes: the under parts are coated by flat, pointed, smooth scales, rather larger than those on the upper parts. This animal is a native of South America, and is one of the rarer species, being not often seen in collections. 252 Lizards proper, smooth, and the greater number _ furnished with broad ager plates or scales-on the abdomen, | GREEN LIZARD, Lacerta Agilis. LL. cauda verticillata longiuscula, squanis acutis, ; collari subtus squamis constructo. Lin, Syst. Nat. p. 363. Green Lizard, with minute dusky variegations, a collar of ie 2 scales beneath the neck, and long verticillated tail, Lacertus viridis, Aldr. Quadr, Ovip. 634. Raj. Quadr. 204. Lacertus yulgaris ventre nigro maculato. Raj. Quadr. 264, af Tuts elegant species, which is found in all the warmer parts of Europe, and which seems pretty generally diffused over the ancient continent, sometimes arrives at a very considerable size, measuring more than two feet to the extr emity of the tail: its more general length, however, is from ten to fifteen aac In its colours it is the most beautiful of all the European Lacerte, exhibiting a rich and varied mixture of darker and lighter ereen, interspersed with specks and marks of yel- low, brown, blackish, and even sometimes red. The head is commonly of a more uniform green than the rest: the under part of the animal, both on the body and limbs, is of a pale blue-green cast: the head is covered with large angular scales; the rest of the upper parts with very small ovate ones: the tail, which is commonly much longer than the body, is marked into very nume- rous verticilli, or rings of oblong-square scales, slightly bifid at When extremities : beneath ‘the Tener NS aes SERENE AIR D . Ww Liz GREE GLA, VHA Loe MEG EEG gh a ferns Uy WAY Kn 160? Janis London Publi{ad by ¢Kcarsley Flect Strect . >i ese A i ht (nel CTSA GREEN LIZARD. 233 throat is a kind of collar, formed by a row of scales of much larger size than the rest: the abdomen is covered, down its whole length, with six rows of broad transverse scales or plates, and the under surface of the limbs is also covered with similar scales: along the insides of the thighs* runs a row of papille or tubercles, commonly about thir- teen in number, which are also found’in many other lizards belonging to different sections of the genus, and which probably assist the animal in climbing, or clinging to the stems and branches of vegetables, &c.: the tongue is moderately long, broad at the base, bifid towards the tip, and co- vered on its broad part with numerous rows of minute sharp papille pointing backwards, and thus the better enabling the animal to retain and swallow its prey, which consists chiefly of insects, small worms, &c. The Green Lizard is found in various situations, in gardens, about warm walls, buildings, &c. and is an extremely active animal, pursuing with great celerity its sect prey, and escaping with great readiness from pursuit when disturbed. If taken, however, it 1s soon observed to become familiar, and may even be tamed to a certain degree; for which reason it is considered as a favourite animal in many of the warmer parts ot Europe. It appears to run into numerous varie- ties both as to size and colour, but in all these states the particular characteristics of the species are easily ascertained. * This is always to be understcod as relating to the hind thighs ‘ only, VAR.? Smaller, or grey Lizard. , Scaly Lizard. Brit. Zool. 3. p. 20. pl. 2.f. 2. Little Brown Lizard. Edw. pl. 225. ‘Turs is found in many parts of Europe, where the larger or green kind is not to be discovered. It is generally of the length of about six or eight inches, and is of a pale greyish or greenish brown colour, with a pair of dusky or deep brown dorsal or lateral stripes, speckled with small whitish spots, and accompanied by a few yellowish variegations: the under parts are of a very pale blueish or whit- ish green, and sometimes yellowish. This variety is found in our own country, and is occasionally seen basking, during the hotter part of the sum- mer, about the roots of trees, old walls, &c. &c. in pursuit of insects, and generally escaping with great readiness, if pursued. This, as well as the former kind, has sometimes been used as a medi- cine, and has been supposed to possess peculiar virtues in leprous and some other cases. Ph 73 sare NS FASS ie V SS t a ‘ X ae wy 1801 Tanti London Pit 235 VARIEGATED LIZARD. Lacerta Teguixin. i. variegata, cauda tereti longa, lateribus subrugosis, collo subtus plica triplici. Variegated Lizard, with long round tail, somewhat santied sides, and a triple plait under the throat. Lacerta Teguixin. L. cauda tereti longa, sutura laterali plicata. Tan. Syst. Nat. p. 368. - Lacerta Tecuizin seu Tejuguacu. Seb. 1. p. 96. f Ly 25d Lacerta Tejuguacu. Seb. 1. t. 99.f. 1, 2 ne anced. Mer. Surin. t. 70. “Turs, which is by far the largest i in this division og the genus, sometimes exceeds the Guana in size. It has been extremely well represented in some of the plates of Seba, as well as by the cele- brated Madam Merian, who has given a figure of it at the end of her splendid work on the insects of Surinam. 7 : The head is covered, as in the Green Lizard, with large scales or plates; the body with small and somewhat square scales, which are so dis- posed as to mark the sides into numerous tapering annuli or striz, passing from the back perpendi- cularly downwards, and from the sides perpen- dicularly upwards, the narrow end of each row alternating with the broader end of the opposite one; and in the younger specimens a kind of plaited appearance, or continued lateral wrinkle appears to pass along each side of the animal: the tail, which is very long, is surrounded by extremely numerous rings of small square scales, and tapers toa slender point. The colour, in the O 236 RED-HEADED LIZARD. larger specimens, is highly beautiful, consisting of an elegant, and, in general, somewhat minute variegation of brown, blackish, and purple spots, on a pale blueish-white, and, in some parts, yel- lowish ground. ‘The whole form of the animal is rather thick or plump, in comparison with many other lizards: the tongue is broad, flat, long, forked at the tip, and curiously striated on each side: the head shaped like that of the Ameiva, to which this species is nearly allied. es isa native of South America. © | | ie RED-HEADED LIZARD. » Lacerta Erythrocephala. -L. atrovirens 1s fasciis transversis nigris, abdomine longitudinaliter albo nig ro & caruleo sorgatg, aie nigro, vertice rubro. 3 Blackish-green Lizard, with transverse Black Gnd. (acon. abe domen longitudinally banded with black, white, and blue, the breast black, and the top of the head red. La Tete-Rouge,. Cepede ovip. 2. p. 493. A MIDDLE-SIZED species; native of the island of St. Christopher; described by the Count de. Cepede. Colour deep or dark green above, mixed with brown: back marked by several transverse black undulations: top of the head, and part of the sides of the neck, red: throat white; breast black : belly variegated with longitudinal black, blue, and whitish bands, and covered with square scales or plates: head covered with larger scales than the other parts: beneath the thighs a row of tubercles. 74 | VARIEGATED ILIZARD . var” ages." =S HAY F RMN h ( 802 Jans London Lubyjnd by 6 Mearsley Liet Street. ZARD . LI = = ei = Pa B S of Aine. a fiom bencath VICWC. aw wa" LY INT i, HOH} nal ns May HH iN N UAH ANN) x 4 th Hy Wi Le ith Wy Hie CNS a: R AY iM Ke \ by Cltearsley Lleet Street « Ss N : ay . S S iss) C9 ~ AMEIVA LIZARD. Lacerta cerulea, albo nigroque variata, cauda as verticillata, -_scutis abdominis triginta. Blue Lizard with black and white Pesation:, long verticil- lated tail, and thirty abdominal scuta. Lacerta Ameiva. LL. cauda verticillata longa, scutis abdominis triginti, collari subtus ruga duplici. Lin, Syst. Nat. p. 362. Great spotted Lizard. Edw. pl. 203. Ameiva, Seb. 1. ¢, 88. f. 1, 2. Tue Ameiva is much allied to the Green Lizard in its general appearance, but is not furnished with the remarkable scaly collar by which that species is distinguished; having only a double transverse crease or plait on the same part: the head is also somewhat longer, and the snout more taper in proportion : the scales with which the up- per parts of the animal are covered are extremely small, so as to be not very distinctly visible: those of the abdomen consist of square plates, as in the green lizard ; and beneath each thigh is a range of eae elds. In colour the Ameiva varies Soe aer- ably, but is commonly blue or blueish-green above, with somewhat irregular variegations of black and white, which are sometimes disposed in streaks, and sometimes in spots, or patches; and com- monly in such a manner as to leave several whit- ish or pale-blue round spots scattered on different parts of the body and limbs: the under parts are dusky, with more or less of a blueish cast, and often marked here and there with small whitish spots. 238 | STRIPED LIZARD. The Ameiva is principally found in South Ame- rica, but it is also said to occur in some parts of Asia and Africa. STRIPED LIZARD. Lacerta Lemniscata. lL, cauda terett longa, dorso lineis octo albidis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 369. | Dusky-blue Lizard, with eight white lines down the back, long round tail, and limbs spotted with white. Lacerta Brasiliensis Taraguira. Seb. 2. t. 91. f. 3. _ Lacerta Brasiliensis Tecunhana. Seb. 2. t. 91. f. 4. So closely allied is this to the Ameiva, that, without a careful inspection, it might be mistaken. for the same species: its general size, however, is rather smaller: its colour is a dusky blue, marked above by eight longitudinal white lines or stripes, running from the head to the beginning of the tail: the sides, beneath the stripes, and the outsides of the thighs, are marked with small white spots : beneath the thighs is a range of tubercles, but there is no appearance of a crease or transverse fold under the throat: the white stripes on the back vary in breadth, and even sometimes in number, in different individuals. It is a native of Africa, and is principally found in Guinea; but is also said to be met with in some parts of. India, and even in South America. 239, ‘FOUR-STRIPED LIZARD. Lacerta Quadrilineata. LL. cauda tereti longa, pedibus subungui- culatis, palmis tetradactylis, corpore lineis quatuor flavis. Lan. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1076. Blackish-blue Lizard, with tetradactyle fore-feet, long rounded tail, and four white or yellowish lines down the back. CrLosE Ly allied to the Lemniscata, but a much smaller species: colour blackish blue, with four white or yellowish bands down the back: fore feet tetradactyle; hind feet pentadactyle: claws very small: tail long and taper. Described by Linnezus in the Museum Adolphi Friderici. Sup- posed to be a native of North America. RIBBON LIZARD. - Lacerta Teniolata. L. cauda tereti longa, corpore supra taniolis , .albis nigrisque, subtus albo. | Lizard with long round tail, and body marked above with black and white stripes ; beneath white. Ribbon Lizard. White's Journ. of Voy. to N.S. Wales, p. 245. Po vdeo S | A SMALL species, much allied to Fasciata and others of this division: covered entirely with smooth, rounded, imbricated scales on all parts: colour chesnut brown above; pale or whitish be- neath: on the back from the head to the middle of the tail six narrow white linear stripes, the inter- mediate spaces of the central and lowermost stripes 240 SIX-LINED LIZARD. being black: tail long and slender: limbs striped longitudinally with black: feet slender; five-toed: native of New Holland. SIX-LINED LIZARD. Lacerta Sexlineata. LL. cauda verticillata longa, dorso lineis sex albis. Lin, Syst. Nat. p. 364. Grey-brown Lizard, with long verticillated tail, and six white lines down the back. The Lion-Lizard. Catesb. Car. 2. t. 68. A sMALL species, allied to the Ameiva: colour grey, with six longitudinal lines or whitish stripes down the upper parts: beneath the throat a double crease, and beneath the thighs a row of tubercles: legs long; feet slender: tail commonly carried in an elevated manner, curving over the back, for which reason it is called the Lion-Lizard: runs very swiftly, and chiefly frequents the rocks about the sea-coasts of Cuba and Hispaniola, where it is preyed on by Gulls, &c. 241 FASCIATED LIZARD. Lacerta Fasciata. L. cauda tereti longiuscula, caerulea, dorso lineis quinque flavescentibus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 369. Brown Lizard, with longish blue tail, and five elses) lines down the back. The Blue-tail Lizard. Catesd. 2. t. 67. A sMALL species, seldom exceeding eight inches in length: head short; tail blue; rest of the body brown, with five equidistant yellow lines running from the nose to the tail: native of Carolina and Virginia, where it frequents hollow trees, &c. and is often seen on the ground. ; FIVE-LINED LIZARD. Lacerta Quinquelineata. LL. cauda terett mediocri, dorso lineis quinque albidis. Dusky Lizard, with tail of middling length, and five whitish. lines down the back. A SMALL species: colour deep brown or black- ish, with five whitish dorsal stripes, continued half way down the tail: on the head six stripes: tail twice the length of the body: abdomen iunbri- cated with strie: native of Carolina: described by Dr. Garden. Wo iT. P. I. 16 ade PUNCTATED LIZARD. ~ Lacerta Interpunctata. LL. cauda tereti longa, dorso linets dua- bus flavis, punctis nigris interspersis. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1075. Mus. Ad. Frid. p, 46. Lizard with long round tail, and two yellow dorsal lines, with black specks interspersed. Lacerta Africana. Seb. 2.¢, 12. f. 6. A SMALL species: native of Asia: head covered with large scales: body smooth and glossy, with two obscure yellowish lines distinguishing the back from the sides: down the dorsal area run six rows of black specks or points, and down each side a similar number: feet and tail also spotted in a similar manner. RED-THROAT LIZARD. Lacerta Bullaris. L. viridis, cauda tereti longa, vesica gulari rubra. Green Lizard, with long round tail and red gular vesicle. Lacerta Bullaris. L. cauda tereti longa, vesica gulari. Lin. _ Syst. Nat. p. 368. Green Lizard of Jamaica. Catesb. Car. 2. t. 66. Tuis, according to Catesby, is usually six inches long, and of a shining grass-green colour. It is common in Jamaica, frequenting hedges and trees, but is not seen in houses: when approached it swells its throat into a globular form, the pro- truded skin on that part appearing of a bright red colour, which disappears in its withdrawn or RED-THROAT LIZARD. 943 contracted state: this action is supposed to be a kind of menace, in order to deter its enemy; but it is incapable of doing any mischief by its bite or otherwise. VAR? Green Carolina Lizard. Catesb. 2. pl. 65. Tuts, which appears to resemble the former in every particular, except in the extensile gular skin, is said by Catesby to be very common in Carolina, frequenting houses, and becoming in a degree familiar, so as to sport about the ta- bles and windows, catching flies with great dex- terity, appearing chiefly in summer, and on the approach of cold weather retreating to its winter quarters, lying torpid in the hollows of trees, &c. It is sometimes tempted to leave its retreat pre- maturely, and, on a change of weather, becomes so enfeebled by the cold as to perish before it regain its habitation. Its colour is observed to change very considerably, appearing of a bright green in dry hot weather, and changing to brown in cold weather: the structure of the feet in these lizards is similar to that of the LZ. Principalis, the toes being slender and somewhat dilated to- wards the tips. The red expansile gular pouch is perhaps peculiar to the male. 244, RED-TAIL LIZARD. Lacerta Cruenta. L. cauda verticillata supra cinerea subtus coc- cinea apice albicante, colli subtus plica transversa. Lin, Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1072. Pail. it. 1. p. 456. Brown Lizard, with seven cervical and four dorsal white stripes, a crease under the throat, and verticillated tail red beneath. Aw extremely small species, allied to the Z. velox, but with a sharper snout: body brown above, with seven white stripes on the neck, four of which are continued as far as the tail: limbs spotted with round white spots; body white beneath, tail red beneath, and white at the tip: a row of tuber- cles on the thighs: native of the south of Siberia, inhabiting the country about the salt lakes. LOBE-CHEEKED LIZARD. Lacerta Lobata. LL. collo utrinque lobo semiorbiculato denticulato. Brownish Lizard, with a semiorbicular denticulated lobe on each side the neck. Lacerta aurita. L. cauda tereti mediocri utrinque ad latus callosis punctis aspera, plica gule transversa subgemella, oris angulis utringue in cristam semiorbiculatam mollem scabram dentatam di- latatis. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel, p.1073. Pall. it. 3. p. 702. t. Miaifi i: Tuis is a middle-sized species, of a somewhat thick or ventricose habit; with the body rather depressed, and the head rounded or blunt in front: from the corners of the mouth on each side is SUN-GAZING LIZARD. 945 horizontally extended a flat, semiorbicular skin or wattle, of a red colour, with serrated edges, and reaching as far as the shoulders: the remainder of the animal is clouded with yellowish and cinere- ous: tail rather short than long, and roughened above, as is the whole body, with small, pointed eranules: toes five, of which the three mterme- diate ones are serrated on the edges. ‘This species appears to be in some degree allied to the Geckos; it is a native of the southerns desert of Siberia, frequenting sandy hills, and was first described by Dr. Pallas. SUN-GAZING LIZARD. Lacerta Helioscopa. LL. cauda wnbricata basi crassa apice acuta, collo subtus plica transversa, capite callis aspere. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel.p. 1074. Pall. tt. 1. p. 457. Brownish Lizard, with imbricated tail, thick at the base and sharp at the tip, a transverse crease beneath the throat, and the head rough with calli. Tuts also appears to be in some degree allied to the Geckos, being of a short, thickish form and muricated on the upper parts with small tubercles: the head is blunt or rounded in front; and the ~neck marked by a kind of stricture: tail mode- rately short, and terminating acutely: colour of the upper parts grey, with brown and _ blueish spots and linear streaks: neck often marked above by a red spot: under parts pale or whitish, and covered with smooth, pointed scales: tip of tail 246 TURKISH LIZARD. red beneath. This species is said by Dr. Pallas to be very common in the southern deserts of Si- beria, where it delights to sit in hot sunny situ- ations, with its head turned up towards the sun. It is a small species, measuring not more than a finger’s length, and is extremely nimble in its motions. TURKISH LIZARD. Lacerta Turcica. LL. cauda subverticillata mediocri, corpore griseo subverrucoso. Lin, Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1068. Brown roughish Lizard, with subverticillated tail of middling length. | } Small spotted grey Lizard. Edw. pl. 204. f, 2. A SMALL species, first described by Edwards: ‘native of the eastern regions: head rather large: body thickish: tail rather short, thickish at the base, and pointed at the tip: whole animal rough- ened on the upper surface with small granules or tubercles: colour dull brown, somewhat paler on the under parts: appears to be somewhat allied to the Geckos in general habit. Q47 BROAD-TAILED LIZARD. Lacerta Platura. L. griseo-fusca scabra, subtus pallida, cauda _depresso-plana lanceolata, margine subaculeata. Grey-brown rough Lizard, paler beneath, with depressed lan- _ ceolate tail almost spiny on the margin. Lacerta Platura. Broad-tailed Lizard. White's Journ. of Voy. to New South Wales, p. 245. pl. 32. Nat. Misc. vol. 2. pl. 65. Tuis remarkable species is a native of New Holland, and is strikingly distinguished by the peculiar form of its tail, which is flat or depressed, _-and gradually widens from the base to a greater diameter than the body of the animal, and again - gradually tapers to a sharp attenuated extremity : it is muricated, as is every other part of the upper surface of the animal, by small tubercles, which on the edges of the tail are lengthened into sharpened points: the head is large, somewhat flattened, broad at the back part, and tapers at the snout: the neck is nearly of the diameter of the body, which somewhat exceeds the tail in length: the limbs are of moderate length and rather slen- der than strong: the feet all pentadactyle, with ‘slender toes, armed by curved claws. The colour of the whole animal on the upper parts, is a dusky brownish grey; beneath paler and smooth. The general length of this species seems to be from four to six inches or rather more. In habit, ex- cept in the feet, it is allied to the Gecko tribe. 248 PLICA LIZARD. Lacerta Plica. LL. cauda tereti longa, occipite calloso, palpebris supra excoriates, collo lateribus verrucoso, subtus plicato. Lan. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1074. Lizard with round long tail, hind-head callous, eyebrows ex- coriated above, neck warted at the sides, and plaited be- neath. A SMALL species, native of India and South America: length of a finger; covered on all parts © with conical scales: on each side the neck two muricated tubercles: beneath the throat a double crease: down the back a row of larger scales than the rest, and somewhat crenated: tail about twice the length of the body, covered with minute scales, and scarce distinctly verticillated:. toes long, roughened beneath by sharper scales: claws ‘compressed. ¢ JAPANESE LIZARD. Lacerta Japonica. L. cauda terete longa, pedibus unguiculatis, palmis tetradactylis, dorso vittato. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p.- 1076. Houttuyn. Act. Uliss. 9. p. 329. Lizard with long round tail, unguiculated feet, tetradactyle fore-feet, and single-striped back. | A SMALLISH species: native of Japan: colour livid brown above, with a broad dentated yellow — stripe from the hind head to the beginning of the tail: eyes small; eyelids large and rough: tail somewhat compressed at the tip: claws black. 249 NILOTIC LIZARD. - Lacerta Nilotica. . cauda longa extimo triquetra, corpore gla- - bro, dorso squamarum lineis quatuor. Lin, Syst. Nat. Gmel. 1075. Slasselqu. it. p. 311. Lizard with long triquetrous tail, smooth body, and four lines of scales down the back. SMALL; native of Egypt: observed by Hassel- f 5 | h quist. TILIGUERTA LIZARD. Lacerta Tiliguerta. lL. cauda verticillata corpore duplo longiore, scutis abdominis octoginta. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1070. Cetti. Anfib. di Sard. p. 15. ' Lizard with verticillated tail of twice the length of the body, and eighty abdominal scuta. Tuis, which is a small species, measuring be- tween seven and eight inches in length, is allied to the green lizard, and is a native of the island of Sardinia, where it is said to be found in fields, about walls, &c.: the male is green, spotted with black ; the female brown. t cr SC BESERT LIZARD. Lacerta Deserti. L. cauda tereti longiuscula, pedibus pentadac- tylis, corpore supra nigro, lineis sex albis longitudinalibus. Lin. © Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1076. i Lizard with longish round tail, pentadactyle feet, and body black above, with six longitudinal white lines. — A very small species: body white beneath: the stripes of the back consist of oblong spots, and between the exterior stripe and the next are five white specks: native of the Ural desert. ARGUTE LIZARD. _ Lacerta Arguta. L. cauda verticillata brevi, bast crassiuscula, apice filiformi, collart squamis obsoletis plicaque sub collo duplica insigni. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1072. Pall. it. 1. p. 456. Lizard with short verticillated tail, thickish at the base and filiform at the tip, with a collar of obscurely-marked scales, _ and a remarkable double crease under the neck, _ ~ Native of the South of Siberia: described by Dr. Pallas: allied to the green lizard, but of a shorter or more ventricose form, with a sharper snout, and less numerous as well as less distinct subfemoral tubercles: colour glaucous above, with several subconfluent transverse black bands, most distinct at the base of the tail, where they are marked by ocellated spots of the ground-cq- lour of the back: under parts white. 951 ALGERINE LIZARD. Lacerta Algira. LL. cauda werticillata longiuscula, corpore lineis utringue duabus flavis, Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1073. Lizard with longish verticillated tail, and two yellow lines on each side the body. _ A SMALL species, of about a finger’s length: above brown, beneath yellowish: back covered with carinated scales, and bounded on each side by a yellow line, separating the abdomen from the upper parts. Native of Algiers. SWIFT LIZARD. _ Lacerta Velox. JL. cauda verticillata longiuscula, collari subtus squamis constructo, corpore supra cinereo, strigis quinque longt- tudinalibus dilutioribus punctisque fuscts vario, ad latera nigro maculato & ccrulescente punctato. Lin, Syst. Nat. Gmel. Dp. 1Ofe Pall tt" 1. 9 457 Lizard with longish verticillated tail, a scaly collar beneath the neck ; cinereous body, with five longitudinal paler bands, variegated with black specks; the sides spotted with black, and speckled with blue. Mucu allied to the Z. agilis, but much smaller, and more slender: hind feet marked with orbi- cular spots: native of Siberia, wandering about in sunny situations among stones, &c. when dis- turbed, moves off with extreme celerity. 252 ~ URAL LIZARD. Lacerta Uralensis. L. cauda tereti longiuscula, collo subtus plicato, pedibus omnibus pentadactylis, dorso ex cinereo livido, rugoso & subverrucoso. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1073. Lepechin. Bl wooly. t. 227 1. Lizard with longish round tail, neck plaited beneath, all the feet pentadactyle, and back livid, rugose, and subverrucose. Native of the desert of Ural: length about four inches: head roundish: colour of the upper parts livid brown, and covered with a wrinkled and slightly tuberculated skin: under parts whitish: moves with great swiftness. SEPS LIZARD. | - Lacerta Seps. LL. cauda verticillata longiore, sutura laterali re- flexa, squamis quadratis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 363. Blueish-brown Lizard, with longish verticillated tail, refiexed lateral suture, and square scales. Tue Seps is rather a small species, and is easily distinguished by the thin and lengthened form of © its body, long, slender tail, small, short limbs, slender toes, and particularly by the square scales with which it is entirely covered both above and below, and which are so disposed as to mark the animal into a great number of longitudinal and transverse divisions: the abdomen is divided as it were from the sides, by a very strongly-marked suture, continued from the head to the base of the Aue, a 4 M OM LEON fy a ae NY eeda "aocot ; AN COMMON CH mie Ll bv Glearslev Fleet Street . G 1801 Jans London Publik COMMON CHAMZLEON. 953 tail; the sides rising up a little beyond the fur- row: beneath the thighs is a row of papille: all the feet are furnished with five slender toes, and the tail is marked into about fifty verticilli or divisions. ‘This lizard is a native of the southern parts of Europe, and though remotely different as a species, seems by some authors to have been confounded with the Lacerta Chalcides, the name Seps having been applied occasionally to both ani- mals. In the British and Leverian Museums are specimens agreeing in every particular with the Linnean description of the species. Its colour is a livid brown above, paler or more inclining to whiteness beneath. Chameleons, with granulated skin, missile : ) tongue, &c. - COMMON CHAMZLEON. Lacerta Chameleon. L. cinerea, pileo plano, cauda tereti incurva, digitis duobis tribusque coadunatis. | Grey Chameleon, with flat crown, cylindric incurved tail, and toes conjoined by two and three. L. Chameleon. LL. cauda tereti brevi incurva, digitis duobus tra- busque coadunatis, Lan. Syst. Nat, p. 364. L. cinerea, pileo plano. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1069. Chameleon. Aldr. Quad. Ovip. p. 670. Jonst. Quadr. t. 79. The Chameleon. Museum Levertanum, 1. p. 194. L. Chameleon. Chameleon. Millar, Cim. Phys. p. 22. ¢. 11. _ Frew animals have been more celebrated by na- tural historians than the Chameleon, which has 254 COMMON CHAMZLEON. been sometimes said to possess the power of chang- ing its colour at pleasure, and of assimilating it to that of any particular object or situation. This, however, must be received with very great limi- tations; the change of colour which the animal exhibits varying in degree, according to circum- stances of health, temperature of the weather, and many other causes, and consisting chiefly in a sort of alteration of shades from the natural green- ish or blueish grey of the skin into pale yellowish, with irregular spots or patches of dull red; but not justifying the application of the Onion distich. ‘geet “ Non mihi tot cultus numero comprendere fas est : Adjicit ornatus proxima queeque dies.” No numbers can the varying robe express, While each new day presents a different dress. It is also to be observed, that the natural or usual colour of Chameleons varies very consider- ably ; some being much darker than others, and it has even been seen approaching to a blackish tinge. An occasional change of colour is likewise diservalile though in a less striking degree, in some other Lizards. The general length of the Chameleon, ae the tip of the nose to the beginning of the tail, is about ten inches, and the tail is ae nearly similar length, but the animal is found of various sizes, and sometimes exceeds the length above men- tioned. It isa creature of a harmless nature, and supports itself by feeding on. insects; for which COMMON CHAMALEON. 955 purpose the structure of the tongue is finely adapted, consisting of a long, missile body, fur- nished with a dilated and somewhat tubular tip, by means of which the animal seizes insects with great ease, darting out its tongue in the manner of a Woodpecker, and retracting it instantane- ously with the prey secured in its tip. It can also support a long abstinence, and hence arose the popular idea of the Chameleon being nou- rished by air alone. It is found in many parts of the world, and particularly in India and Africa. It is also sometimes seen in the warmer parts of Spain and Portugal. : The Chameleon, by the power which it possesses in common with most other Amphibia, of inflat- ing its lungs and retaining the air for a great length of time, appears occasionally of a plump or fleshy aspect, while at other times, on evacuat- ing the air from its lungs and keeping them in a collapsed state, it appears in the utmost degree of extenuation as if consisting of little more than a mere skin, the ribs being completely visible on each side the body. The skin on every part of the animal is of a granulated structure, the gra- nules differing in size on different parts, from that of a small pin’s head to the diameter of the tenth of an inch, or even more, especially on the edges of the projecting parts of the head and jaws. Down the back runs a series of obscure denticula- tions or slight projections, forming a carina on that part. . The feet consist each of five toes, three and two. of which on each foot are connate, or 256 COMMON CHAMALEON. united as far as the claws by a common skin: on’ the fore feet the two outward and three inward toes are united; and in the hind feet the two inward and three outward. The motions of the Chameleon are extremely slow, and in sitting on a branch, or in passing from one to another, it fastens itself by coiling its tail round that from which it means to pass, til it has perfectly secured the other with its feet. i The general or usual changes of clot in the Ghd: bon: so far as I have been able to ascertain from my own observation of such as have been brought into this country in a living state, are from a blueish ash-colour (its natural tinge) to a green and sometimes yellowish colour, spotted unequally with red. If the animal be exposed to a full sun- shine, the unilluminated side generally appears, within the space of some minutes, of a pale yellow, with large roundish patches or spots of red-brown. On reversing the situation of the animal the same change takes place in an opposite direction; the side which was before in the shade now becoming -either brown or ash-colour, while the other side becomes yellow and red; but these changes are subject to much variety both as to intensity of colours and disposition of spots. The following is the description given by the anatomists of the French Academy : ‘¢ The colour of all the eminences of our Cha- meleon when it was at rest, in the shade, and had continued a long time undisturbed, was a blueish grey, except under the feet, where it was white COMMON CHAMALEON. ' OS) inclining to yellow, and the intervals of the gra- nules of the skin were of a pale and yellowish red. This grey, which coloured all the parts exposed to the light, changed when in the sun; and all the places of its body which were illuminated, instead of their blueish colour, became of a brownish grey, inclining to a minime. The rest of the skin, which was not illuminated by the sun, changed its grey into several brisk and shining colours, forming spots about half a finger’s Baeaah reaching from the crest of the spine to the middle of the back : ‘others appeared on the ribs, fore legs, and tail. All these spots were of an Isabella colour, through the mixture of a pale yellow with which the gra- nules were tinged, and of a bright red, which is the colour of the bottom of the skin which is visible between the granules: the rest of the skin not enlightened by the sun, and which was of a paler grey than oidinary, resembled a cloth made of mixed wool; some of the granules being green- ish, others of a minime-grey, and eee of the usual blueish grey, the ground remaining as be- fore. When the sun didi not shine, the first grey appeared again by little and little, and spread itself all over the body, except under the feet, which continued of the same colour, but a little browner ; and when, being in this state, some of the company handled it, there immediately appeared on its shoulders and fore legs several very black- ish spots about the size of a finger nail, and which did not take place when it was handled by those who usually took care of it. Sometimes it was Ne Un. BL. 17 958: COMMON CHAMZA LEON. marked with brown spots, which inclined towards green. We afterwards wrapped it up in a linen cloth, where having been two or three minutes, we took it out whitish; but not so white as that of which Aldrovandus speaks, which was not to be distinguished from the linen on which it was laid. Ours, which had only changed its ordinary grey into a very pale one, after having kept this colour some time, lost it insensibly. This experiment made us question the truth of the Chameleon’s taking all colours but white; as Theophrastus and Plutarch report ; for ours seemed to have sucha disposition to retain this colour, that it grew pale every night; and when dead, it had more white than any other colour: nor did we find that it changed colour all over the body, as Aristotle re- ports; for when it takes other colours than grey, and disguises itself, to appear in masquerade, as AKlian pleasantly says, it covers only certain parts. of the body with them. Lastly, to conclude the experiments relative to the colours which the Cha- meleon can take, it was laid on substances of various colours, and wrapped up therein ; but it took not them as it had done the white; and it took that only the first time the experiment was made, though it was repeated several times on different days.” ‘In making these experiments we ohh ved that there were a great many places of its skin which grew brown, but very little at a time: to be cer- tain of which we marked with small specks of ink those granules which to us appeared whitest in its COMMON CHAMZLEON. 259 pale state; and we always found that when it grew brownest, and its skin spotted, those grains which we had marked, were always less brown than the rest.” The anatomy of the Chameleon has been well detailed by the above-mentioned Academicians. The principal abridged particulars are as follow: The Mouth is wide and the bones of the jaws denticulated, so as to represent small teeth. The Tongue is of a very extraordinary form ; being composed of a white solid flesh, about ten lines long, and three broad, round, a little flattish towards the end, hollow, and open, somewhat like the end of an elephant’s proboscis. This tongue is fastened to the os hyoides by means of a sort of trunk, shaped like an intestine, six inches long, and a line broad, having a membrane without, and a nervous substance within, which is solid and com- pact, though soft, and not easily divisible into fibres: this trunk serves to cast out the tongue, which is fastened to it, by extending it, and to draw it back by contracting it, which motion it is enabled to perform by a kind of cartilaginous stylus to which its investing membrane is attached, and over which it is plaited like a silk stocking on the leg: this stylus is an inch long, and takes its origin from the middle of the base of the os hyoides, as in the tongue of several birds: a num- ber of blood-vessels are distributed on the tongue, The form, structure, and motion of the Hyes is very peculiar: they are very large, viz. above five lines in diameter ; appearing spherical, projecting’ 260 COMMON CHAMZ LEON. in the living animal full half of their diameter : they are covered with one single eyelid or skin, pierced in the middle with a small hole of not more than a line in diameter, through which the pupil appears, surrounded by a gold-coloured iris: the éyelid, or investing skin, is granulated like the rest of the animal: the fore part of the eye is fast- ened to the lid, so that the lid follows all the mo- tions of the eye: sometimes one of the eyes will move while the other is at rest, or turn forwards while the other is directed backwards, or upwards, while the other is turned downwards: by extend- ing the skin of the orifice crossways the Chame- leon can close its eyes, the hole then becoming a longitudinal rima or slit: the optic nerves are eight lines in length: the cornea is small; the sclerotica hard and thick; but the hinder part very thin: the choroides black under the iris, and blueish at the bottom: the retina very thick, and reddish: the humors all aqueous, the chrystalline itself scarce distinct from the rest. The Brain is extremely small, scarce more than a line in diameter, and not twice the thickness of the spinal marrow, which is very white, the brain itself being grey. The Heart is very small, not exceeding three lines in length; its point appearing truncated or as if cut off: the auricles very large, especially the left, and somewhat redder than the heart. The Lungs very large when inflated; and di- vided into several processes or saccular subdivi- sions ; but when collapsed they appear small. COMMON CHAMELEON... 261 The Stomach long and narrow; the intestines large. | The Liver of a pretty firm substance, and of a dark red colour. | In the stomach (as may be supposed) were the remains of insects. — This Chameleon, during the time it lived, occa- sionally evacuated from its intestines certain small stony concretions of about the size of a pea, of an apparently calcareous substance, and readily dissolving in vinegar: one of them was found to contain in its middle the head of a fly; so that they must necessarily have been formed in the stomach or intestines of the animal*, The spine of the Chameleon, comprehending the tail, consists of seventy-four vertebrae, and the ribs are eighteen on each side. The popular error of the Chameleon living on air alone, must have originated from the long ab- stinence which the animal can occasionally sup- port; instances having occurred of its passing several months without any apparent nourish- ment. Sir Thomas Erowne, in a long and learned chapter on this subject in his Vulgar Errors, ex- presses himself in the following terms : © All which considered, severer heads will be apt enough to conceive the vulgar opinion of this animal, to be not much unlike that of the Aséomi, * A kind of Bezoar is occasionally found in the stomach of the common Guana; instances of which may be found in the work of Seba. , 262 AFRICAN CHAMELEON. or Men without mouths, in Pliny; suitable unto the relation of the Mares in Spain, and their sub- ventaneous conceptions from the western wind ; and in some way more unreasonable than the _ figment of Rabican, the famous horse in Ariosto, which being conceived by flame and wind, never tasted grass, or fed on any grosser provender than air; for this way of nutrition was answerable unto the principles of his generation ; which being not airy but gross and seminal in the Chameleon, unto its conservation there is required a solid pasture, and a food congenerous unto the principles of its nature.” ie Besides the Common Chameleon, different races appear to exist, which are principally distinguished by their colour, and the more or less elevated state of the angular or crested part of the head. These, which Linnzus was content to consider as varie- ties, are now raised to the dignity of species, and are thus distinguished in the Gmelinian edition of the Systema Nature. : AFRICAN CHAMELEON. Lacerta Africana. L. nigra pileo carinato. Lin. Syst. Nat, Gmel. p. 1069. i Blackish Chameleon, with carinated crown. Chamezleo ex Africa colore niyricante, at pectine albo supra dorsum decoratus. Seb. Mus. 1. p. 134. ¢. 83. f. 4. Turs, says Seba, came from the coasts of Bar- bary, and is one of the largest yet known: along LITTLE CHAMELEON. 263 the back, to the end of the tail, runs a pure white stripe, bounded by a broad blackish band : the rest of the animal is variegated with pale cinereous un- dulations. In the specific character, as given by Dr. Gmelin, the word nigricans should be substi- tuted for nigra, since the stripes alone on the top of the back are of a black colour, as is evident from the description and figure of Seba. LITTLE CHAMELEON. Lacerta Pumila. LL. corpore lateribus carulescente, lineis binis Jlavescentibus. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1069. Chameleon with the body blueish on each side, marked with two yellowish lines. Chamzleo promontorii Bone Spei, czruleo sate colore marmoris instar variegatus. Seb. Mus. 1. p. 135. t. 83. f. 5. Turs, according to Seba’s description and figure, has the head somewhat flatter than the for- mer, though still elevated towards the middle part: it is also edged on each side by a denticulated margin. The body is of a blueish colour, marbled or variegated with white. It may well be doubt- ed, however, whether either this or the former can properly be considered as in any other light than varieties of the common or first described species. 264 Geckos, with granulated or tuberculated skin, lobated feet, and toes lamellated beneath. COMMON GECKO. Lacerta Gecko. LL. hvida fusco variegata, corpore verrucoso, pe- dum lamellis indivisis. Livid Gecko, with brown variegations, body warted above, and the lamelle of the feet undivided. Lacerta Gecko. LL. cauda tereti mediocrt, digitis muticis subtus lamellatis, corpore verrucoso, auribus concavis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 365. | ai Salamandra vera seu Gekko Ceilonicus. Seb. 1. p. 170. &. 108. Tue Gecko, said to be so named from the sound of its voice, which resembles the above word uttered in a shrill tone, is a native of many parts of Asia and Africa, as well as of some of the warmer regions of Europe. It is one of the middle-sized Lizards, measuring, in general, about a foot in length, or rather more. It is of a thicker and stouter form than most other Lizards, having a large and somewhat triangular flattish head, co- vered with small scales, a wide mouth, large eyes, minute teeth, and a broad flat tongue. The limbs are of moderate length, and the feet are of a broader form than in the rest of the genus La- certa, each toe being dilated on the margins, and divided beneath into a great number of parallel transverse lamelle, without any longitudinal mark or furrow : all the toes, except the thumbs, are fur- nished with small claws: the tail, which is gene- rally longer than the body, is marked, more or less I J UOpUoTl CiUOle ZOgr L Z 7 49 PUL a DPIILMS PIN APESOIG A 1 UM Oy PERNA NAN PRR wi ) i) NAN i \ Ae ipso) ati Hi vey OR ARH : U ! \}y \? fe A .; X a Hh iw rm Mie ( { ( NS ) RYU OH Ky H i \ a TS fe pene, 7 ay OE = ¥ Awe’ : j oS ~ <= ASI = <———— 2 = jos SS aos = & ——s— = y al IN A ~ Fe) x } ») XL () oc Ae TOKAI. 265 distinctly, according to the age of the animal, into divisions or verticillated rings: the whole animal is covered on the upper parts with numerous, dis- tant, round warts or prominences, approaching more or less to an acute form in different indi- viduals, and sometimes obtuse: beneath each thigh is a row of perforated papilla, as in the Green Lizard and many others: the under parts of the body are covered with scales of somewhat dissimilar appear- ance, but all approaching to a round figure. . The Gecko inhabits obscure recesses, caverns, old walls, trees, &c. &c. and wanders about chiefly on the approach of rain. It is considered as of a poisonous nature, a highly acrimonious kind of fluid exsuding from the lamelle of the feet, which remaining on the surface of fruit or any other edible substance is often productive of trouble- some symptoms to those who happen to swallow it. From the peculiar structure of its feet, the Gecko can readily adhere to the smoothest sur- faces. The general colour of the animal is pale brown, with a few irregular dusky or blueish va- riegations, but in those which inhabit the warmer regions of the globe this colour seems to be ex- alted into a much more brilhant appearance. Var. ? TO RAT. Tuts kind is described by the Jesuit Mission- aries from Lewis the fourteenth to Siam. Its 266 TOKAI. length is about a foot: the body is covered above by a granulated skin, varied with red and blue undulations: the back is roughened by a great many longitudinal rows of pale blue conical protu- berances: the belly is cinereous, scattered over with red spots: the head large and triangular: the eyes very large: tongue flat: feet divided into lamelle beneath; by the help of which the animal adheres to the smoothest surfaces, as if agglutinated to them. It occasionally enters the houses of the Siamese; is considered by them as a poisonous animal, and is called by the title of Tokai. Bontius, in his history of Java, appears to de- scribe a similar kind, under the name of the Indian Salamander. It is called Gecco by the Javanese, | on account of its shrill cry. Its length is about a foot, and its colour sea-green, spotted with red: the head large and toad-like; the eyes large and extremely protuberant: the body broad, and the tail long. The Javanese are said to hold up the animal by the tail, in order to make it discharge its foam or sanies from its mouth, which they col- lect in order to poison their arrows with. 267 GECKOTTE. Lacerta Dubia. JL. livida supra aculeato-verrucosa, papillis fe- _ moralibus nullis. Livid Gecko, with pointed warts on its upper surface, and no femoral papillz. Le Geckotte. Cepede ovip. p. 420. Tuts is described by the Count de Cepede, who informs us that it is so nearly allied to the Gecko, that, without an attentive survey, it might be easily confounded with it: it is distinguished, however, by its somewhat thicker or shorter form, both in body, limbs, and tail, as well as by the defect of subfemoral papillae: the upper parts are tuberculated, as in the former species, the tuber- cles appearing most pointed about the neck, sides, and tail, which latter, in the young animal, is divided into strongly-marked aculeated verticilli, owing to the scales with which it is at that time covered ; but, as the animal advances in age, the verticilli become gradually less conspicuous, and are at length entirely obliterated, so that the part appears smooth, as well as much shorter than in its younger state. This species is found in the south of Fiinniee where it is called Zarente : it inhabits ruins, walls, houses, &c. delighting much in sunshine, and being never found in damp shady situations. In winter it lies concealed in the hollows of walls, beneath tiles, &c. where it remains in an inert, but not a torpid state. It is regarded as innocent, 268 PERFOLIATED GECKO. and has no particular voice or cry. The Count de Cepede appears to suppose it the L. Mauritanica of Linneus, but Mr. Schneider assures us, that this is a mistake. PERFOLIATED GECKO. ’ Lacerta Perfoliata. L. subfusca supra leviuscula, lamellis pedum sulco drvisis, cauda (sepius) subturbinata. Brownish Gecko, nearly smooth above, with the lamellz of the feet divided by a furrow, and tail (frequently) turbinated. — _ Stellio perfoliatus. Schneid. Amph, Phys. Spec. Alt. p. 26. Tuts species also is so extremely nearly allied to the common Gecko, that it might pass for the same animal, except that it is of a somewhat thicker form, with shorter limbs, and is less dis- tinctly marked by tubercles on the back, which is rather covered by small conical scales or granules: it is also destitute of subfemoral papillae: the la- _melle of the feet are divided by a midrib, or lon- gitudinal furrow, and the claws are sheathed or retractile : the tail is of srmilar form to that of the common Gecko, but appears to be liable to a sin- gular variation, in which it is remarkably swelled immediately beyond its origin, and gradually tapers again to the extremity, so as to resemble the form of a young turnep root; being shorter than the body itself: this variation, if such it be, has been considered by some authors as a dis- tinctive character, and the animal has been ac- cordingly named Lacerta rapicauda, under which MAURITANIC GECKO. 269 title it stands in the Gmelinian edition of the Systema Nature. A specimen of similar character is preserved in the British Museum, as well as in the Leverian, and from the general tenor of the descriptions given by authors, it appears to be more frequently seen in this state than in what Mr. Schneider considers as its truly natural one. Mr. S. names it the Perfoliated Gecko, from the appearance of the under surface of the feet, the Jamelle of which, being traversed by a longitu- dinal midrib, represent in some degree the struc- ture of the leaves in a perfoliate plant. The colour of this species is cinereous, clouded or marbled with brown variegatious. Upen the whole, I cannot help suspecting, that this is, in reality, the same animal with the preceding, or Geckotte. MAURITANIC GECKO. Lacerta Mauritanica. JL. tota supra mucronato-verrucosa, cauda planiuscula subtus scutis tecta, pedum lamellis dicvisis lunulatis, Brown Gecko, entirely covered above with sharp warts, with the tail nearly flat and furnished with scuta beneath, and wit h the lamella of the feet lunulated and divided. Stellio Mauritanicus. Schneid. Phys. Amph, Sp. Alt. p. 24. Salamandra Ceilonica, Seb. 1. p. 170. t. 108. f. 4, 5, 6, 7.? Lacerta Mauritanica. L. cauda subverticillata brevi muricata apice levi, corpore supra muricato, digitis subtus lamellatis mu- ticis, Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 361. Tue Mauritanic Gecko is of similar aspect to the first or common species, but is covered with 970 CHINESE GECKO. spiny or sharp-pointed warts on its upper surface: the tail also is distinctly verticillated by rows of spiny processes: the toes are lamellated beneath, but not divided by a middle sulcus, and are fur- nished with small claws: beneath the thighs is a short row of papille: the tail is flattish beneath, and covered with broad transverse scales, and the principal or most strongly-marked joints or ver- ticilli are the six superior ones. Mr. Schneider, who seems to be never weary of censuring the Count de Cepede, complains that that gentleman has erred in comparing this with a very different species, and that he never could have seen the animal. CHINESE GECKO. Lacerta Sinensis. L. cauda ancipite, digitis omnibus unguiculatis, facie foraminibus pluribus pertusa. Schneid. Amph, Phys. Sp. rit Dp. OR g Gecko with flat tail, all the toes unguiculated, and the face perforated by several pores. ; Tuis was first described by Osbeck, who ob- served it in China, where it is frequently seen in houses, running about the walls, and climbing with extreme readiness on the smoothest surfaces, preying chiefly on the smaller kind of Blatte. The head is broad and fiat; the teeth small; the tongue flat and emarginated at the tip: the body flat, broad, and compressed at the sides : the back beset with black and whitish tubercles: the tail a WHITE-STRIPED GECKO. 971 rather longer than the body, and flat or ancipital*: the toes lamellated beneath, and all furnished with claws: the colour of the upper parts is cinereous ; the abdomen white; and the tail variegated by ten or eleven blackish clouds or bars: about the _ sides of the nose and eyes are several scattered pores. ‘This species is considered as perfectly in- noxious. It appears to be omitted in the Gme- linian edition of the Systema Nature. — WHITE-STRIPED GECKO. Lacerta Vittata. L. fusco-flacescens, fascia dorsal alba super caput furcata, Yellowish-brown Gecko, with a white dorsal band forked over the head. L. vittata. LL. cauda terett longa, dorsi vitta alba dichotoma, Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1067. Houttuyn. Act. Uliss. 9. p. 325. t. 2 Stellio bifurcifer. Schnetd Amph, Phys. Spec. Alt. p. 21, Tue White-striped Gecko is one of the smaller species, measuring about seven or eight inches in length, and is of a somewhat more slender form than the rest: the head is large in proportion to the body; the limbs of moderate length; and the tail, which is slightly verticillated towards the .base, is rather slender, and scarcely equal to the body in length: the toes are lamellated beneath, marked by a sulcus or middle division, and ter- * It is not clear, from Osbeck’s description, whether the tail be vertically or laterally compressed. 972, FIMBRIATED GECKO. » minated by curved claws. This species is readily distinguished from all others yet discovered by its colour, being of a yellowish brown, marked on the back, from head to tail, by a very distinct white band, which on the head divides into a forked ap- pearance, and at the commencement of the tail into two short rounded tips: the slender part of the tail, commencing beyond the three first rings, is of the same pale or white colour, marked lon- gitudinally with several short, brown, scattered streaks. ‘The whole upper surface of the animal is beset with extremely small tubercles, so minute as not to be perceived without a close inspection. It is said to be a native of India. FIMBRIATED GECKO, Lacerta Fimbriata. L. corpore utrinque margine membranaceo Jimbriato, cauda plana, pedum lumellis sulco divisis, Gecko with membranaceous fimbriated border on each side of the body, flat tail, and lamelle of the feet divided by a . furrow, Stellio fimbriatus. Schneid. Amph. Phys. Sp. Alt. p. 32. La Tete-Plate. Cepede Ovip. p. 425. pl. 30. Tus remarkable species seems to have been first described by the Count de Cepede, who informs us that it appears in some degree to connect the Chameleon, the Gecko, and the Water Newts; the head, skin, and general form of the body resembling those of the Chameleon, the tail that of the Water Newts, being of a compressed form, though in a different manner (not vertically but: FIMBRIATED GECKO. OFS horizontally flattened), while the feet resemble those of the Gecko. The largest specimen ex- amined by the Count de Cepede measured about eight inches and six lines in length, of which the tail measured two inches and four lines. The head is very large, and much flattened: the eyes large; the opening of the mouth wide; the teeth very small and numerous, and the tongue broad, divided, and resembling that of the Gecko: the lower jaw is so thin or flat, that one would at first imagine the lower part of the head to be wanting: the outline of the whole head, viewed from above,. is almost triangular, as in the Chameleon; but the triangle is of a much longer form, and without any rising casque or crest as in that animal: the body is about twice the length of the head, and is bordered by a membrane or prolongation of the skin, which, commencing on each side the head, is continued along those of the body, forming a kind of fringed or fimbriated process, which also passes down each leg, separating the upper surface from the lower: the tail, which, as before ob- served, is much shorter than the body, is so formed as to resemble, in some degree, the shape of an oar; being expanded into a wide membranaceous part on each side, the true tail, or middle part, being taper and small: the legs are rather short: the feet di- ~ vided into five toes, connected at their origin by the skin of the legs, but much divided and ex- panded at their tips, and are all furnished beneath with a number of transverse lamelle, as in the rest of the Gecko tribe: the skin on all parts resembles Vs Lik. PB. Ie 18 O74: FIMBRIATED GECKO. that of the Chameleon, being covered with small protuberances, so as to give it a somewhat cha- grin-like appearance. ‘The colour of this animal is not constant or permanent, as in most lizards, © but variable, as in the Chameleon, presenting successively different shades of red, yellow, green, and blue. This variation of colour is, however, confined to the upper surface of the animal; the lower always continuing of a bright yellow. These changes, we are informed, have been observed in the living animal by Mons. Bruyeres in its native country, viz. Madagascar, where it is not very uncommon, and where, though a harmless ani- mal, it is held in great abhorrence by the natives, who consider it as of a poisonous nature, and fly from it with precipitation ; pretending that it darts on their breast, and adheres with such force by its fringed membrane that it cannot be separated from the skin without the assistance of a razor. ‘The principal cause of this popular dread of the animal, is its habit of running open-mouthed towards the spectator, instead of attempting to escape when discovered. Its chief residence is on the branches of trees, where it lives on insects, holding itself secure by coiling its tail, short as it is, half round the twig on which it sits. It chiefly appears in rainy weather, when it moves with con- siderable agility, often springing from bough to bough. On the ground it walks but slowly, the fore legs being shcties than the hinder. (275 FOUR-TOED GECKO. Lacerta tetradactyla. LL. lutea viridi variegata, pedibus tetra- dactylis, cauda plana. Yellow Gecko, varied with green, with tetradactyle feet, and flat tail. 7 Stellio tetradactylus. Schneid. Amph. Phys. Sp. Alt. p. 33. Le Sarroube. Cepede ovip. p. 493. Tus was first described by the Count de Ce- pede, from an account communicated by Mons. Bruyeres. It is very nearly allied to the Fim- briated Gecko, but differs in wanting the fimbri- ated margin, and in the number of toes on the fore feet, which are only four. Its length is about twelve inches: the head flat and oblong: the eyes large, with the pupils vertical: the neck long, and covered above with a double row of yellow scales; the back with a granulated yellow skin, marked with green spots or variegations: the abdomen is covered with yellow scales: in the form of the feet and tail it agrees with the preceding, except, as before observed, in having only four toes on the fore feet, for which reason the Count de Cepede has stationed it among the Salamanders. It isa native of Madagascar, where it is held in equal detestation with the former species. Its native name is Sarrube. It inhabits woods, and appears chiefly during the rainy season, and by night. 276 SCOLLOP-TAILED GECKO. Lacerta Caudiverbera. L. cauda depresso-plana pinnatifida, pes dibus palmatis, Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 359. Gecko with flat pinnatifid tail and palmated feet. Salamandra aquatica ex Arabia. Seb. 2. p. 109. ¢. 103. f. 2. Tus curious species is described by Seba, who represents it as a native of Arabia. Its total length is about sixteen inches, of which the tail measures something more than half. The head is large and flattish, the mouth wide, the tongue broad, the teeth small and numerous, the neck short, the throat protuberant, the body thick, and the limbs rather short than long: the fore feet are apparently formed like those oft the rest of the Gecko tribe: the hind feet are of a similar form, but strongly - palmated : the tail tapers gradually to the tip, but is edged throughout its whole length with a broad and deeply-scolloped fin or membrane, which gra- dually widens as it approaches the tip, where it is considerably broader than on the sides. The whole animal is covered, except on the head, with a smooth * skin of a yellow colour; the back being marked by numerous, distant, red tubercles or granules, each surrounded by a circle of small white scales: the thighs and middle part of the tail are also spotted with similar red tubercles, but not surrounded by white scales like those on fhe © By this Seba may perhaps mean a finely-scaled skin rather than a naked one. a e 78 yh | t fut i | if Wy i iy I wa = > = ic = 7 "OMIN") i) MYT \ ANY WRI \. WA It i li ! Wt drags yu0Lg SS Ww ‘OYFID) PURVIS @ “Jf PO0g SCOLLOP-TAILED GECKO. 877 back : the webs of the hind feet and the scolloped or finny part of the tail are of a bright red: all the toes are furnished with claws. It is an ex- tremely rare animal, and its full history does not appear to be clearly understood. VAR. ? Caudiverbera Peruviana. Laur. Amph. p.34. Feuillée Per. 2, p- 319. 4 e FEUILLEE, in his account of Peru, describes a species in many respects allied to the above, but of a blueish black colour. Mr. Schneider, who ranks the L. Caudiverbera among the rest of the Geckos, observes, that there is some confusion in the Count de Cepede’s work relative to this species and the American Croco- dile of Seba. ‘‘ Gallus De la Cepede omnem ani- malis notitiam, appositis licet locis civis sui Feu- illée et Laurenti, plane pervertit. Scilicet is nescio quo glaucomate oculis subito oborto in Systemate Linnei Sebani Thesauri tomum 1. ejusque tabu- lam 103. fig. 2. laudatum legere sibi visus est cum Linneus laudasset eandem tabulam ex tomo altero. Picturam igitur Sebanam, quam tamen ipse suo errore retulerat ad lacertam caudiverbe- ram, improbavit, et recte quidem, eique alteram ejusdem tomi in tab. 106. fig. 1. substituit, que Crocodilum Americanum plane expressit, atque ad ejus notitiam recte fuit relata a Laurentio. Cui errori sane gravissimo similes plures reperi in libro 278 SCHNEIDERIAN GECKO. Galli, quos tempore opportuniore alibi coarguam.” —Schneid. Amph. SCHNEIDERIAN GECKO. Lacerta Schneideriana. L. cinerea, cauda supra convexa infra plana, fascia utrinque capitis nigra, pedum lamellis lunulatis divisis. Grey Gecko, with tail convex above and flat below, a black band on each side the head, and the lamelle of the feet lu- nulated and divided. Stellio platyurus. Schneid. Amph. Sp. Alt. p. 30. SLIGHTLY described by Mr. Schneider, who considers it as a species before unnoticed: size not mentioned: colour cinereous, with a brown band on each side the head, running across the eyes over the shoulders: along each side of the body a kind of suture or wrinkling of the skin: tail broad, convex above, flat below, and edged with a row of longer and sharper scales than on the other parts. 979 SPARMANN’S GECKO. Lacerta Sparmanniana. LL. corpore supra papilloso, cauda lan- ceolata mediocri, palmis tetradactylis, Gecko with the body papillated above, lanceolate tail of mode- rate length, and tetradactyle fore feet. Lacerta Geitje. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1068. | Sparmann Act. Gothenb. 1. p. 75. t. 5. f. 1. Tuts small species, which does not exceed three inches in total length, is found at the Cape of Good Hope, where it is considered as a poisonous animal, the saliva, secreted moisture from its pores, &c. being said to produce tumours and even ganegrenes, which are sometimes cured by the application of citron juice, but if too much neglected, are productive of very dangerous symp- toms. It seems to have been first described by Sparmann. Its colour on the upper parts is a variegation of darker and lighter shades, and on the under parts whitish. SPITTING GECKO. Lacerta Sputator. LL. cinerea, supra fascus transversis fuscis, cauda terett subtus scutata. Grey Gecko, marked above with brown transverse bands, with round tail scutated beneath, Lacerta Sputator, Sparm. Nov. Act. Stockh. 5. n. 9. t. 4. fs: Tus also is a small species, scarce exceeding four inches in total length, and being often found 980 SPITTING GECKO. much smaller: the tail is but little longer than the body: the colour of the upper parts pale cine- reous, with several bands or transverse patches of brown, which gradually vanish towards the tip of the tail: the limbs are banded in the same man- ner: the under parts are pale cinereous or whitish: the tongue oblong, flattish, rounded, and slightly divided at the tip: the feet are divided into five toes, without claws, and terminated by a kind of dilated tips: the scales on the whole animal are smooth or glossy; the tail round and taper, and furnished beneath with a row of small scuta. This species is a native of the island of Eustatia, and occasionally strays into houses, and about wood- work, walls, &c. When disturbed by a near ap- proach, it is said to ejaculate from its mouth a black acrimonious fluid into the face of the spec- tator; thus causing a slight inflammation of the skin, which is commonly dispersed by rubbing the part with camphorated spirit of wine. The exact structure of the lower surface of the feet in this species is not distinctly described, but there is reason to suppose that it belongs to the Gecko tribe. ? 220.09 22g Ans 9 49 PUQINS UNpUo Tr uoy E0gr “WNIOG TWNIOTAAQO 4 five Ri oe . ie t = ee S55 500 Lo SA S ase oe BSAA) SS Aube v c ss > fe, oo, CONS ITER IIE wee —s GUS he ae nN ~- ss 79 281 Scinks, with round fish-like scales. _ OFFICINAL SCINK. Lacerta Scincus. LL. fusco-flavescens, supra fascus transversis Suscis, cauda brevi apice compressa, maxilla supertore longiore. Yellowish-brown Lizard, with transverse brown bands on the upper part, short tail with compressed tip, and upper jaw longer than the lower. Lacerta Scincus. lL. cauda tereti mediocrt apice compressa, di- gitis muticis marginatis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 365. ‘Scincus. Raj. Quadr. 271. | Scincus major. esl. Fascic. Rarior. t. 2. f. 1. The Common or Officinal Scink. TueE Scink is one of the middle-sized or smaller lizards, and is a native of many of the eastern parts of the world. It abounds in Lybia, Syria, Egypt, and Arabia, frequenting moderately dry and sandy soils, and growing to the length of six or seven inches, or even sometimes more. The head of the Scink is rather small than large, the body thick and round, and the tail in general con- siderably shorter than the body. The whole ani- mal is of a pale yellowish brown colour, with a few broad, dusky, transverse undulations or zones, and is uniformly covered with moderately large or fish-like scales, lying extremely close and smooth, so that the surface has a glossy or oily appearance. It is an animal of harmless manners, and, like most other lizards, supports itself on the various insects which vo about the regions it in- habits. 282 OFFICINAL SCINK. _ This animal-was once in high estimation as an article in the Materia Medica, and the flesh, par- : ticularly of the belly, was supposed to be diuretic, alexipharmic, restorative, and useful in leprous and many other cases; but whatever virtues it may possess when used fresh, it is not considered as of any importance when in its dried or imported state, and while it continued to be used in practice served only to increase the number of ingredients in that curious remnant of what Dr. Lewis happily terms the wild exuberance of medical superstition in former ages, the celebrated Confectio Damo- cratis, or Mithridate. The Scink is described and figured by Mr. Bruce under the name of // Adda, and is said to be ex- tremely common in the province of Atbara, in Abyssinia. j binig “*Tt burrows,” says this author, ‘‘ in the sand, and performs this operation so quickly, that it is out of sight in an instant, and appears rather to have found a hole than to have made one, yet it comes out often in the heat of the day, and basks itself in the sun; and if not very much frightened, will take refuge behind stones, or in the withered, ragged roots of the absinthium, dried in the sun to nearly its own colour. Its length is rather more than six inches: though its legs are long, it does not make use of them to stand upright, but creeps with its belly almost close to the ground. It runs, however, with very great celerity. It is very long from its shoulder to its nose, being nearly two inches: its body is round, having scarce any OFFICINAL SCINK. 283 flatness in its belly : its tail too is perfectly round, having no flatness in its lower part: it is exceed- ingly sharp-pointed, and very easily broke, yet I have seen several where the part broke off has been renewed, so as scarcely to be discernible: it is the same length between the point of the tail and the joint of the hinder leg, as was between the nose and the shoulder of the fore leg: its fore- head, from the occiput, is flat, its shape conical, not pointed but rounded at the end, in the shape of some shovels or spades: the head is darker than the body; the occiput darker still: its face is covered with fine black lines, which cross one another at right angles like a net: its eyes are small, defended with a number of strong black hairs or eye-lashes: its upper jaw is longer, and projects considerably over the under: both its jaws have a number of short, fine, but very feeble teeth, and, when holding it in my hand, though it struggled violently to get loose, it never at- tempted to make use of its teeth; indeed it seems to turn its neck with great difficulty: its ears are large, open, and nearly round: its body is a light yellow, bordering on straw colour, crossed with eight bands of black, almost equally distant, ex- cept the two next the tail: all these decrease both in breadth and length from the middle towards each extremity of the animal: the scales are largest along the back ; they are very close, though the divi- sions are sufficiently apparent: their surface is very polished, and seems as if varnished over: its legs, from the shoulder to the middle toe, are nearly an 984: OFFICINAL SCINK. inch and three quarters long; its feet are com- posed of five toes, the extremity of each is armed with a brown claw of no great strength, whose end is tipped with black.” Mr. Bruce adds, that the El Adda is one of the few lizards which the Arabs in all times have be- lieved to be free from poisonous qualities, and yet to have all the medical virtues they have so abund- antly lavished upon the more noxious species: their character, however, as a medicine, seems to be greatly on the decline in their native regions, and though the books prescribing them are in every body’s hands, yet the medicine is not now made use of in the places where the books were written, which affords a pretty strong proof that it was never very efficacious: Mr. Bruce observes, that lizards in general are peculiarly numerous in the eastern regions. ‘The desert parts of Syria, bordering on Arabia Deserta, abound with them beyond a possibility of count- ing them. ‘‘T am positive,” says Mr. Bruce, ‘' that I can say, without exaggeration, that the number I saw one day, in the great court of the temple of the Sun at Balbec, amounted to many thousands: the ground, the walls, and stones of the ruined build- ings, were covered with them, and the various co- lours of which they consisted made a very extra- ordinary appearance, glittering under the sun, in which they lay sleeping and basking.” SP ee Qo SEN: S ¢ = SSS SS. = ae = aS 25 — — = SS “Ss — — " Hr ei = = Ld oN SN zl N : iN i i K Hi My SA ee, i if vs rf Af 48 | ane Nghe TAILED N ay LON = == g = = ZE==YS =e EE = EZ SS ———— = === as \) SS SS —— ——* B= ———} Es ) iW it a ve ma \\ Wh Wt ! 285 GREATER SCINK. *. Lacerta Rufescens, L. rufo-flavescens, pedibus brevibus, cauda ~ mediocri. __ Yellowish-rufous Lizard, with short feet, and tail of moderate Tength. | > Lacertus Cyprius scincoides. Aldr. ovip. p. 660. ig L.. aurata.? L. cauda tereti longiuscula, squamis rotundatis gla- bris, lateribus subfuscis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 568. Lacerta maritima maxima, seu Crocodilus ex Arabia. Seb. 2. p. 112. t. 105. f: 3. Tuts species much resembles the common or officinal Scink, but is considerably larger, mea- suring fifteen inches or more in length, from the nose to the end of the tail, which latter is longer in proportion than that of the Scink. The colour _ of the whole animal is a pale rufous brown, with a still paler stripe down the back, and along each sidé: the head is covered in front with large angular scales; the body, limbs, and tail, with _ rounded ones, which are more distinctly expressed, or not quite so glossy and closely pressed to the skin as in the true Scink: the legs are short and © thick, the feet pentadactyle and furnished with small claws. It is, according to Seba, a native of Arabia and Egypt, living both in land and water, and often frequenting the shores of the Nile, &c. It seems also to be found in some of the European islands, and in particular in that of Cyprus, since the Lacertus Cyprius Scincoides of Aldrovandus appears to be the same animal: this latter is repre- sented as of a deeper colour on the sides than on 286 LONG-TAILED SCINK. the back, with a pale lateral line, and is commonly quoted as the Lacerta ayrata of Linnzus, which that author describes as being of a beautiful gilded hue, while living, which is lost in the dead speci- men. It is probably most remarkable in the young or half-grown animals, specimens sometimes occur- ring, of a small size, in which the gilded tinge of the scales, and brown lateral stripe, are very con- spicuous. ) LONG-TAILED SCINK. Lacerta longicauda. LL. olivacea-flavescens, cauda longissima, Olivaceous-yellow Lizard, with extremely long tail. Scincus marinus Americanus longa cauda. Seb, 2. p. 11. t. 10. fit. Tuts is considered by Dr. Gmelin as a variety of the common Scink ; yet it differs so much from that animal, by its great length of tail, that it is in all probability a very distinct species. It is, according to Seba, a native of America, and is said to frequent the sea coasts, and to feed on small crabs and spiders. Its colour is a greenish yellow, deeper or lighter in different individuals. f w! ' ie aN ‘ Fi ; y , Ry iy : ra 5 t 2 \ ie ‘ = , ‘ . Yon) i " bag , es i oh j i h Ed 5 cree cy a A SCE - MABOTY AN AN) AN ta. NN Ni SNe WN \ eae AUSTRALASIAN GALLIWAS t802 Jari: London Publijhd py Ghearsley Peet Street. 287 MABOUYA SCINK. Lacerta Mabouya. LL. subaurato-flavescens, lateribus subfuscis, pedibus brevibus, maxillis cequalibus, cauda medzocrt. Gilded-yellowish Lizard, with brownish sides, short legs, jaws of equal and tail of middling length. Le Mabouya. Cepede ovip. p. 378. pl. 34. TuE Mabouya, according to the Count de Ce- pede, who has described and figured it in his His- tory of Oviparous Quadrupeds, is extremely allied to the Scink, from which, indeed, on a cursory view, it scarce differs, except in having somewhat ‘shorter legs in proportion, and jaws of equal length; whereas in the Scink the upper jaw is longer than the lower. The length of the indi- vidual described by the Count de Cepede was eight inches: the ground colour is a kind of gilded yellow*, but the scales on the back are sometimes much darker with a white speck or line on each: along the sides of the body runs a dusky or deep brown band, beneath which the colour is much paler, forming almost a white band: the colour of this animal, however, like that of the preceding species, appears to vary in different specimens. It is a native of America, as well as of Jamaica and other West-Indian islands. It is also found, according to Cepede, * This species seems much allied to the ZL. aurata of Linnezus, the synonyms to which in the Systema Nature seem to be ap- plied with no very great precision. | 988 GALLIWASP.« in some parts of the old continent, and in parti- cular in the island of Sardinia, where it is known by the name of Tiligugu. : GALLIWASP. Lacerta Occidua. L. subfusca, fasciis subundulatis transversis Suscis, pedibus brevibus, cauda mediocri. | Brownish Lizard, with subundulated transverse bands, hart legs, and tail of middling length. Galliwasp. Sloan. Jam. 2. pl. 273. f. 9. Brown, Jam. p. 463. Tue Galliwasp differs from the L. rufescens, or Greater Scink, in being of a still larger size, and of a thicker form, as well as in having a somewhat shorter tail in proportion; but so great is the general similarity, that it might almost be con- sidered as a variety rather soins as truly distinct. The general length of the Galliwasp is nearly two feet, from the nose to the tip of the tail, which, like the body, is thick and strong, tapering pretty suddenly towards the tip: the limbs are short, and the whole appearance of the animal © remarkably stout and plump: the teeth are small in front, but as they approach the back part of — the jaws they gradually increase in size, and much. resemble the molares in the Mammalia. The Galliwasp is a native of the American islands, and seems to be particularly common in Jamaica, where it is said to frequent woody and marshy | GALLIWASP, 989 districts. It is commonly of a palish brown co- lour, clouded with somewhat irregular bands of a deeper cast; but it is said occasionally to change its colour into a lively golden yellow. A similar change of colour seems also to take place in the Greater African Scink before described, since it is by some authors named aurata, though the real L. aurata of Linneus, from the very brief specific character in the Systema Nature, seems not very easily determinable. The Galliwasp, according to Browne, in his Natural History of Jamaica, is reckoned the most venomous reptile in that island, and it is said that no creature can recover from its bite; but this he very properly considers as merely a popular error. It grows, according to that au- thor, to two feet or more in length. VAR.? Australasian Galliwasp. Lacerta Scincoides. Scincoid Lizard. Nat. Misc. pl. 179. Scincoid, or Scink-formed Lizard. White’s Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales, p. 242. pl. 30. Tus I consider as a variety of the preceding, with which it agrees in size and general appear- ance, but has larger scales, a longer tail in pro- portion, and is of a somewhat darker colour; the sides and tail being variegated with deep brown and somewhat irregular transverse bands, and on each side the neck is commonly a lon- gitudinal brown spot or patch. It is a native of New Holland, and is very accurately figured We TIL. PP. 1. 19 990 OCELLATED SCINK. in Mr. White’s Journal above referred to. ‘The tongue in this, as well as in the other Scinks, is short, flat, rounded, and entire; not forked as in most Lizards. SPOTTED SCINK. Lacerta Guttata. i. cauda tereti longa macults quatuor trans- versis & apice nigris, corpore supra cano albido guttato, subtus albido. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel, p. 1078. Lepechin. it. 1. p. 317. t. 22. f. 2, 3. Grey Lizard, spotted with white, with long tail marked by four transverse black bands and with black tip. A veERY small species, not much exceeding three inches in length: sufficiently described in the specific character: native of the Ural desert, where it was observed by Lepechin. OCELLATED SCINK. Lacerta Ocellata. L. cauda tereti brevi corpore subtus albo, su- pra ex griseo virescente, ocellis subrotundis radio fuscis, disco rectangulo albis. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1077. Forsk. F. Arab. p. 13. Greenish-grey Lizard, white beneath, marked above with roundish ocellated brown spots with white rectangular disks. Lenetu about a span: body depressed :. feet short, pentadactyle: no femoral warts: the other particulars sutficiently described by the specific Kk . aD) AN . AX —* | 4 | ACY Ny i « es 5 S Hi yi Mit till Stidp . . lev Lett Surel . (CUTS HH} Hil e | {ly Yan |||! Gi Fi jt! t601 Jars hoenden Publifil bv G4 SALAMANDER. 991 character: native of Egypt, about the neighbour- hood of houses, &c. : observed by Forskal. Salamanders, Newts, or Efts. SALAMANDER. Lacerta Salamandra. LL. nigra luteo maculata, cauda tereti me- diocri. | Black Lizard, spotted with gold-colour, with tail of middling length. , _ Lacerta Salamandra. LL. cauda tereti brevi, pedibus muticis, pal- mis tetradactylis, corpore poroso nudo. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 371. Salamandra terrestris. Aldr. Quad. 641. Raj. Quadr. 273. Gesn. Quadr. 80. ; ie Tue Salamander, so long the subject of popular error, and of which so many idle tales have been — | _recited by the more ancient naturalists, is an inha- bitant of many parts of Germany, Italy, France, &c. but does not appear to have been discovered in England. It delights in moist and shady places; woods, &c. and is chiefly seen during a rainy season. In the winter it lies concealed in the hollows about the roots of old trees; in subterraneous recesses, or in the cavities of old walls, &c. The Salamander is easily distin- guished by its colours; being of a deep shining black, variegated with large, oblong, and ra+ ther irregular patches of bright orange-yellow, which, on each side the back, are commonly so disposed as to form a pair of interrupted longi- 292 SALAMANDER. | tudinal stripes: the sides are marked by many large, transverse wrinkles, the intermediate spaces rising into strongly marked convexities; and the sides of the tail often exhibit a similar appearance: on each side the back of the head are situated a pair of large tubercles, which are in reality the parotid glands, and are thus protuberant not only in some others of the Lizard tribe. but in a re- markable manner in the genus Rana: these parts, as well as the back and sides of the body, are beset. in the Salamander with several large open pores or foramina, through which exsudes a peculiar fluid, serving to lubricate the skin, and which, on any lritation, is secreted in a more sudden and co- pious manner under the form of a whitish gluten, of a slightly acrimonious nature; and from the readiness with which the animal, when disturbed, appears to evacuate it, and that even occasionally to some distance, has arisen the long-continued popular error of the Salamander’s being enabled to live uninjured in the fire, which it has been sup- posed capable of extinguishing by its natural cold- ness, and moisture: the real fact is, that, like any of the cold and glutinous animals, as snails, &c. it, of course, is not quite so instantaneously destroyed by the force of fire as an animal of a drier nature would be. The general length of the Salamander is about seven or eight inches, though it sometimes arrives at a much larger size: in the number and form of its spots it varies considerably, and is occasionally seen entirely SALAMANDER, 993 black: the tail is somewhat shorter* than the body, and of a round or cylindric form, gradually tapering to the extremity, which is rather obtuse than sharp. Like other Lizards of this tribe, the Salamander lives principally on insects, small snails, &c. its tongue, however, is not so formed as to catch these in a sudden manner, being short, broad, and in some degree confined, so as not to be darted out with celerity. It is capable of liv- ing in water as well as on land, and is sometimes found in stagnant pools, &c. Its general pace is slow, and its manners torpid. A strange error appears to have prevailed rela- tive to the supposed poisonous nature of this ani- mal, and the malignity of its venom has even been considered as scarcely admitting a remedy. On this subject the writings of Gesner and Aldro- vandus afford ample information ; but it is useless, as well as unpleasing, in these days of general illu- mination, to detail the absurd and erroneous doc- trines of pastages. It may be sufficient to observe, that the Salamander is perfectly innoxious, and incapable of inflicting either wound or poison on any of the larger animals, though it appears, from the experiments of Laurenti, that the com- mon small grey lizard (L. agil. var.) is poi- soned by biting a Salamander, and thus swallow- ing the secreted fluid of the skin; becoming * It is remarkable, that in the beautiful representation of this animal in the frontispiece to Roesel’s Historia Ranarum, the tail is longer than the body; but this must be considered as a rare occurrence. 204 SALAMANDER. almost. immediately convulsed, and dying in a very short time afterwards. The Salamander is a viviparous species; pro- ducing its young perfectly formed, having been first hatched from internal eggs, as in the Viper, and some other Amphibia. It is said to retire to the water in order to deposit its young, which, at their first exclusion, are furnished with ramified * branchial fins or processes on each side the neck, and which being merely temporary organs, are afterwards obliterated, as in the young of frogs and water-newts. The number of young pro- duced at one birth by the Salamander is said sometimes to amount to thirty or forty. * On this subject some confusion and disagreement will be found to take place in the works of different naturalists; Mr. Latreille seems to doubt very much whether the Salamander’ really produces her young in the water, as well as whether they are at first furnished with ramified branchial fins. 295 COMMON NEWT. Lacerta Vulgaris. L.fusco-flavescens, linea dorsali duplici fusca, abdomine croceo fusco-maculato. Yellowish-brown Newt, with a double brown dorsal line, and orange-coloured abdomen, spotted with brown. Lacerta vulgaris. LL. cauda tereti mediocri, pedibus unguiculatis, palmis tetradactylis, dorso linea duplici fusca. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 370. Faun, Suec. 283. Brown Lizard. Pennant Brit. Zool. 3. p. 23. pl. 2. Common Newt. Nat. Misc. vol. 9. pl. 118. Tuts, which is the smallest of the British Li- zards, is altogether a terrestrial species. It 1s commonly seen in gardens, and not unfrequently in the neighbourhood of dunghills, &c. It also occasionally makes its way into cellars in the manner of the slug, the toad, &c. Linnzus, in the twelfth edition of the Systema Nature, seems to suppose it an inhabitant of the water during its young or larva state. I can, however, safely affirm, that I have more than once met with specimens in perfectly dry situations, and at a distance from any waters, so extremely minute as scarce to equal half an inch in length, and which yet ap- peared to differ in no respect, except in magnitude, from the full grown animal. I am, therefore, in- clined to suppose it a viviparous species. Its gene- ral length is about three inches and a half, and its colour yellowish brown above, with a double, nar- row, dorsal line or streak of a deeper tinge; the ~ under parts bright orange, spotted with brown. 296 GREAT WATER-NEWT. Lacerta Palustris. LL. nigricans, lateribus albido-punctatis, abdos mine croceo maculis inequalibus nigris. Blackish Newt, with the sides speckled with white; the abdo- men orange, with irregular black spots. Lacerta palustris. L. cauda lanceolata mediocri, pedibus muticis, palms tetradactyhs. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 370. The warted Newt. Nat, Misc. 8. pl. 279. Tue larger or warted Water-Newt is consider- ably allied to the Salamander in its general ap- pearance, though of inferior size, and marked by a different distribution of colours. It also differs from that species in the highly conspicuous dorsal crest, or elevated and irregularly sinuated process with which the male is furnished. This species, when full grown, measures from about five and a half to six inches in length, and sometimes ra- ther more. Its colour on the upper parts is an extremely dark or blackish brown, the sides being marked with numerous, small, scattered, whitish specks or granulations: the under parts are of a bright orange-colour, variegated with numerous, large, irregular spots or patches of deep black: the tail is of a flattened form, with thin or sharp edges, and with an acute termination: on each side the tail, in the male, is a silvery-white, broad band or stripe, accompanied by a blueish tinge: this lateral tail-stripe, as well as the dorsal crest or process, is generally far less conspicuous, and GREAT WATER-NEWT. 997 even sometimes entirely wanting, in the female: the eyes are of a bright gold-colour; the head ra- ther small than large; the limbs short; the fore feet divided into four, and the hind into five toes, all of which are destitute of claws. This animal is by no means an infrequent inhabitant of the clearer and colder kinds of stagnant waters, and is also occasionally met with in damp and shady situations, under trees, hedges, &c. &c. It is, in this country at least, a much rarer species than the smail or common water-newt, with which it appears to have been confounded by some au- thors, and among others by the Count de Cepede, in his History of Oviparous Quadrupeds. The male is most accurately represented in the pre- sent publication, on the same plate with the Sala- mander, with which, as before observed, it seems to have a considerable degree of affinity. It lives principally on insects. Though an innoxious spe- cies, and perfectly incapable of injuring any of the larger animals, yet it appears, from the experi- ments of Laurenti, that the natural exsudation or secreted moisture of its skin is fatal, like that of the Salamander, to the small varieties of the La- certa agilis, several of which, on biting this ani- mal, soon became paralytic on the fore legs, were seized with a general weakness, and died without any convulsive motions. 298 \ COMMON WATER-NEWT. | Lacerta Aquatica. LL. olivaceo-fusca nigro maculata, subtus erocea, cauda ancipiti lateribus sinuata. Olive-brown Water-Newt, spotted with black, with orange- coloured abdomen, and sharp-edged sinuated tail. Lacerta Aquatica. LL. cauda teretinscula mediocri, pedibus mu- ticis, palmis tetradactylis. Lin, Syst. Nat. p. 370. The Smaller or Common Water-Newt. Nat. Misc. 11. pl. 412. Tuis, which in England occurs in almost every soft stagnant water, is a much smaller species ~ than the preceding; and though the different spe- cimens occasionally vary very considerably as to the cast of colour, yet the animal may at all times be very readily distinguished from the former. Its general length is about three inches and a half, and it very rarely exceeds that of four inches at most. The male is distinguishable at first sight from the female by its very conspicuous dorsal crest or process, which is broader in proportion, more strongly elevated, and more regularly sinuated than that of the preceding species: the sinuations are continued to the very tip of the tail on the upper part, and take place likewise in a similar proportion on the under part as far as the junction of the tail with the abdomen; whereas in the for- mer species the upper part alone of the tail can properly be said to be crested: this wide process, or sinuated part, is remarkably transparent, and when viewed with a lens of even moderately mag- fying power, exhibits very distinctly the ramifi- cations of the blood-vessels dispersed through it: ComMON NEWT. LAC: PUNCTATA . Latreille. < LARVAE of common Water Newt. MEM .Zatreille. iii \ \ \\ COMMON WATER NEWT. 1601 Jan“t London Publi{hid by Ghearsley Fleet Strcet . WS Wyo OF / COMMON WATER-NEWT. 299 butif examined by the microscope, is, perhaps, of all other objects that can be selected for that purpose, the most eligible for exhibiting a general view of the circulation ; shewing, in the most distinct and beautiful manner, the rapid current of the blood, the particles of which, in this animal, as well as inthe rest of the Amphibia, are of an oval form ; not round, as in the Mammalia. In the greater Water-Newt, on the contrary, this part, being nearly opake, can by no means advantageously. exhibit the same phenomenon. The female is almost destitute of the dorsal crest, but the tail is furnished with an approach to it, though far less conspicuous thanin the male. The general colour of the male is olive-brown, beautifully and dis- tinctly marked with numerous, round, black spots, dispersed over every part of the animal, but largest and most conspicuous on the sides and tail: the abdomen is orange-coloured, the black spots often appearing rather less intense on that part than on the back. The female, differs very considerably in colour, being generally of a pale yellowish brown, much less distinctly spotted, and from the want of the dorsal crest, might be almost mistaken for a different species by a person incon- versant in the history of thé animal. On the top of the head, in both sexes, are three or four lon- gitudinal dusky streaks: the eyes are small and gold-coloured: the fore feet tetradactylous; the hind pentadactylous ; all destitute of claws, and in some specimens more or less approaching to a kind of palmated appearance towards the base, as 300 COMMON WATER-NEWT. in the sixth figure of the sixth plate of Mons. Latreille’s work on the Salamanders of France; which figure appears to me to represent no other than a very fine specimen of the male of the pre- sent species, though considered as different by Mons. Latreille, and distinguished by the title of punctata. It is certain that the water-newt varies considerably in the cast of its colour at different times of the year, and in different states of the weather, even in the course of the same day ; and if taken out of soft water, and suddenly plunged into that of a colder temperature, will almost 1m- mediately become of a considerably darker tinge than before. The breadth of the tail, and that of the toes, seems also to be occasionally liable, in this animal, to considerable variation: I cannot, therefore, prevail upon myself to consider all the water-newts described by Mons. Latreille in the above publication as specifically distinct ; and it is remarkable that that which Mons. L. expressly describes and figures under the title of palmata, is in reality far less palmated than his punctata, before mentioned, as will be evident on inspecting the oth plate of that author’s own work. The Water Newt breeds in the early part of the spring, depositing small oblong * strings or clus- ~* According to Spallanzani, the ova are of a kidney-shaped form, and seem, in reality, to be so many ready-formed larve, since, long before they leave the gluten in which they are im- bedded, their motions are very brisk and frequent: they liberate themselves from the surrounding gluten in about ten days; the branchial fins are visible on their first exclusion, and the rudi- COMMON WATER-NEWT. 801 ters of spawn, from which are soon hatched the larve or young, which, for a considerable period, are furnished with a triple pair of ramified branchial fins or processes on each side the neck; thus giv- ing the animal, in some degree, the appearance of a small fish. These parts, after having served their temporary purpose, of assisting the respiration of the animal, during its growing state, are gradually obliterated. Water-Newts frequently cast their skins, which ‘may be occasionally observed floating in the waters they inhabit, and are sometimes so per- fect as to exhibit the whole form of the complete animal. | : The Water-Newts are remarkable for a high degree of reproductive power, and have been known to exhibit the restoration of their legs, tails, and even, according to Dr. Elumenbach, of the eyes themselves, after having been deprived of them by cutting. That the eyes of the com- ments of the fore legs soon begin to appear, and in something more than a fortnight those of the hind legs become visible; the branchial fins become obliterated about the beginning of Sep- tember, at which time the animal appears in its perfect form. It may be added, that as these animals may be said in some de- gree to verify the celebrated and seemingly paradoxical case recorded by Averroes, and so wittily commented upon by Sir Thomas Brown ™, it should seem that hybrid productions may be more frequent between these than other amphibia; and this may account for the numerous varieties occasionally observed and de- scribed by authors. . Pseudodoxia Epidemica, book vii, chap. 16. 302 COMMON WATER-NEWT. mon green Lizard (Lac. agilis) have been restored to their former fullness and strength after being punctured with a needle so as to let out the aqueous humour, is an observation recorded by Pliny *, and referred to by Mr. Schneider in the first fasciculus of his work entitled Historia Am- phibiorum. | | _ It has been already observed, in the general de- scription of the Amphibia, at the beginning of this volume, that they are tenacious of life, and that water-newts have been found completely imbedded in masses of ice, in which they must have remained some weeks, or even, perhaps, months, and yet on the dissolution of the ice, have been restored to their former vigour. It is remarkable that they are very readily killed by being plunged into salt water, or rubbed on the back for a short time with common salt. I must not omit to add, that the LZ. palustris and aquatica t have by some writers been consi- * Speaking of various remedies for blindness, Pliny says, ‘* Las _ certas quoque pluribus modis ad oculorum remedia assumunt.— Alii terram substernunt Lacerte viridi excoecatz, et una in vitreo vase annulos includunt e ferro solido vel auro: cum recepisse visum lacertam apparuerit per vitrum, emissa ea, annuli contra lippitudinem utuntur.”—Plin. Hist. Nat. hb. 29. sect. 28. + Linnzus seems not to have understood clearly the nature of this animal; since, after its specific character, in the 12th edit. of the Systema Nature, he proposes a question ; whether it may not be the Larva of the Lacerta vulgaris ? and in a former edition of the same work he appears to think it the Larva of the L. agilis ; upon which query Laurenti makes the following observation: ‘*« Linneus interrogat: an forte larva lacerte agilis? Inepta -LEVERIAN WATER-NEWT. 803 dered as constituting merely one of the same spe- cies; but this can surely be accounted for on no other supposition than the want of an opportunity of contemplating the animals in their living state. Among those who have thus conjoined, or rather confounded them, must be numbered the Count de Cepede, whose negligence in this respect affords a curious contrast to the opposite extreme of Mr. Latreille and Mr. Schneider. LEVERIAN WATER-NEWT. ~ Iw the Leverian Museum is a specimen of an extremely large water-newt, supposed to be a non-descript species. Its total length 1s seventeen mches and a half, of which the tail measures six mches and a half, from the setting on of the thighs, but if measured from the commencement of the upper membranaceous edge, only four inches and three quarters. The head is flattened and shaped somewhat like that of a burbot; the mouth moderately wide; the upper jaw furnished in front with two concentric rows of very nume- rous, small, setaceous teeth; the rows being set about the eighth of an inch apart: in the under jaw is a single row only: the eyes are small, round, and situated on each side the front of the head, questio! Cl]. Du Fay in Act. Gall. ostendit generare oviparam ; ostendit preeterea, & pinxit metamorphoses, &c. Legat Linneeus, et cessabit tandem interrogare.” 304 SPOTTED WATER-NEWT. and consequently very remote from each other, and not near so far backward as the corners of the mouth: the body is longish, moderately plump or thick, and is pale brown, marked, in a conflu- ent manner, with darker variegations: from the fore to the hind legs runs an obscurely-elevated lateral line: the legs are about an inch in length, and both fore and hind legs are furnished along the whole length of their back part with a dilated skin or crest, which, just above each foot, is sinuated by two pretty deep scollops or insections: the tail resembles that of the common water-newt, but is neither so long nor so deeply finned or crested in proportion, and its termination is rather obtuse than acute: the feet are very small: the fore feet furnished with four, and the hind with five toes, all destitute of claws, or at least the ap- pearance of those parts. is but very obscure. No particular history is annexed to the specimen, nor is its native place known. SPOTTED WATER-NEWT. Lacerta Maculata. L. nigricans, dorso longitudinaliter duplict serie albo maculato. Blackish Water-Newt, with a double row of white spots down the back. Lacerta punctata. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1076. Spotted Eft. Catesb. Car. Append. t. 10. Tuts species, according to Catesby, is an inha- bitant of ponds, ditches, and other stagnant waters < BY . i nS ‘ . ‘ ‘ ¢ “8 ‘ ; ‘ ' ‘ s SEL po —_—=_= \ \ Hi A i) Sass = == —— =SS SS ——— ——— ———— == === SSS ——— SSS ———= in | mH) ~- * P29 BOM of AISIDIY 2 AG PUDGRL UlPuog?: = > | i iit i | i HN ) Ai) Ha VOONY ieNE v Se “daw ZU] APODAL LIZARD. ce = $e Dec.1London Publiphed by 6 Kearsley, Li leet Street. 309 APODAL LIZARD. Lacerta Apus. LD. anguiformis ferruginea, pedibus anterioribus nullis, posterioribus brevissimis monodactylis, Ferruginous snake-formed Lizard, without fore feet, and with very short monodactylous hind feet. Lacerta apus. L. capite & corpore continuis una cum cauda longa teretibus imbricutis pallidis, pedibus anterioribus nullis, posteri- orum subdidactylorum vestigio. Pall. Nov. Comm. Petrop. 19. p. 435.t..9, “Lin. Syst. Nat, Gmel. p. 1079. A STILL nearer approach is made to the snake tribe by this large and singular Lizard, than even by the Chalcides. It is a native of Greece, the Southern parts of Siberia, and doubtless of many other parts of Europe and Asia, though it seems to have been but recently known to naturalists, Dr. Pallas, who discovered it in the south of Siberia, having been its first describer. It is found of the length of near three feet, and so perfectly resem- bles the general form of a large snake, that it is not without a near inspection that it is ascertained to belong to the race of Lizards; being furnished merely with a pair of very short and somewhat acuminated processes by way of feet, situated at a vast distance from the fore parts of the body, nearly on each side the vent: the processes have no divisions or toes, but seem to form one simple projection, with a slight indenture only: the head is rather large, and covered with large scales: the snout rather taper; the upper jaw somewhat pro- jecting over the lower: the mouth moderately wide: the ears very conspicuous: there is no ap- 310 APODAL LIZARD. N pearance of neck; the body tapering in the most — gradual manner from the head to the end of the tail, which is longer than the body, and terminates in a point. The whole animal is covered with lon- gitudinal rows of moderately large scales with ii ae tips, and so disposed as to form so- many prominent or carinated lines along the sur- face, in consequence of which a transverse section of the body, in any part, presents a multangular outline. Along each side of the body, from the head to near half the length of the tail, runs a deep continued furrow or channel. The colour of this Lizard is a pale chesnut or ferruginous above, and pale yellow-brown beneath. It is sin- eular that an animal of so large a size should so Laie have remained unknown to systematic natu- ralists. ‘Two very fine specimens were brought from Greece by the late Dr. John Sibthorp, Pro- fessor of Botany in the University of Oxford, and from one of these was drawn the accurate figure engraved on the annexed plate. ‘The animal fre- quents moist and shady places, and appears to be of a harmless character. BIPED LIZARD. Lacerta Bipes. L. corpore sudequali tereti imbricato pallido, squamarum singularum puncto fusco, pedibus anteriortus nulls, __-posteribus didactylis muticis. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1079. -Long-bodied cylindric pale-yellow Lizard, speckled with brown, without fore-feet, and with very small didactylous hind-feet. Anguis bipes. 4. squamis abdominalibus 100, caudalibus 60. Tin, Mus. Ad. Frid. p. 21. t. 28. f: 3. i cad mc. Sen. 1. c. 50. J. 9. Gt. 80. f. 3. A SMALL species, said to be found in South ulus and in India. Length about six inches: _ diameter scar cely that of a goose quill: colour pale yellow, minutely speckled with brown: head ‘small; body cylindric, tail very short and taper but not sharp-pointed: on each side the vent is a _ small subulated foot, which being closely exa- mined is found to be divided into two small and — unequal toes, without claws. This Lizard is de- scribed by Linneus in the Museum Adolphi Fri- derici as a species of snake, under the title of An- guis bipes. It is also figured in the same work, but more elegantly in that of Seba. LUMBRICIFORM LIZARD. Lacerta Lumbricoides. L. bipes cylindrica, squamis quadratis annulata, sulco laterali, pedibus posterioribus nullis. Two-footed cylindric Lizard, annulated with square scales, with a lateral furrow and no hind feet. Le Cannellé. Cepede ovip. p. 613. pl. 41. Lacerta Lumbricoides. Lumbriciform Lizard. Nat. Mise, vol: 6. pl. 212. Native of Mexico. First described by the Count de Cepede in his History of Oviparous S12 - LUMBRICIFORM LIZARD. Quadrupeds. Length eight inches: diameter near half an.inch: length of head three lines;. of the tail one inch: both head and tail, as in the genus | Amphisbena, scarce distinguished by any differ- ence of diameter from the body, which is of uni- form breadth throughout, and is covered entirely by annuli of square scales, as in the Amphisbena fuliginosa: along the whole body, from head to tail, on each side, runs a continued sulcus or channel, separating the upper or lower surfaces : legs only two; extremely short, placed near the head, and divided into five minute toes with cor- respondent claws: not the least appearance of hind legs: vent surrounded on its upper part by a row of small perforated papille, as in the thighs of the ereen lizard, &c. Colour of the living animal suspected to be green, paler beneath. | The specimen preserved in the British Museum is about half the size of that described by the Count de Cepede, and is of a pale ferruginous colour above, and yellowish white beneath. & END ‘OF PART 4. London: printed by T. Davison, White-friars, 4 GENERAL ZOOLOGY iT SYSTEMATIC NATURAL HISTORY by a GEORGE SHAW, M.D.F.RB.S.&c. WITH PLATES from the first Authorities and most select specimens Engraved frerreypally wy > c M*® HEATH. LoL . UNA \“_FZ rn) SN NX Mh fi LP y t Shaw adel: Heath seule, VOL... Parti. AMPHIBTIA. London Printed for G-Kearslev, Fleet Street. 18O2, SLNeele Scrip Strand. GENERAL ZOOLOGY. VOLUME II!.——PART II. AMPHIBIA. LONDON. PRINTED BY THOMAS DAVISON, WHITE-FRIARS. ——a 1802. et RE Sata aRS Bete : RT RN SUB \ ay Bi ~ J > Sah ire ines eee ana Poo NT BON OES VOL. Il.—PART II. Page Page CROCHORDUS cewnus || Boa, crotaline , e552 573 fasciated . £5343 Javan 573 ||——viperine . . eas doubtful 575 lineated . . 356 fasciated 576 Horatta é ~ 839 Siamese. . 860 hog-nosed . . 361 palpebral. - 362 annulated . e303 ANGUIS GENUS BRS AMPHISBEZNA GENUS 591 white 591 fuliginous 593 || CrotaLus Genus . 817 - Boa GENUS : - 337 | CoLUBER GENUS - 364 Constrictor ' on Boy ringed i - 3544 | CacILIA GENUS - 595 —— water - + S45 || —————eel-shaped . 595 brown : - 345 | —————white-sided 596 canine i 2 B40 ||) ene Slender 2 eiaor royal . : . 347 embroidered . 048 | Hyprus GENUS - Joo garden - . 350 | —————colubrine . 556 wat ww 851 | Caspian, 557 iv Hydrus, great slender . -blueish . short ——— fasciated spiral w—— dark-blue cinereous fishing marsh LANGAYA GENUS Rattle-Snake, banded striped J ree wood ~—— iniliary SIREN GENUS Snake, horn-nose crotaline Clotho Lachesis Atropos Alecto Tisiphone Megera . Spectacle Russelian grass-green ———— severe —_—— bull-headed hemachate —— water-viper wane——- milk-white black-backed -crimson-sided . CONTENTS. 558 || Snake, broad-cheeked . 428 . 560 fierce. 429 561 || ———— short-headed . 430 562 | ———silver-eyed . 431 563 || ———— coralline 432 564 || ———— Canada 433 566 || ———- superb 433 567 || ———- aulic 434: 507 Boiquatrara. 435 568 Malpalon 430 570 striated . 436 Serenus . a. Alege aus ocellated 438 317 Argus 439 3aG Chiametla ~ 440 oe Java Aad 336 Daboya . ~ 440 ena ae : - 443 triangular-headed 44.4 397 Panther . 445 400 Leopard ~ 445 . 401 spotted . 446 402 ringed - 446 4.04, French a 44.9 405 dun - 450 406 | ———— Z'sculapian 452 ~ 407 mourning « 453 409 | —-—— large-scaled 456 418 carinated . 457 420 Molurus - 458 421 | ——— copper-bellied - 458 422 cupreous 459 423 || —_——— Surinam « 460 425 Weoe Corn og 460 425 || —_—— textile . 462 427 |) ————- wampum - 463 AQT | omen black . - 464 Snake, viper-headed_ . —— plicatile . . chain)» « ° w———— broad-nosed . ———fulvous . ’ short-tailed . —— blue-green . Lutricg 316 a———oraphic . . ———= Cenchoa —— coachwhip clouded ornamented Pintado —— miliary pearly ——— marbled . Ammobates ——— crossed Peruvian Linnzan A glossy Hygeian ——— Domicella — chequered - black-headed annulated : Dipsas_. : necklace ——— ring-banded — Cobella rough Algerine Hannasch red-throated Sipedon . ; =—-— spotted-sided . CONTENTS. 405 466 4.67 468 469 470 471 472 474 475 476" 476 A77 478 479 4.80 480 481 482 4.83 4.86 487 487 488 489 4.90 4.90 491 4.92 4.92 4.93 4.94 495 495 4.95 4.96 4.97 Snake, white-skinned . brown . ‘ grey : % Cape sur unin: angular. . ° cerulean livid : : red-bead - ——— doubtful : —— agile ——— flat-nosed ——— Padera ——— Australasian ——— cyanean . ——— Sibon —-— dingy. ‘ ——— Tyrian |} ———--—_ Pelia : 5 ——— egg. ——— swift ‘ —— Hickanella ——— boaform . ——— mucous . i cerulescent —— smooth — catenated cinereous ——— Hippocrepis —— scutated . —— Minerva’s ——-— Caspian ——— domestic —— half-spotted ——— Caracara ——— quill : . ——— Schockar ——— Beatan . Vi CONTENTS. Snake, Hoellick . . 525) Snake, Aurora . «. 544 ~— Jara : © 525 || — Iberacoa - 544 w——— Arnee . . 526 | ——-—pale ‘ « 545 ——— sagittated . 526 | — long-snouted « 546 w———— streaked . - 527 | ——— nasutus . . 548 ——— fasciated - 528 || ———— purpurascent . 549 ——— biped . - 528 || ——— iridescent . 556 lineated . » §29 | ——— summer . . 551 Dart , ~ 380 | ——— filiform (.'') . S58 ——— Sibilant . . 530 | ——— black-tailed . 552 ——— Situla . . 532 || ——— collared . Peay ——— Saurite . o> 8382 — vittated . . 533-1] Viper, common . S65 — black-backed . 534 black i Oto ——— Sirtal Z PrraBo American black 377 —elegant . ~~ 586 Ammodytes - 379 —— teniated . 53% Charasian . ~ oY ——bilineated . 538 Redi’s : ae busle=-*. a Sag ASD? ‘ . 381 ——— trifasciated «GAD Swedish . «~ G88 ——-— stolated >. «i GAD Greek : . 384 ——— trilineated . 543 Scythian . « 385 Bochir . wo BAD Cerastes . +) 888 ERRATA.—VOL. III. PART II. P. 449, |. 1. for punctato read punctatis. P. 482, 1. 1. for dorsal read dorsali. - Directions for placing the Plates invol. ITI. part IT. & The Vignette represents a species of Australasian Snake not yet fully described: it has the habit of a Boa, is covered with very small scales, and varied with irregular yellow spots ona blackish ground: length about 14 inches. See White's Voyage, p. 259. pl. 46. . Plate 87 to face page 314 Plate 114 to face page 454 88 ——— 317 115 —————_455 89 ——— 333 116 —————._ 458 90 ————_- 334 117 ———— 458 oe e335 11g) oe ee 92 ———._ 339 119 ————_ 461 | 346 120 ——-_——._ 463 04. ————_ 344 121 —————_.465 95 —— 346 122 ———_—-_ 483 96 ————_ 347 123 ————-_ 556 97 ————._ 348 124 ————._ 558 98 ————_ 350 125 ————_ 564 99 —— 353 126 —————_ 566 100 ————_ 355 127 ————. 571 101 ————_—_ 365 128 ———-_—_ 573 102) ST 129 ————._ 575 103 ————._ 385 1430 ————-_ 576 104 —————._ 307 oe Ee ao) 105 —————._ 402 1382 583 106 ————_ 403 133 ——— 588 107 ————-_ 409 134 —— 591 108 ————_ 418 135 ———._ 593 109 ————-._ 422 136 ———_———._ 595 Ne —— 48 137 —————_ 596 1) os 138 ————— 601 112 ——_—._ 452 139 ————._ 608 113 —————_.453 ’ 140 ————=— 612 vA) errretoninin ae 4 A ' , i i nN u cae i yy zi . Nia * : \ i oy ‘ ae fs ne eticee ej | i y i] 1 Ail r ” : rai aie’: 5 i x s * Layne i \ ¥ ft i 1 4 r 7 3 ‘ ay i ia ‘ ‘ . / u #, f ¥ f 5 oe ves pe ¥ 1 313 AMPHIBIA SERPENTES. Turse animals are sufficiently distinguished from the preceding tribes of Amphibia by their total want of feet, moving by the assistance of their scales, and their general powers of contor- tion. “ : The distinction of species in this numerous tribe is often peculiarly ditficult. Linnzus persuaded himself that an infallible criterion might be found in the number of scaly plates on the abdomen and ‘beneath the tail; and, accordingly, attempted in the Systema Nature to discriminate the species by this mark alone: experience, however, has suf- ficiently shown that, though often highly useful in the investigation of these animals, it is yet by much too uncertain and variable to be per- mitted to stand as an established specific test; _ and it is to be lamented that Linneus should have so little availed himself of other more ob- V. III. P. II. 21 314 SERPENTS. vious characters. The colour is indeed often va- riable, but the pattern, or general distribution of markings in each species, appears to be more con- stant: the relative size of the head, the length of the body and tail, the size, smoothness, or rough- ness of the scales, as well as their shape in dif- ferent parts of the animal, often afford pretty cer- tain specific marks. The distinction of Serpents into poisonous and innoxious can only be known by an accurate exa- mination of their-teeth; the fangs or poisoning teeth being always of a tubular structure, and calculated for the conveyance or injection of the poisonous fluid from a peculiar reservoir commu- nicating with the fang on each side of the head: the Pes are always ‘abitied in the anterior and exterior part of the upper jaw, and are generally, but not always, of much larger size than the other teeth; they are also Peanchily accompanied by some smaller or subsidiary fangs, apparently de- stined to supply the principal ones when lost either by age or accident. The fangs are situated in a peculiar bone, so articulated ayes the rest of the ~ jaw as to elevate or depress them at the pleasure of the animal: in a quiescent state they are recum- bent, with their points directed inwards or back- wards ; but when the animal is inclined to use them as weapons of offence, their position is altered by the peculiar mechanism of the above- mentioned bone in which they are rooted, and these become almost perpendicular. | a } of rnroxtots —2), o7 \, Lt ja < BAN =a ~ S42 X S& SS Se SS Siz 2aN SSE] Ss = Q = . —— ~S Ss & Se S& =e A ae. SS) Fang a, SZ We 3f => ; y So —_a> =o SS SESS Sts \ Se SS SAK AS — RS) Swe SS ESPERO NG ——— HEAD of RATTLE-SNAKE. = Mationy j 1801 Dect, London Publishd by 6kearstev, Fleet Street SERPENTS. 315 & general rule for the determination of the ex- istence or non-existence of these organs in any species of Serpent is proposed in a paper relative to the Amphibia by Dr. Gray, and published in the Philosophical Transactions for the year 1788. The fangs, according to Dr. Gray, may be dis- tinguished with great ease, and, as he believes also, with great certainty, by the following sim- ple method. When it is discovered that there is something like teeth in the anterior and exterior part of the upper jaw, which situation he considers as the only one in which venomous fangs are ever found, let a pin or other hard body be drawn from that part of the jaw to the angle of the mouth; (which operation may, for greater certainty, be tried on each side). If no more teeth be felt in that line, it may, he thinks, be fairly concluded that those first discovered are fangs, and that the serpent is consequently venomous: if, on the con- trary, the teeth first discovered be observed not to stand alone, but to be only a part of a complete row, it may as certainly be concluded that the serpent is not venomous,” This rule, however, like most others, may have its exceptions, and perhaps the most legitimate test of real fangs in a serpent is their tubular structure, which may always be easily detected by the assistance of a proper magnifier. It isto be observed, that all ser- pents, whether poisonous or not, have besides the teeth (whether fangs or simple teeth), in the sides of the upper jaw, two additional or interior rows, which are generally much smaller than the rest, 316 SERPENTS. and frequently scarce visible: the general rule, therefore, is, that all venomous serpents have only two rows of true or proper teeth in the upper jaw, and that all others have four. A head entirely covered with small scales is in some degree a character, but by no means a uni- versal one, of poisonous serpents; as are also ca- rinated scales on the head and body, or such as are furnished with a prominent middle line. All Serpents are in the habit of casting their skin at certain periods; in temperate regions annu- ally ; in the warmer perhaps more frequently. The serpents of the temperate and cold climates also conceal themselves, during the winter, in cavities beneath the surface of the ground, or in any other convenient places of retirement, and pass the win- ter in a state more or less approaching, in the dif- ferent species, to complete torpidity. It may be added, that some serpents are viviparous, as, the Rattle-Snake, the Viper, and many others of the poisonous kind, while the Common Snake, and probably the major part of the innoxious serpents, are Oviparous, depositing their eggs in a kind of string or chain in any warm and close situation, where they are afterwards hatched. | The broad undivided laminz or scaly plates on the bellies of Serpents are termed scuéa, and the smaller or divided plates beneath the tail are called squame subcaudales, or subcaudal scales, and from these different kinds of lamine the Linnean ge- nera of Serpents are chiefly instituted. Er tae ‘i oe 8&5 BANDED RATTLE SNAKE. \ \\, SS SSS EB a XS y i YW . : NN J ~ FS’ : \ \ \ \ ) ae ae < = —~ “~ a be SAE NE en Vet Nite = SEND Ae XS SERS SWE >) A, pe ne - 4 SAT EP GE SEE a MOL) IEA A ¢ REE A SIS SeS 2 AY Vat > x A Pe > ESA Rene Bs pt Z sa — =< cs Ws = \ = =~ ~ ~ ~ Va SINS , aN 2 : ~ = et Ca ape S—~ 2 fe FAS BS 3 A ~~ Ua. SRSA Se CAB Mutlow Se Tagcell Ca¥ ~ 2 317 | ~ CROTALUS. RATTLE-SNAKE. Generic Character. Scuta abdominalia. Scuta on the abdomen. Scuta Squameque subcaudales. || Scuta and Squama beneath the Crepitaculumterminale caudz. || Rattle terminating the tail. - a BANDED RATTLE-SNAKE. Crotalus Horridus. C. Se con, fasciis transversis nigri- cantibus. Yellowish-brown Rattle-Snake, with blackish transverse bands, Crotalus horridus. Len. Syst. Nat. p. 372. Vipera caudisona Americana. Catesb. Car, 2. ¢. 41. Abdominal scuta 167, subcaudal 23. ‘Tue genus Crotalus, or Rattle-Snake, affords the most signal examples of the powerfully de- structive poison with which some of the serpent tribe are furnished; instances having frequently occurred in which the bite of these snakes has proved fatal to mankind in the space even of a very few minutes. Till the discovery of the Western Hemisphere _ the knowledge of these serpents was concealed from the rest of the world, and philosophers then first beheld with amazement a reptile of the most 318 BANDED RATTLE-SNAKE. fatal nature, furnished, as if by a peculiar institu- tion of Providence, with an instrument capable, in general, of warning mankind of their Senger in too near an approach, The different species of Rattle-Snakes seem 1 to have been generally confounded with each other; and even Catesby, who travelled in those parts of North America where it is found, seems to have been unacquainted with one of the most remark- able species, and to have particularly described the Banded Rattle-Snake only, which he has also figured with sufficient clearness to prevent. its being confounded with any other kind, though not with that minute attention to all the particu- Jars which the more improved state of Natural History at present demands. i tos dt This species is found, in general, from three to four or five feet in length, and is of a yellowish brown colour, marked throughout its whole length with several transverse and somewhat irregular fascie of deep brown, and from the head to some distance down the neck run two or three longitu- dinal stripes of the same colour; the head is large, flat, and covered with small scales; the rest of the upper parts with moderately large oval ones, all strongly carinated or furnished with a prominent line down the middle: the under parts are ofa dingy yellowish brown colour, marked here and there with numerous dusky variegations and freckles: at the extremity of the tail is situated the rattle, consisting of several hard, dry, horny processes, the peculiar structure of which will be BANDED RATTLE-SNAKE. 319° more amply described hereafter, and which, on the least disturbance or irritation, is elevated and shaken in such a manner as to cause a strong or brisk rattling sound. | ‘‘ The largest Rattle- Snake,” says cnany, ‘‘ which I ever saw, was about eight feet in length, and weighing between eight and nine pounds. This monster was sliding into the house of Colonel Blake of Carolina, and had certainly taken up his abode there undisturbed, had not the domestic animals alarmed the family with their repeated outcries: the hogs*, dogs, and poultry, united in their hatred to him, shewing the greatest consternation, by erecting their bristles and fea- thers, and expressing their wrath and indignation, surrounded him, but carefully kept their distance; while he, regardless of their threats, glided slowly along.” ‘‘It is not uncommon,” adds Mr. Ca- tesby, ‘‘ to have them come into houses; a very extraordinary instance of which happened to my- ‘self in the same gentleman’s house, in the month of February, 1723; the servant in making the bed in a ground room (but few minutes after I left it) on turning down the sheets, discovered a rattle-snake coiled between the sheets in the “middle of the bed.” ‘‘ They are the most inac- tive and slow moving snake,” adds this author, ‘of all others, and are never the aggressors, ex- * Hogs, however, are, in general, said to be so little afraid of the rattle-snake, that they prey on it occasionally with great “eagerness ; seizing it in such a manner as to aia ent it Phe doing them any injury, and devouring it. 320 BANDED RATTLE-SNAKE. cept in what they prey upon; for unless they are disturbed they will not bite, and when provoked they give warning by shaking their rattles. These are commonly believed to be the most deadly ser- pent of any in these parts of America. I believe they are so, as being generally the largest, and making a deeper wound, and injecting a greater quantity of poison. ‘The most successful remedy the Indians seem to have, is to suck the wound, which in a slight bite has sometimes a good effect ; though the recovered person never fails of having annual pains* at the time they were bit. They have likewise some roots which they pretend will effect a cure, particularly a kind of Asarum, commonly called Heart-Snake-Root, a kind of Chrysanthemum, called St. Anthony’s Cross, and some others: but that which they rely on the most, and which most of the Virginian and Caro- lina Indians carry dry in their pockets, 1s a small tuberous root, which they procure from the re- mote parts of the country. This they chew, and swallow the juice, applying some to the wound. Having, by travelling much with the Indians, had frequent opportunities of seeing the direful effects of the bites of these snakes, it always seemed and was apparent to me, that the good effect usu- ally attributed to these their remedies, is owing more to the force of Nature, or the slightness of the bite of a small snake in a muscular part, &c. _ * This may perhaps be considered as doubtful, or may depend on other circumstances than the bite of the Rattle-Snake, ! BANDED RATTLE-SNAKE. $21 The person thus bitten I have known to survive without any assistance for many hours; but where a Rattle-Snake with full force penetrates with his deadly fangs, and pricks a vein or an artery, in- evitable death ensues, and that, as I have often seen, in less than two minutes. The Indians know their destiny the minute they are bit, and when they perceive it mortal, apply no remedy ; concluding all efforts in vain: if the bite happen- eth in a fleshy part, they immediately cut it, to — stop the current of the poison.” ‘¢ The colour of the head of this Rattle-Snake is brown, the eye red, the upper part of the body of a brownish yellow, transversly marked with ir- regular broad black lists. The rattle is usually of a brown colour, composed of several horny membranous cells, of an undulated pyramidal figure, which are articulated one within another, so that the point of the first cell reaches as far as the basis or protuberant ring of the third, and so on; which articulation being very loose, gives liberty to the parts of the cells that are inclosed within the outward rings, to strike against, the sides of them, and so to cause the rattling noise which is heard when the snake shakes its tail.” ‘‘ The charming, as it is commonly called, or attractive power this snake is said to have, of drawing to it small animals, and devouring them, is generally believed in America; as for my own part I never saw the action, but a great many from whom I had it related, all agree in the man- ner of the process; which is, that the animals, $22, BANDED RATTLE-SNAKE. particularly birds and squirrels (which principally are their prey), no sooner spy the snake, than they skip from spray to spray, hovering and approach- ing gradually nearer to their enemy, regardless of any other danger; but with distracted gestures and outcries, descend, though from the top of the loftiest trees, to the mouth of the snake, who openeth his Jaws, takes them in, and in an _— swallows them.” : :' On this subject Dr. Mead, in his work on pot- sons, expresses himself as follows: | “¢ With respect to the use of the Rattle, a ‘ele gar error has obtained, even among the learned, about it. It is commonly said that it is a kind contrivance of divine Providence, to give warn- ing. to passengers by the noise which this part makes when the creature moves, to keep out of the way of its mischief. Now this is a mistake. It is beyond all dispute that wisdom and goodness shine forth in all the works of the Creation; but the contrivance here is of another kind than is imagined. All the parts of animals are made either for the preservation of the individual, or for the propagation of its species: this before us is for the service of the individual. This snake lives chiefly upon squirrels and birds, which a reptile can never catch without the advantage of some management to bring them within its reach. The way is this. The Snake creeps to the foot of a tree, and, by shaking his rattle, awakens the little creatures which are lodged in it. ‘They are so frighted at the sight of their enemy, who fixes his BANDED RATTLE-SNAKE. 393 lively piercing eyes upon one or other of them, that they have no power to get away, but leap about, from bough to bough, till they are quite tired, and at last, falling to the ground, they are snapped into his mouth. This is by the people of the country called charming the squirrels and birds.” } Dr. Barton, professor of natural history in the University of Pensylvania, in a memoir on the sup- posed fascinating power of the Rattle-Snake, ima- gies the whole to be no more than the fluttering | of old birds in defence of their young, and which are themselves occasionally caught by the Rattle- Snake in consequence of too near an approach. ~ “Of the fascinating power of the Rattle- Snake,” says Mr. Pennant *, ‘it is difficult to speak: authors of credit describe the effects. Birds have been seen to drop into its mouth, ‘squirrels descend from their trees, and leverets run into its jaws. ‘Terror and amazement seem to ‘lay hold on these little animals: they make vio- lent efforts to get away, still keeping their eyes ‘fixed on those of the snake; at length, wearied ‘with their movements, and frightened out of all capacity of knowing the course they ought to take, become at length the prey of the expecting devourer; probably in their last convulsive mo- tion.” The same author observes, that Rattle- Snakes in general swarm in the less inhabited “parts of North America; but are now almost ex- _ ™ Arct. Zool. suppl. 88. 324 ° BANDED RATTLE-SNAKE. tirpated in the more populous parts. None are found farther north than the mountains near lake Champlain; but infest South America, even as far as Brasil. They love woods and ‘lofty hills, espe- cially where the strata are rocky or chalky: the pass near Niagara abounds with them. Being slow of motion, they frequent the sides of rills, to make prey of frogs, or such animals as resort there to quench their thirst: are generally found during summer in pairs; in winter collecting in multitudes, and retiring under ground, beyond the reach of frost: tempted by the warmth of a spring day, they are often observed to creep out weak and languid: a person has seen a piece of ground covered with them, and killed with a rod between sixty and seventy; till overpowered with the stench, he was obliged to retire *. The Rattle-Snake is a viviparous animal; pro- ducing its young in the month of June, generally about twelve in number; and which by Septem- ber acquire the length of twelve inches. [t.is said to practise the same extraordinary mode of preserving its young from danger which is attri- buted to the Viper in Europe, viz. of receiving them into its mouth and swallowing them. Of this we have the attestation of M. de Beauvois f, who declares himself an eye-witness of the process. This gentleman saw a large Rattle-Snake, which he happened to disturb in his walks, and which immediately coiled itself up, opened its jaws, and * Arct, Zool. suppl. p. 88. + American Phil. Trans, vol. iv. BANDED RATTLE-SNAKE. - 325 instantly five small ones, which were lying by it, rushed into its mouth. The author retired and watched the snake, and in a quarter of an hour saw her again discharge them. He then ap- proached it a second time, when the young re- tired into its mouth with greater celerity than before, and the snake immediately moved off among the grass and escaped. This happened at a place called Pine-Log, where M. de Beauvois staid some time with the Indians during an illness with which he was seized. _M. de Beauvois adds, that in winter the Rattle-Snake retires into deep mossy loose soils beneath trees, &c. as well as in holes under ground. From experiments made in Carolina by Captain Hall, and related in the Philosophical Transactions, it appears that a Rattle-Snake of about four feet long, bemg fastened to a stake fixed in the ground, bit three dogs, the first of which died in less than a quarter of a minute: the second, which was bitten a short time afterwards, in about two hours, in convulsions; and the third, which was bitten about half an hour afterwards, shewed the visible effects of the poison in about three hours, and died likewise. Four days after this, another dog was bitten, which died in half a minute, and then another, which died in four minutes. A cat which was bitten was found dead the next day. Eight days after this a frog was bitten, which died in two minutes, and a chicken of three months old in three minutes. The expe- riments having been discontinued some time for. a 596 BANDED RATTLE-SNAKE. want of subjects, a common black snake was pro=. cured, which was healthy and vigorous, and about: three feet long. It was brought to the Rattle- Snake, when they bit each other, the black snake biting the Rattle-Snake so as to make it bleed. They were then separated, and in less than eight minutes the black snake died; while the Rattle- Snake, on the contrary, shewed no signs of indispo- sition, appearing as well as before. Lastly, in order to try whether the Rattle-Snake could poison. itself; it was provoked to bite itself. The experiment suc- ceeded, and the animal expired in less than twelve: minutes. He According to experiments made by Mr. Moat maer at shes Hague, with a lively young Rattle-. Snake which he received from Surinam, small birds, such as Sparrows, Greenfinches, &c.: died sometimes in four, sometimes in ten, and some-. times in twenty minutes after having been reeks and a mouse in a minute and half. | | The anatomy of the Rattle-Snake is atelead with much exactness by Dr. Tyson in the Philo- sophical Transactions; and it appears that its in- ternal structure in almost all respects resembles that of the Viper. The chief sees: the following: vole aithe inde -pipe, as in the Viper, as soon as. it enters the lungs, consists of semi-annular carti- lages, which, being joined at both ends to the membrane of the. lungs, constitute a free or open channel, thus immediately transmitting the air to. the vesicles of those organs, which are of very-_ BANDED RATTLE-SNAKE. | OF great length, beginning near the throat, and run- ning down three feet in length: the upper part of them, for the distance of about a foot from their origin, is composed of small vesicule or cells, as in the lungs of a Frog; and which, from the fre- quent branchings of the blood-vessels, appear of a florid red: this part tapers, proportionally to the body: the lowest part of it, near the heart, being moderately blown, is about five inches and a half in circumference: a little lower, for the space of about four inches, the cells gradually disappear, so that they seem at last to form only a reticular compages of valvule conniventes on the inside of the membrane of the lungs: the greatest circum- ference here is about six inches: the remaining part of the organ is merely a large bladder, with- out any cellular subdivisions, and consists of a strong, transparent membrane, the circumfer-. ence of which, when inflated, is about eight inches and a half. The lungs in the Water-Newt, and some other animals, are divided into two large lobes or simple bladders, without cellular subdivi-: sions; in the frog, crocodile, &c. of two large lobes with cellular subdivisions; while in the Rattle-Snake, Viper, &c. both these kinds of structure are comprised; the fore part of the or- gan being filled with numerous internal vesicular subdivisions, while the remaining part is a mere. lengthened bladder. The csophagus or gullet was two feet three inches in length, and marked by two distinct swellings or enlargements of very great size, so. 328 BANDED RATTLE-SNAKE. * as to represent two preparatory stomachs, as it” were; nor was the real or proper stomach capable’. of so much distension as these: the length of the’ true stomach or third enlargement was nearly similar to that of the second enlargement of the cesophagus ; it was much thicker than that. party. and resembled in its fabric that of the Viper. From the pylorus the duct straitened again for’ about half an inch, and then formed a large’ intestine, the weaved ruge of its internal coat’ presenting a curious and pleasing spectacle: this intestine, after some small windings, termi-" nated in the rectum, which was of much smaller’ diameter. ‘In the promiscuous food which ser- pents take in (adds Dr. Tyson), which they al- ways swallow whole, and in which there are always some parts unfit for digestion, and which must,” therefore, be returned, the cesophagus here being’ very long, Nature has provided the above-men- | tioned swellings or enlargements of that party where they may be respited, during the efforts made use of by the animal for that purpose, till ‘ collecting its force, it gives them, as it were; another and another lift, and at length ejects them; and if what is confidently affirmed be true,” that, on occasion of danger, they receive their. young into their mouths, these are fit area for — receiving them.” ' 7 The beast was diab near the bottom or rere = of the trachea, on the right side of it: its length . was an inch and a half, and its figure rather flat: than round; encompassed with a pericardium BANDED RATTLE-SNAKE.. 3929 the auricle being larger than the heart itself. It had only one ventricle, the valves being small and fleshy, and the inside of the ventricle distin- guished by four or five cross furrows. A little below the heart lay the liver, which was about an inch wide in the largest place, and seemed divided on one side by the vena cava into two lobes of unequal length; that on the left side being about ten inches, and that on the right a foot long. Its colour was a brown red, and its use, no doubt, the secreting of the gall, which was contained in a bladder, seated at some distance below it. | The fat in this animal was very plentiful, and the membrane to which it adhered seemed to be the omentum, which encompassed all the parts contained in the lower belly, and was joined to both sides of the ribs, running from thence to the rectum, and forming a bag which enveloped the parts there, but was free, and not conjoined to- wards the belly: there was no diaphragm or sepa- ration between the heart and lungs and the abdo- minal viscera. The kidneys, which lay towards the back, on each side of the spine, were not very firmly con- jomed, and were about seven inches in length; that on the right side somewhat exceeding that of the left: each were about an inch in diameter, and though forming one continued body, yet plainly distinguishable into several smaller kid- neys, to the number of fifteen; all so curiously contrived, with such an elegant .compages of wom. PL 11. - 22 330. BANDED RATTLE-SNAKE.’ blood-vessels and tubes, as to compose so many re- gularly-formed bodies, which could not be viewed without admiration. | The tongue was in all respects like that ian a Viper, being composed of two long and round bodies, contiguous, and joined together from the root to half its length: this part may be darted out or retracted with great agility by the animal, the part which is thrown out being of a black co= lour, while the remainder or sheathed portion is red. : 1 eu - The teeth are of two sorts, viz. the smaller, which are seated in each jaw, and serve for the catching and retaining the food; and, secondly, the fangs or poisonous teeth, which kill the prey, and are placed without the upper jaw, and are all canini or apprehensores; for since snakes do not chew or bruise their food, but swallow it whole, they have no need of molares or grinders. Of the first. sort of teeth are two rows on each side, viz. five in a row, the inward less than the — outward, there being twenty in all. In the upper jaw there are only sixteen, viz. five on each side, placed backward, and six before. These do no harm, which was known of old to mountebanks,. who, to give a proof of the efficacy of their anti-. dotes, would suffer themselves to be bitten by Vipers, but first took care to spoil them of their fangs. eth: ails The fangs are placed without the upper jaws,’ towards the fore part of the mouth, not fastened: to the maxilla, as the other teeth, but the two BANDED RATTLE-SNAKE. 331 outmost and largest fangs were fixed to that bone which (if any) may be thought to be the ear- bone: the other fangs, or smaller ones, seemed hot fixed to any bone, but rather to muscles and tendons. The fangs were not to he perceived on first opening the mouth, lying couched under a strong membrane or sheath; but so as to makea large rising there on the outside of the smaller teeth of the maxilla; but at pleasure, when alive, the animal can raise them to do execution with, as a cat or lion does its claws. These fangs were hooked and bent, like the tusks of the Baby- roussa, but some of the smaller ones were bent at right angles: on each side we meet with about six or seven of these. In all these teeth was a pretty laree foramen or hole towards the root of it, and towards the point was a plainly visible large slit, sloping like the cut of a pen; the part from the slit being perfectly hollow ; and on press- ing gently with the finger on the side of the gum, the poison, which was of a yellowish colour, was readily perceived to issue from the hollow of the tooth through the slit. , The vertebra, according to the figure of the body, were smallest towards both extremes, and largest in the middle. From the neck to the vent there were as many vertebre as scales on the belly,’ viz. 168; but from the vent to the setting on of. the rattle were twenty-nine more in number than’ the scales. | . ~ The rattle is well described by Dr. Grew, who — 332 BANDED RATTLE-SNAKE. observes that it consists of hollow, hard, dry, and semitransparent bones, nearly of the same. size and figure; resembling in some degree the shape of the human os sacrum; for although only the last or terminal one seems to have a rigid epiphysis joined to it, yet have every one of them the like ; so that the tip of every uppermost bone runs within two of the bones below it; by which ar- _ tifice they have not only a moveable coherence, but also make a more multiplied sound: each bone hitting against two others at the same time. The rattle is placed with the broad part perpen- dicular to the body, and not horizontal; and the. first joint 1s fastened to the last vertebra of the tail by means of a thick muscle under it, as well as by the membranes which unite it to the skin: all the remaining joints are so many extraneous bodies, as it were, or perfectly unconnected to the tail by any other means than their curious inser- tions into each other. The number of joints in the rattle of diene individuals is very various, from five to twelve, fifteen, twenty, or even, according to some ac- counts, as many as forty. The pieces of which it consists are successively formed, each having been once attached to the muscle of the last ver- tebra of the tail, and driven on by the gradual for- mation of a young or immature one beneath it; but as it is not known whether these successive formations of new joints in the rattle correspond with the general changes of the skin, and as the NAKE . S RATTLE STRIPED EOD. 2802 Janlzlowion Lublifid by GLearsley Leet Street . STRIPED RATTLE-SNAKE. 35S part is also liable from its nature to occasional mutilations, it cannot be considered as a igh test of the animal’s age. The length of the individual dissected by Dr. Tyson, was four feet five inches ; the girth of the body in the largest part six cents and a half; that of the ‘neck three inches, and of the extre- mity of the tail, near the rattle, two inches. | From: his description of its colour, it should rather seem to have been the Crotalus Durissus or next” species, than the present, since he tells us | the scales on the back made a curious chequer or -dappling by the intermixture of its colours. The number of abdominal scuta was 168. Beyond the vent were two half-scales, and thence nine- e teen scuta or whole scales; while from thence to Fe the rattle itself were six orders or rows of smaller scales. a ' STRIPED RATTLE-SNAKE, - Cortalus Durissus. C. fuscus, striis rhombeatis subflacis. - Brown Rattle-Snake, with yellowish rhomboid stripes. ‘Crotalus Durissus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 372. _ Abdominal scuta 172, subcaudal 21. Tuts species may, in general, be readily distin- ~ guished from the former by the different disposi- tion of its colours, being of a deep brown above, with a very regularly Uoriducted pattern of pale- yellow streaks, so disposed as to form a continued series of large rhombs or lozenges down the back, 334: STRIPED RATTLE-SNAKE. the stripes growing somewhat less distinct as they descend on. the sides, where they are continued into a less perfect repetition of the dorsal pattern: the neck is marked by a longitudinal streak on each side, and the under parts of the body re- semble in colour those of the former species, being of a dusky yellowish brown, with “humerous Ses dark spots and patches. The size and general proportions of the animal resemble those of the former, with which indeed it appears to have been very frequently confounded. It is also a native of the same parts of America, but seems to have been unknown to Catesby, who has not intro- duced it into his History of Carolina. Its bite, so far as can be ascertained by experiments made with such specimens as have been transported into L{urope, appears to be equally fatal * why that of the former species. bs, * In the spring of the present year a Rattle-Snake of this spe- | cies, which had been kept many months in confinement, bit a healthy half-grown Rabbet, which was placed in its cage, onthe loins: the Rabbet instantly fell down; became quite paralytic _ in the hind limbs, and soon afterwards in the fore also, and died — in the space of twenty- -five minutes} from the bite, without any ef convulsive motions. : + According to the observations of Sir Thomas Cullum, bart. in whose presence ay the experiment was made. se IC. STRIPED RATTLE -SNAKE. VOT L NY Mig,/7 Hh, ANS if Ye tify S He ea AIA HORE 1 ae \ LEY 155i itp I ae) Wits fr = SS S55 sf! LG) Uf, Hy Lf et SS, RELATE SESE Fei os SS = ———-> ss SSS SSS Ss y Byiehy LY a Y Y A oN Yi WW LEE ea Wit iG WM (44 ill stulp . : trom Vosmacr. 2601 Jani: London Publifnd by 6 Kearsley Fleet Street. Wy ae Ay. aa A J Ai; Woonbd RATTLE-SNAKE. 335 WOOD RATTLE-SNAKE, | - Crotalus Dryinas. C. griseus, subluteo variatus. Greyish Rattle-Snake, with yellowish variegations. Crotalus Dryinas. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 372. Vipera caudisona Ceilanica. ‘Seb. 2. ¢. 95. f. 3. Vipera Orientalis maxima caudisona. Seb. 2. t. 96. fa 1s Abdominal scuta 165, subcaudal 30. 6 A GENUINE description oe the particular colour of this species, in a living state, seems yet want- ing; authors having described it from specimens preserved in spirits, in which, after a certain pe- riod, the colours of most serpents are greatly changed and faded. It is said, however, to be of a paler or lighter tinge than the two former spe- cies, and to be price with yellowish marks on the back: some jheivitoals figured by Seba, and which are generally referred to this animal, are of a rufous or ferruginous tinge, with a cast of yellow accompanied by a few dusky variega- tions on the upper parts: the rattle is, in these specimens, of much greater length than is usually seen in the preceding kinds, the number in one of them amounting to no less than forty. Seba ima- gined his specimens to have been natives of Cey- lon, and therefore distinguishes them by the title of Oriental Rattle-Snakes; but it is generally sup- posed that this is a mistaken idea, and that the whole genus is confined to the American conti- nent. 336 MILIARY RATTLE-SNAKE. Crotalus Miliarius. C. cinereus, maculis nigris triplict ordine longitudinali, macula rubra inter singulas dorsales. Grey Rattle-Snake, with a triple row of black spots, and a red spot between each of the dorsal ones. Crotalus Miliarius. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 572. Small Rattle-Snake. Catesb. Car. 2. pl. 42. Abdominal scuta 132, subcaudal 32. My. Caressy, the first describer of this animal, seems to entertain some doubts whether it really differs from the common rattle-snake, in any other respect than in colour, its prevailing tinge being grey-brown, shaded on the back with red, and marked by large black spots with white indented edges. It appears, however, to be a truly distinct species, differing not only in colour but in the smaller number of its abdominal scuta: ‘there are generally three rows of black dorsal spots, of which the middle range is the largest, and is dis- tinguished by a red spot interposed between each of the black ones, which are also commonly tinged with red on the middle: this is the smallest species of Rattle-Snake yet known, rarely ex- ceeding the length of two feet. In its general habits it resembles the preceding kinds, oS 337 BOA. BOA. | Generic Character. Scuta abdominalia & sub- || Scuta or undivided plates both ~ caudalia, on the abdomen and be-~ 3 : neath the tail. ae CONSTRICTOR BOA. Boa Constrictor. B. griseo-flavescens, catena dorsali castanea, - maculis lateralibus subtrigonis, : Yellowish-grey Boa, with large chesnut-coloured chain-like pattern down the back, and subtrigonal spots on the sides. Boa Constrictor. Lin, Syst. Nat. p. 373. Serpens Ceilonica spadicea. Manballa dicta. Seb. 2. t. 99. f. 1. Serpens excellens ac speciosa Brasiliensis. Ib. ¢. 99. f. 2. Serpens blanda Ceilonica Polonga dicta. 6, ¢. 101. - Serpens Americana arborea. Seb. 1. t. 53. Le Devin. Cepede ovip. 2. p. 338. Boa Constrictor. Great Boa. »Nat. Misc. vol. 2. pl. 51. Abdominal scuta 240, subcaudal 60. Tue genus Boa is remarkable for the vast and almost unlimited size of some of the principal spe- cies, which in India, Africa, and South America, _are occasionally found of not less than twenty, thirty, and even thirty-five feet in length, and of a strength so prodigious as to be able to destroy 338 CONSTRICTOR BOA. cattle, deer, &c. by twisting around them im such a manner as to crush them to death by continued pressure *, after which they swallow them in a very gradual manner ; and when thus gorged with | their prey, become almost torpid with repletion, _and if discovered in this state, may without much difficulty be destroyed by shooting or other me- thods. There is reason to suppose that these gi- gantic serpents are become Jess common now than some centuries backwards, and that in proportion as cultivation and population have increased, the larger species of noxious animals have been ex- * This practice of the larger serpents seems to have been well known to the ancients: thus Lucan, speaking of the monstrous African snakes, (which he also represents as furnished with wings), tells us they destroy’ Oxen, and even Elephants, by writhing around and crushing them to death. ‘6 Vos quoque, qui cunctis innoxia numina terris Serpitis, aurato nitidi fulgore Dracones, Pestiferos ardens facit Africa, ducitis altum _Aera cum pennis, armentaque tota secuti Rumpitis ingentes amplexi verbere tauros. - Nec tutus spatio est Elephas: datis omnia Icto: Nec vobis opus est ad noxia fata veneno.”’ . Ye too, in other climes who harmless rove "In gilded scales, the guardians of the grove, - In horrid Afric’s pestilential air Acquire new natures from the burning glare: Ride thro’ the blaze of noon on sable wing, ' .. .,. Quick on th’ affrighted herds with fury springs _ And gathering all your folds in writhings dire, Bid the huge Ox beneath your crush expire: Th’ enormous Elephant by force can slay, And need no poison to secure your prey. The tale of Laocoon in Virgil might be also adduced as an example of this particular. : P os oe Sooke ae ert | A SCREE Fa ~ . = ie ae rae i <= — S = 4 =z ——: y SSS \ - Lill SUGO . Lor Jan tLondon I “bly hd by Ghearstev Fleet Sucee . EMBROIDERED BOA. 349 places divine honours are paid to it. In the Le- verian Museum are fine specimens of this snake, one of which appears to have swallowed some spe- cies of Oppossum of about the size of a common rat, the head of which is purposely drawn out from an opening made in the abdomen. In the Museum of the late Dr. William Hunter is also a very beautiful specimen. As this species can never be mistaken for any other yet known, it is the less’ necessary to particularize the exact number of its abdominal and subcaudal scuta, which, in speci- mens preserved in covered glasses, 1s not very easy to investigate: the only circumstance in which it appears to vary is in the intensity of colour in the embroidered pattern, which in some is black, and in others deep chesnut. - VAR. ? Sepa describes and figures two snakes which appear to me to be varieties of this species: one of a purplish-ferruginous, the other of a yellow-fer- ruginous colour: the abdomen in the former pale purple, in the latter yellowish white: the general variegations the same as in the first described kind : the purplish variety is said to be from Japan, the other from New Spain. See Seba, vol. 2. pl. 79 and 80. Yet, if we may trust to the accuracy of the engraving, they should seem rathcr co belong to the genus Coluber, the tails in both being re- presented with divided squame; but this may perhaps be an inaccuracy on the part of the artist. 350 GARDEN BOA. Boa Hortulana. B. griseo-flavescens fusco variegata, capite lim- bato, corpore subcompresso, maculis lateralibus cuneiformibus, Yellowish-grey Boa, with brown variegations; those on the head resembling lace: the body subcompressed, and the — sides marked by wedge-shaped spots. Boa Hortulana. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 274, Mus. Ad. Frid, p. 370 Abdominal scuta 290, subcaudal 123. TuIs very elegant serpent, which is of moderate size, measuring only a few feet in length, and being of a slender form, has obtained its Linnean title from the singular pattern of the variegations on the head, which are of a blackish brown on a pale ferruginous or yellowish ground, and in some degree represent the form of a parterre in an old- fashioned garden: the variegations on the body are of similar colour, and are disposed into large circular, and sometimes angular patches on the sides, the centres of some being open, and of others marked by an oblong spot: besides these are interspersed others of smaller size and of different forms: the abdomen is commonly yellowish, with dusky specks and patches: the ground-colour of the whole snake is sometimes pale violet, and the variegations dark purplish brown, but in all its va- rieties this species may be easily distinguished by the rich embroidered appearance of the pattern, © and more par ticularly by that on the top of the head: the head is also rather broader, and the neck more slender in proportion than in most other Bow, the body slightly compressed, and the vay lwg7 Z sf “JIM L JO) J MYSLVEATT DAG POYULY QUI UCpue 7 I6 RAT BOA. 351 tail slender. It is a native of South America. Seba figures what appears to be a variety of this species, of a sea-green colour above, with deep chesnut variegations, and pale yellow beneath, with reddish spots. | It is remarkable that Linneus, in the Museum Adolphi Friderici, appears to describe the Boa hortulana as a species of Coluber, having the habit or general aspect of a Boa. RAT BOA. Boa Murina. 8B. grisea maculis rotundatis nigris, lateralibus al- _ bido-ocellatis. Grey Boa, with round black spots, those on the sides ocellated with white. Boa murina. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 274. Serpens testudinea Americana, murium insidiator. » Seb. 1. t. 29, Abdominal scuta 254, subcaudal 65. Tuts is a middle-sized species, measuring about two feet and a half or three feet in length, and being of a moderately thick form: the colour of the whole upper part is grey or blueish-brown, with several moderately large round black spots dispersed in a somewhat irregular manner along the back and sides; those on the sides being marked with a. white patch, so as to appear ocel- lated: some smaller spots of different forms are also interspersed: the abdomen is of a yellowish white or pale colour, with a few scattered dusky spots: the head is marked on each side by two 352 7 CROTALINE BOA. - longitudinal black stripes: this species is said to feed principally on rats, and to be found in South America. CROTALINE BOA. Boa maculis nigris rhombeatis dorsalibus, cauda eta serie qua- druplict sguamarum terminata, Boa with black rhomboid dorsal spots, ae tail terminated be- neath by four rows of scales. Crotalus mutus. Lin, Syst. Nat. p. 373. Tuts snake Linneus was induced to place in the genus Crotalus, from its habit, and from a certain peculiar disposition of the scales at the tip of ‘the tail, which are distributed inte four series, seeming as it were to supply the place of the rattle in the genuine Crotali; but since the particular organ itself, which so strikingly distin- guishes those serpents, is wanting, it, of course, cannot properly belong to the same genus: it is a native of Surinam, and is a large species, marked on the back by a chain of “iach thomboid spots, and is furnished with very large and strong fangs. i ny sta ie ae, FASCIATED BOA. U HY UN al i] se + i i MEN YY | 7 Aish ay 1 | 4 if Hi My) i) 1 BCX Awe 2S Te, SSAA a Me ih | , Se ath (ay i WY SEsy = Z ia SSeS pees Se . i _—<— I Se ee sculp. ley Llect Street » CATS od a RSS x > = N iS N s N N x cS N B58 FASCIATED BOA. Boa Fasciata. B. flava, corpore subtriquetro ceruleo annulato, Yellow Boa, with subtriangular body annulated with biue. Bungarum Pamah. Russ. Ind. Serp. p. 3. pl. 3. Abdominal scuta 233, subcaudal 36. Ir is to Dr. Patrick Russel that we owe the knowledge of this remarkable species, which is a native of India, and is said to be most frequent in the country of Bengal. It is of a yellow co- lour, marked with pretty numerous dusky-blue transverse bands, continued, at equal distances, throughout the whole length of the animal, each band completely investing or surrounding the body, but being rather paler beneath than above: the head is rather small than large, and covered in front with large scales: the body is of a trigonal form, the sides sloping very considerably: along the ridge of the back runs a continued series of hexagonal scales, those on the rest of the body being of the usual subovate form: the scuta or lamella of the under’ parts are very broad, and finely ciliated on their margins: the length of the whole animal is something more than five feet, the diameter, in the thickest part, being nearly five inches: the length of the tail five inches only, and its termination rather obtuse. _ This snake is among the number of poisonous species, and its bite is considered by the Indians as inevitably fatal. A specimen was brought to Dr. Russel in the month of November, 1788, in S54 FASCIATED BOA. an apparently weak and languid state, having been bruised in taking. Being set at libertyina room, it crept slowly towards an obscure corner, where a chicken being presented to him he took no particular notice of it, and even suffered the bird to stand on his back. As he shewed no diposition to bite, his jaws were forcibly opened, and the thigh of the chicken being placed between them, the mouth was so closed over it as to oblige the fangs to act. The bird, when disengaged, shewed im- mediate symptoms of poison, and after several ineffectual efforts to rise, rested with the beak on the ground, the head being seized with trembling. In the space of twenty minutes it lay down on one side, and convulsions soon supervening, it expired within twenty-six minutes from the bite. This was the only experiment made; the snake itself dying m the course of. the next day ; but from the languid state in which it appeared, and the effect of its bite on the chicken, it may be concluded that, when in full vigour, it must be an animal of a highly dangerous nature. Dr. Russel observes, that the fangs are very short for the size of the snake, and that two are visible on each side. uh aml eh iy E BOA. ERIN VIP Leath scudp. Cel. Si sley lect 1601 Jani London Publishad by 6 Tear 3535 VIPERINE BOA. Boa Viperina. B. grisea, fascia dorsal undulata nigra albido marginata, lateribus nigro maculatis. Grey Boa, with black undulating dorsal band edged with white, and sides spotted with black. Padain Cootoo. Russ, Ind. Serp. p. 5. t. 4. Abdominal scuta 209, subcaudal 19. Tuts also is an Indian species, first described in the work of Dr. Russel. It is about a foot and half in length, and of a moderately deep brown colour, the back being marked throughout the whole length by a broad undulating black band, with a narrow yellowish white margin, while along the sides runs a row of somewhat irregular round- ish black spots: the under part of the animal is of a pearl-colour. The head is hardly broader than the neck, oblong, roundish, depressed, subtrun- cate, and covered with small scales: the teeth are small and numerous, and as there is a marginal row in the upper jaw, there are of course no fangs: the trunk or body is round, of nearly equal thick- “ness; and coated with small, orbicular, close-set, carinated scales: the tail is only an inch and half in length, and is thick, tapering to a sharp point: the vent is longitudinal: and the scuta very short, scarce extending from side to side more than a. third part of the diameter of the abdomen. This snake, Dr. Russel informs us, is said to produce by its bite a slow wasting of the fingers and toes, similar to what happens in some leprous ! 356 LINEATED BOA. cases. A living specimen, however, which he ob- tained in Dec. 1788, from Ganjam, enabled him to make some experiments with it on chickens; but though it arrived to excellent order, and bit fe- rociously, the bite was followed by no symptoms of poison. LINEATED BOA. Boa Lineata. B. atrocerulea lineis transversis arcuatis albo-= punctatis, abdomine albido. Blackish-blue Boa, with white-dotted transverse arcuated lines, and whitish abdomen. Geedi Paragoodoo. Russ. Ind. Ser. p. 1. t. 1. Abdominal scuta 209, subcaudal 47. -) Tue Geedi Paragocdoo is of a slender form, with the general appearance of a Coluber rather than a Boa. It is of an extremely dark blue colour, so as to appear almost black in certain lights, and is marked throughout the whole length of the upper part by several transverse curved and dotted white lines at somewhat unequal distances, and varying in number in different individuals from about forty-two to fifty: they are so disposed as almost to represent so many large spotted circles, if viewed from above: the sides of the body, near the scuta, are dun-coloured, and the whole range of scuta, both abdominal and subcaudal, yellowish- — white: the head is covered with large scales; the body with small ovate ones, and down the back runs a row of hexagonal scales: the tail 1s about LINEATED BOA, S57 three inches and a half long, and tapers to a slen- der point. ‘This snake is not uncommon at Vizagapatam, as well as at Bont, &c. and some young ones were seut to Dr. Russel from Jasulapatam, under the name of Cobra Jfonil. The natives of India, who generally exaggerate the noxious character of their serpents, assert that the bite of this animal produces immediate death. The experiments of Dr. Russel, however, prove that it is seldom fatal to chickens in less than half an hour, and_to dogs in less than an hour and ten minutes. Its poison was also observed to cause less violent convulsions in the animals infected by it than that of the Co- bra de Capello and another highly poisonous In- dian snake called Katuka Rehula Poda; but pro- duced a greater degree of stupor. On the first of August, 1788, a snake of this species was received by Dr. R. from Bimlipatam, after a journey of seven hours, in so languid a state that it was with much difficulty made to bite a chicken on the breast: a little speck of blood was visible on the skin of the chicken, but with- out any mark of the fangs having acted; not- withstanding which, in about twenty-five minutes the bird began to droop, and in a few minutes. more, growing rapidly worse, expired, without any considerable convulsion, in about forty mi- nutes from the bite. At the distance of five days, the same snake was found in high vigour and beauty, having in that interval cast its skin; and a chicken bitten on. 358 LINEATED BOA. the pinion was soon seized with apparent stupor, though it continued to walk; but in ten minutes it was unable to stand, and within a quarter of an hour lay along the ground, as if asleep: in twenty minutes it made several ineffectual efforts to rise; was soon afterwards faintly convulsed, and at the end of the half hour expired. A Geedi Paragoodoo which had been caught at Casem Cottah the day before, was made to bite a large, stout dog on the thigh near the groin: it held fast for more than twenty secbedee! but the fangs seemed to have penetrated no deeper than the skin, there being barely the appearance of blood; and some of the poison was found about the supposed place of puncture. The dog, when first wounded, howled much, but on being set at. liberty, walked about without any symptoms of poison: in ten minutes he drew up the wounded thigh, still continuing on his lees: but im a quar- ter of an hour he couched and howled, and the thigh became more paralytic, though he was still able to raise himself: in twenty-five minutes both thighs were observed to be paralytic: in the course | of the second hour he grew manifestly disordered; became torpid, and lay panting on his side; and at the end of the second hour expired, ‘without any remarkable appearance of convulsions. The part bitten, being examined about four hours after death, was observed to be scarcely swelled or dis- coloured ; a circumstance different from what is commonly observed in the bites of other poisonous serpents. } HORATTA BOA. ? $59 Another dog, of much smaller size, bitten by the same snake, expired in one hour and ten mi- nutes; having for the last ten minutes been af- fected with strong convulsions. In this case about’ a quarter of an hour elapsed before the animal shewed symptoms of being infected; but towards the end of the hour both the hind legs were become paralytic. It appears, therefore, that this species of Boa is of a highly poisonous nature. HORATTA BOA. Boa Horatta. B. atrofusca, fascia utrinque laterali undulata maculisque spinalibus flavis. Dark-brown Boa, with a waving yellow band on each side, and a row of dorsal spots. -Horatta Pam. Russ. Ind. Serp. p. 2. t. 2. Abdominal scuta 150, subcaudal 25. Tus is a small species, measuring only about fifteen inches in length. Its colour is a dark brown, with a row of spots on the ridge of the back, from the neck to the end of the tail, vary- ing a little in size and figure, but all of a dull yel- lowish colour edged with black: along each side runs a conspicuous waving fillet of the same co- leur, and on the head are four remarkable dark spots, the largest of which bears some resemblance tothe shape of a horse-shoe: the scuta are yellowish- white, and all the abdominal ones are marked with three or four dusky spots: the head is rather smali 560 : SIAMESE BOA. than large, and is entirely covered with small ca- rinated scales; the body with somewhat larger. ones: the tail tapers suddenly, and is an inch and half in length. Specimens of different sizes were found to vary very little in colour, still less in spots, and very little in the number of scuta. The fangs or poisoning organs of this snake show it to be noxious; but in what degree could not be ascertained by Dr. Russel, who could not meet with a living subject to make the necessary expe- riments with. It is reported, however, to be one of the most fatal of serpents. a SIAMESE BOA. Boa Hipnale. B. flava, supra maculis magnis irregularibus sub- transversis albis fusco-marginatis fasciata. Yellow Boa, fasciated above by large irregular subtransverse — white spots with brown edges. | Serpens, s. Vipera Siamensis perelegans. Seb. 1. ¢. 34, “Abdominal scuta 179, subcaudal 120. A SMALL species, but very long in proportion to its breadth; the circumference of the body being. scarce more than an inch and half, and the length from two to three feet: the head shaped like that of the Boa canina: the colour of the whole animal _ pale yellow above, with pretty numerous trans- verse broken bars of white, with black or deep brown edges: the abdomen yellow. ‘This species is said to be a native of the East Indies, and parti- cularly of the kingdom of Siam. 361 HOG-NOSED BOA. Boa Contortrix. B. grisea, fusco maculata, corpore crasso brett, naso Simo. Grey Boa, spotted with black, with short thick body, and turned-up nose. Hog-nosed Snake. Catesb. Car. 2. pl. 56. Boa Contortrix. Lin. Syst. Nat, p. 373. Abdominal scuta 150, subcaudal 40. A SMALL species, seldom exceeding the length of about fifteen inches: head large, with the cheeks swelling out like those of vipers; the nose turning up, like that of a hog: body very thick towards the head : colour pale brown, with several large black spots or patches disposed along the back and sides: towards the lower part of the _back the spots form a kind of black bars over that part, the ground-colour between them being: yel- lowish: the abdomen is of a dusky white with small blackish spots. ‘This species is a native of North America, and is of a poisonous nature: it is slow in its motions, and has a malevolent as- ‘pect: the tail is nearly a third of the length of the whole animal. Veit. P. It. oh 362 PALPEBRAL BOA. Boa Palpebrosa. B. Albida, glauco fasciata, palpebris extantibus, Whitish Boa, obscurely fasciated with grey, with prominent eyelids. Schlingende Natter. Merrem Beytr. Zur, Naturg. 2. p, 20, t. 3 Abdominal scuta 112, subcaudal 51, Leneru about fifteen inches: head rather large, - and covered in front with large scales: eyebrows remarkably prominent: body thick in proportion to its length: colour pearly grey above, with ob- scure transverse dusky or blueish undulations: be- neath pale yellow-brown, with a small transverse oval black spot at the edge of every abdominal scu- tum, and a middle range of similar spots from the vent to the end of the tail, the extremity of which, for about the length of half an inch, 1s furnished with divided scales: native country unknown: described by Mr. Merrem. This snake I have arranged among the Boe rather than the Colubri, on account of the vast predominancy of the Scuta over the Squame on the under surface of the tail, 363 ANNULATED BOA. Boa Annulata. B. subferruginea, maculis dorsalibus orbiculatis nigris annulo inclusis, luteralibus reniformebus ocellatis, abdomine Jusco undulato, » Subferruginous Boa, with black orbicular dorsal spots included - in rings, reniform ocellated lateral spots, and abdomen un- dulated with dusky variegations. Mer. Surin. t. 5. Tuts is rather a small species, measuring about two feet in length: the head is rather large, as in the Boa hortulana and Enydris, to which this ani- mal is considerably allied, in its general appear- ance, but the back is marked with moderately large round black spots almost encircled bya nar- row zone of the same colour, including in conse- quence an interior circle of the ground-colour, which is yellow ferruginous: along the sides runs a row of large reniform black spots, accompanied by a small round one between each: the abdomen, _which is cinereous, is variegated by dusky undu- lations and spots in a somewhat transverse di- rection. 4 This species occurs in the Museum: of Dr. William Hunter. The only author who has figured the animal seems to be Madam Merian, who has introduced it as an ornament to her fifth plate of the Surinam Insects: it is, therefore a native of South America. i 364 COLUBER. SNAKE. Generic Character. Scuta abdominalia. Scuta or undivided lamellze Squame subcaudales. under the abdomen. 7 Broad alternate Scales under the tail. Tus is by far the most numerous of all the Linnean genera of Serpents, and the species. differ greatly in size and habit, according to their respective tribes; some, as the Vipers, having large, flattish, and subcordate heads, with rather short than long bodies and tails; while others, as the major part of the harmless serpents, have, in general, small heads, with longer bodies and tails in proportion. In some few species, exclusive of the usual subcaudal scales, are a few scuta or un- divided lamelle, either at the beginning, or towards the tip of the tail. It is to be observed, that in the investigation of this genus the subcaudal seales, though alternate, are reckoned by pairs, so that the number marked under the respective species 1s always to be understood to mean so many pair. ‘ sia f <= . * uy i - . r J ¥ ’ ~ Lae + ‘ ¥ - : 2 LOT. win ny) el \t \y COMMON VIPER . SSS — = SSS FN =Sh = Heath stttdp . Ly NN Sy >», RIS z J EE oS IIL IIPG LOS 7m 1802 Jani: London Publihd by GHiarsliy Llict Sect . 3635 COMMON VIPER. Coluber Berus. C. cinereus, macula capitis biloba; vitta dorsali atra dentato-repanda. Cinereous Viper, with a bilobate spot on the head, and a black flexuous or zigzag band down the back. Coluber Berus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 377. The Viper. Penn. Brit. Zool. 4. p. 25. Vipera, Gesn. Aldrov. Raj. §c. &c. Abdominal scuta 146, subcaudal scales 39; Tue Viper, which appears to be pretty gene- rally disased | over “8 whole ancient continent, island, has been known oun times of remote an- tiquity, though all the particulars relative to its nature and manners are even yet not fully under- stood. It appears to vary considerably in colour, from a pale or yellow-ferruginous to a deep or dull brown, but all these varieties agree in being marked by a continued chain or series of conflu- ent rhomboid blackish spots, which commencing at the back of the head, are continued to the ex- tremity of the tail, growing proportionally wider and more peitiiant as they approach that part, forming a kind of transv ersly barred pattern on its sunhice: : the head 1s broad, somewhat flattened, and bulges out more or less on each side at the back part: the front of the head is blackish, and on the upper part is a large divided and some- what heart-shaped mark, or spot, the obtuse divi- sions of which are directed backwards: the lips are somewhat barred or variegated with black and light grey or whitish, and along each side of the. 366 COMMON VIPER. body runs a row of roundish or rather obscurely subtrigonal dusky spots, continuing to the end of | the tail the scales on the whole upper part of the animal, are carinated: the under surface is of a dusky or blackish colour, with a blueish gloss somewhat resembling that of polished steel: the general length of the Viper is- about a foot and half, or two feet, though some have been seen of much greater length, measuring near three feet : the fangs are situated, as in other poisonous ser- pents, on each side the fore part of the upper jaw, and are generally two in number, with a few smaller ones lying near the principal or large fangs, as if intended by Nature to supply the place of the former when lost either by age or accident. | The Viper has always been considered as the most poisonous of the European serpents, and in- numerable are the cases recorded by medical and _ other writers of the fatality of its bite: yet the instances, in our own island at least, seem to be far less frequent than generally supposed; and though the bite of this animal produces a painful and troublesome swelling, yet it is rarely of any other bad consequence. No doubt the case must. differ, as in the bite of every other poisonous ser- pent, according to the nature of the part bitten, the constitution of the person, the strength and vigour of the animal, the season of the year, &c; &c. and if the bite happens directly on a vein, it may perhaps be productive of the most alarming symptoms, and even sometimes. prove fatal: yet sage COMMON VIPER. 567 Fontana, even in the warm climate of Italy, seems to doubt whether any well-attested instance could be adduced in which the viper had killed any per- son by its bite: but so discordant are the testimo- nies of authors on the subject, that the judgement is necessarily left suspended, not only relative to the effect of the bite, but to the nature of the poi- son itself, and its effect on the animal frame either when injected into the blood, or received into the stomach. ‘The poison of the Viper, according to Dr. Mead, and his associates in the experiment, is, ‘‘ when diluted with a little warm water, very sharp: and fiery when tasted with the tip of the tongue, as if the tongue had been struck through with something scalding or burning: this sensa- tion went off in two or three hours; and one gen- tleman, who would not be satisfied without trying a large drop undiluted, found his tongue swelled, with a little inflammation; and the soreness lasted two days.” On the contrary, the Abbé Fontana and some others describe it as of no particular acrimony of taste, but rather resembling oil or gum; and Dr. Russel, in his work on Indian Ser- pents, affirms the same even of the poison of the Cobra de Capello. Nearly equal contradictions take place relative to the effect of the viperine poison taken into the stomach; Boerhaave quot- ing the well-known case of Jacob Sozzi, who at the court of the Duke of Tuscany is said to have swallowed three drams of this poison without ex- periencing any ill effect; while Fontana, on the 368 COMMON VIPER: contrary, affirms, that this cannot be done with impunity, though it may not produce symptoms like those of the bite. Some of the older writers equally disagree on this point ; Matthiolus affirm- ing, that when sucked out of the wound it has proved fatal, while others have admitted the gene- ral opinion of the ancients, that it was harmless when thus received; and on this supposition de- pended the practice of the Psylii, African tribes who followed this mode of curing those who were bitten by serpents, and who were employed, ac- cording to Lucan, by Cato, in his march through the Lybian deserts, for the recovery of his wounded soldiers. Cato is also said to have assured his men, who feared to drink of the fountains, lest they should be infected by the poison of serpents, that, however noxious the bites of those animals might be, yet the poison must lose its effect when mixed with the water and drank. ‘¢ Jam spissior ignis, Et plaga, quam nullam Superi mortalibus ultra A medio fecere die, calcatur, et unda Rarior: inventus mediis fons unus arenis Largus aque: sed quem serpentum turba tenebat Vix capiente loco: stabant in margine siccz Aspides, in mediis sitiebant Dipsades undis. Ductor, ut aspexit perituros fonte relicto, Alloquitur: Vana specie conterrite leti Ne dubita miles tutos haurire liquores : Noxia serpentum est admisto sanguine pestis : Morsu virus habent, et fatum dente minantur: Pocula morte carent: dixit, dubiumque venenum Hausit.” COMMON VIPER. 369 And now with fiercer heat the desert glows, _. And mid-day gleamings aggravate their woes : ‘When lo! a spring amid the sandy plain Shews its clear mouth to cheer the fainting train. But round the guarded brink in thick array Dire aspics roll’d their congregated way ; And thirsting in the midst the torrid Dipsas lay. Blank horror seiz’d their veins ; and at the view Back from the fount the troops recoiling flew: When, wise above the crowd, by cares unquell’d, Their awful leader thus their dread dispell’d : Let not vain terrors thus your minds enslave ; Nor dream the serpent brood can taint the wave: Urg’d by the fatal fang their poison kills; But mixes harmless with the bubbling rills. Dauntless he spoke, and bending as he stood, Drank with cool courage the suspected flood. «The symptoms,” says Dr. Mead, ‘‘ which follow the bite of a Viper, when it fastens either one or both its greater teeth in any part of the body, are an acute pain in the place wounded, with a swell- ing, at first red, but afterwards livid, which by degrees spreads farther to the neighbouring parts ; with great faintness, and a quick, though low, and sometimes interrupted, pulse; great sickness at the stomach, with bilious, convulsive vomit- ings, cold sweats, and sometimes pain about the navel; and if the cure be not speedy, death itself, unless the strength of nature prove sufficient to overcome these disorders: and though it does, the swelling still continues inflamed for some time; nay, in some cases, more considerably upon the abating of the other symptoms than at the begin- mung; and often from the small wound runs a 370 COMMON VIPER. sanious liquor, and little pustules are raised about it: the colour of the whole skin, in less than an hour, is changed yellow, as if the patient had the jaundice. _ These mischiefs (although different climates, season of the year more or less hot, the greater. or lesser rage of the Viper, the animal itself of a larger or smaller size, and consequently able to communicate more or less venom, the wound made deeper, in a part more nervous or tendinous, and therefore receiving more of the poisonous liquor, and the like circumstances, may variously heighten or abate them), yet usually discover themselves much after the same manner in all; unless the bite happen not to be accom: panied with the effusion of that liquor which is the main instrument and cause of this violent and shocking disturbance.” Dr. Mead caused several animals, viz. dors, cats, and pigeons, to be bitten by an enraged Vi- per; which animals generally died, some in a longer, and some in a shorter space of time; but it was observed that they all, immediately after being bitten, exhibited signs of acute pain, as if affected with sickness, faintings, convulsions, &c. The head of a large Viper lay three hours after it was cut off: it was perfectly flaccid, and without motion: a pigeon, wounded on the thigh by the fanes of this head, was presently copgalae &c. as from the bite of the living animal, and died in seven hours. The poison of the Viper was in ancient times collected by barbarian nations as a poison for their COMMON VIPER. 371 arrows, the Scythians, according to Pliny, using it for that purpose mixed with human blood: the poison of other serpents is used in a similar man- ner by savage nations at the present day *. ‘«The viperine poison,” says Boerhaave, ‘ is rendered inactive by digestion in the stomach and bowels, so that it will not afterwards exert its sad effects on the blood; for a whole ounce of the Viperine venom taken by the mouth will not kill an animal; when at the same time a small needle only, dipped in the same fluid, taking up perhaps no more than a hundredth part of a drop, and then thrust into the blood of the living animal, al- most infallibly kills.” ‘ PLACK VIPER: 375 sum does her brood into the pouch under her belly upon the like emergencies; and yet the London Viper-Catchers insist on it to Mr. Barrington that no such thing ever happens.” Sir Thomas Brown, however, seems inclined to believe this circumstance. ‘‘ The young,” says he, ‘‘ supposed to break through the belly of the dam, will upon any fright, for protection, run into it; for then the old one receives them in at her mouth, which way, the fright being past, they will return again, which is a peculiar way of re- . fuge, and although it seem strange, is avowed by frequent experience and undeniable testimony.” - I must add, that I have myself received on this _ subject the information of a gentleman of great accuracy of observation, and who assures me of the truth of this particular in the natural history of the Viper. | VAR.? BLACK VIPER. Coluber Prester. C. niger, vitta dorsal dentata nigerrima. Black Viper, with jet-black dentated dorsal band. Coluber Prester. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 337. Vipera Anglica nigrans. Petvo. Mus. p. 17. n. 104. Abdominal scuta 152, subcaudal squame 32. - Turs Viper is found in some parts of England, and is said likewise to occur in Austria, and in some of the northern regions of Asia. It resem- bles the common Viper in every particular except 376 BLACK VIPER. colour; being of a deep black, with an indistinct _ appearance of the dorsal band of a still more in- tense colour: the edges of the lips are bordered with whitish specks, and in some specimens the neck and tail are marked with a few indistinct yellowish spots. Mr. Pennant, in the British Zoology, considers it as a mere variety of the com- mon viper; but by others, and particularly by Laurenti, it is regarded as a distinct species; and is ranked as such in the Systema Natura of Lin- neus. It is generally supposed to be equally poi- sonous with the common Viper: yet if the Austrian Black Viper of Laurenti be really the same kind with that found in other parts of Europe, it should seem to be innoxious: but perhaps the specimens which he made use of in conducting his experi- ments had either not arrived at their full size and vigour, or had previously discharged their poison by biting other animals: since the pigeons and chickens which he exposed to its fury, were no otherwise injured than by mere puncture, without suffering any symptoms of poison. Pu?. " JIINGE DIM NIPSOIY FANG PUDINT UOPUO T TUOl? EQ HT ER hep fy LYS Se SS NS ~ Mad iA \ SANS WOW TG NV OTMAY 377 AMERICAN BLACK VIPER. Coluber Cacodemon. C. ater, capite lato tumido, corpore crasso. | Black Viper, with broad tumid head, and thick body. Black Viper. Catesb. Carol. 2. pl. 44. Tuts, according to Catesby, appears to be about the size of the Common Viper, but of a much thicker form, and entirely of a rusty black colour: it is slow in its motions, and ‘when irritated, spreads its head, which is naturally large, into a surprising width; threatening, at the same time, with a horrid hiss: the ae are large, and the animal i is said to be as dangerous as the Rattle- snake. It is a native of Carolina, chiefly fre- quenting the higher grounds. EGYPTIAN VIPER. Coluber Tides C. oe. fusco maculatus, subtus ai- bidus, cauda bree: mucronata, Subferruginous Viper, spotted with brown, beneath whitish, with short mucronated tail, Coluber Vipera. Lin, Syst. Nat. p.275. Hassely. itin. p. 340, Abdominal scuta 118, subcaudal scales 22. Tus, which is said to be the officinal Viper of the Egyptians, seems to have been first accurately described by Hasselquist, who informs us that it is imported in considerable quantities every year to Venice for the use of the apothecaries in the VY. III. P. II. 29 378 EGYPTIAN VIPER. composition of the Theriaca, &c. Its size is some- what smaller than that of the common Viper: the - head not so flat on the top, but very protuberant on each side: the snout very obtuse: the body thick towards the middle, and somewhat quadran- gular, but thin and cylindric towards the head and tail, which latter is short, slender, conical, and terminated by a slightly incurved horny point or tip: the scales on all the upper parts of the ani- mal are oval and carinated: the colour above is pale-ferruginous with darker spots, and beneath entirely whitish: the usual length of this species, according to Hasselquist, is about two spans and an inch, of which the tail measures only an inch, This is by some supposed to be the Asp of Cleo- patra, by the bite of which that high-spirited _ princess determined to die, rather than submit to be carried to Rome in order to grace the triumph of Augustus. It seems, however, utterly impossible . to determine this point. Mr. Bruce, as the reader will find in the description of the Cerastes, rather supposes that serpent to have been the species em- ployed. Mr. Schneider, in his work, entitled His- toria Amphibiorum, considers the Egyptian Viper above described to be the true Dipsas of the an- cients which was popularly reported to kill by thirst. : : 379 AMMODYTES. Coluber Ammodytes. C. glauco-fuscus, vitta dorsal dentata atra, verruca nasali erecta. Glaucous-brown Viper, with dentated black dorsal band, ni upright nasal wart. Coluber Ammodytes. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 376. Aldr, Serp. 169. ~ Abdominal scuta 142, subcaudal squame Jer, - THTS species is greatly allied to the Viper in general appearance, but is always distinguished by an erect pointed process on the tip of the snout: its usual colour is either blueish-grey or brown, with a continued black dorsal band: resembling that of the Viper. It is found in many parts of the eastern regions, and is used medicinally for the same purposes as the common. Viper. It is considered as an extremely poison- ous species; and, according to Matthiolus, ete fatal in the space of three hours. CHARASIAN VIPER. Coluber Charasii. C. rufus, naso supra subacuminato, corpore striis brevibus fuscis transversis subconfluentibus notato. | Rufous Viper, with the nose acuminated above, and the body marked with short; subconfluent, dusky transverse streaks. La Vipere. Charas. Nov. Exper. t. 1. A. A. A. ‘Tuts species is described by a French author of the name of Charas, who, though well ac- - quainted with the anatomy of the animal, and the. 380 REDI’S VIPER. structure and use of the fangs and receptacle of poison, yet contended, in opposition to the cele- brated Redi, that when a Viper bit, the symptoms of poison ‘succeeding the bite, were caused by what he termed the ‘‘ enraged spirits” of the crea- ture, and not by the supposed poisonous fluid. This species has the general appearance of the Berus, or common viper, but is distinguished by the want of the dorsal band,-so conspicuous in that animal, and by the upright, subacuminated tip of the snout: the colour of the upper parts is ferruginous, marked with several short, scattered, and subconfluent letter-like streaks here and there dispersed on the skin: the under parts are of a dusky colour, with a steely lustre, and are speckled with yellow. This species is a native of France, and in its general manners, as well as in size, ap- pears to resemble the common Viper, of which it has sometimes heen suspected a variety. -REDI’S VIPER, Coluber Redi. C. Mite ees: serie dorsali quadruplic transversa striarum brevium subconfluentium fuscarum, ae Ferruginous-brown Viper, with a quadruple transverse dorsal series of short subconfluent brown streaks, Coluber Redi. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1091, Abdominal scuta 152, subcaudal squame 33. Tuis is greatly allied to the common Viper, but differs in being marked throughout the whole length of the upper parts, with a quadruple series ASP. 381 of short, transverse, alternate streaks, of which the intermediate ones are often confluent: the colour of the under parts is rufous, more especi- ally towards the head and tail. This is the Vipera of Redi, and is the species with which the experi- ments of that philosopher relative to animal poi- sons were principally made. It is found in many parts of Italy, as well as in Austria, and is said to be more poisonous than the common Viper. ASP. Coluber Aspis. C. rufescens, macutis dorsalibus subrotundatis fuscis alternis, versus caudam subconfluentibus, ~ Rufescent Viper, with roundish, alternate, dusky, dorsal spots, subconfluent towards the tail. i Coluber Aspis? Lin. Syst. Nat. p..378. -L’Aspic. Cepede Serp. p. 53. pl. 2. f. 1. . Abdominal scuta 155, subcaudal scales 37. Tue true Asp of the ancients seems to be en- tirely unknown, owing to the discordant descrip- tions and want of precision in the works of an- cient authors; but the Linnean Coluber Aspis is supposed to be the serpent described under the name of Aspic by the Count de Cepede, who informs us that it is a native of France, and _par- ticularly of the northern provinces of that coun- try. The individual described by Cepede mea- sured about three feet in length, of which the tail measured three inches and eight lines: the head is. rather large, and covered with small carinated scales, the body with larger, of similar structure: 382 SWEDISH VIPER. the colour is pale rufous grey, and along the up- per parts are three longitudinal ranges of roundish deep-rufous spots, bordered with black, and which unite or become confluent towards the tail, in such a manner as to exhibit the appearance of a zigzag band, resembling in some degree that of the common Viper: the under parts are of a dusky. colour, marbled with dull yellow: in the structure of its fangs it resembles the Viper, and is said to be equally poisonous. I must not omit to observe that Mons. Latreille is not willing to allow this serpent to be the real Coluber Aspis of Linnzus. SWEDISH VIPER. Coluber Chersea. C. subferrugineus, vitta dorsah atra flexuosa, capite suotus albido. | Subferruginous Viper, with black flexuous dorsal band, and head whitish beneath. sat | ' Coluber Chersea. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 377. Abdominal scuta 150, subcaudal scales 34. ° '; Tuts is said by Linnzus to be extremely nearly, allied to the preceding, of which it might even be supposed a variety, but 1s of smaller size, not often exceeding the length of a span: it is said. to be most frequent in the province of Smoland, where it is greatly dreaded by the inhabitants, who consider its bite as mortal: its colour is a, dusky rufous brown, with a flexuous dorsal band. of a deeper colour, as in the common Viper: the head is ovate, of a pale colour, and marked with, SWEDISH VIPER. 883 a heart-shaped dusky spot, the divisions of which are directed backwards: In the Memoirs of the Swedish Academy is an account of a young man, a labourer, bit by this animal on the toe of the left foot: in six hours space the whole leg and thigh were red and swelled ; the pulse intermitted, and the patient was oppressed with pains in the head and bowels, accompanied by lassitude, &c. the Juice of the ash-leaves being in Sweden a popular specific in similar cases, a glass of the expressed juice, mixed with wine, was exhibited every half hour, and a cataplasm of the bruised leaves ap- plied to the wound: in the evening a glass of warm olive oil was swallowed. By these means the patient was greatly relieved ; slept well during the night, and found the swelling much reduced by the next. morning; but, neglecting to repeat the same remedies, it again returned, and was again dissipated by the same applications, and in two or three days the patient recovered. Linnzus, however, is said to have been not so fortunate in his attempts to cure, by means of olive oil, a wo- man wounded by this kind of viper, since the me- dicine proved inefficacious, and the woman died... 384 GREEK VIPER. ‘Coluber Lebetinus. C. griseus, serie quadruplicc macularum transversarum ; intermediis flavescentibus, lateralibus nigrican- - tibus. Grey Viper, with a quadruple series of transverse spots, the middle ones yellowish, the lateral dusky. Coluber Lebetinus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 278. Abdominal scuta 155, subcaudal squame 46. Tuts is aViper of considerable size, measuring, according to Forskal, near a cubit in length, and being of a very thick form towards the middle: the head is large, broad, depressed, and subcor- date: the neck rather slender: the tail about four inches long: the scales on the head small, and those on the other parts larger, ovate-obtuse, flat, and carinated: the back is deflected considerably on each side: colour grey: with four series of al- ternate transverse spots, those of the middle series yellowish, and those of the lateral blackish: the under parts pale or whitish, pretty thickly freckled with dusky specks. This snake is a native of Greece and the Grecian islands, as Cyprus, &c. where it is called by the name of Kufi (Kz@y), or deaf snake. Its bite is said by Forskal to prove fatal, producing insuperable somnolency. By the more learned, in those regions, it is termed Aspis, and Forskal supposes it to have been the Aspis of the ancients. It is said to be often found in corn fields during the harvest season, and is much dreaded by the Grecian reapers. Wy ee Re d ‘PML IID AYSLONLD Md PUQQNT UOpuoy Cuore rogt ° SULSVUAD Guns gouge = Baa Yi = Z es ae Sans < a = = S a = iW hp) — QW? = } LZGFX a == = Z a SB ppg or SA TS L035. SCYTHIAN VIPER. Coluber Scytha. C. supra nigerrimus, subtus albus. Coal-black Viper, white beneath. Coluber Seytha. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel, p. 1091. _ Abdominal scuta 153, subcaudal squame 31. Narrve of the woods of Siberia; observed by Dr. Pallas, who informs us that it grows to the length of half a foot or more, and is of the thick- ness of a finger: colour a very deep black above, but white and glossy beneath: head subcordate ; tail about one tenth of the whole length: poison- ous, but not dangerously so. CERASTES. ‘Coluber Cerastes. C. subferrugineus, maculis distantibus subo- wats subtransversts fuscis, palpebris cornutis, | Subferruginous Snake, with distant *subovate subtransverse brown spots, and horned eyelids. | ~ Coluber Cerastes. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 376. Cerastes ex Lybia. dldr. Serp. p. 175. Cerastes. Bruce’s Travels, appendix. Abdominal plates 150, subcaudal scales 25 pair. . Tue Cerastes or Horned Viper, which com- monly grows to the length of about a foot or fifteen inches, and sometimes to a larger size*, is distinguished by a pair of horns or curved pro- * The specimens described by Cepede measured more thar two feet, as does also that in the British Museum. 386 CERASTES. cesses, situated above the eyes, and pointing for- wards: these horns have nothing analogous in their structure to the horns of quadrupeds, and are by no means to be considered in thé light of either offensive or defensive weapons: they im- crease, however, the natural antipathy so generally felt against the serpent tribe, and give the animal a more than ordinary appearance of malignity. The Cerastes is a native of many parts of Africa, and is principally found in sandy deserts and dry places. Its usual colour is a pale yellowish or reddish. brown, with a few rather large, distant, round, or transversly oblong spots of a deeper colour dispersed along the upper parts. of the body, the belly or under part being of a pale lead colour. In Syria and Arabia the Cerastes is par- ticularly frequent, and is also found in many parts of Egypt, &c. It bears a very great affinity to the common Viper, and its bite is perhaps still more to be dreaded, since, exclusive of the gene- ral danger of treading accidentally on this reptile, and thus irritating it unawares, it is said to. pos- sess a propensity of springing with great sudden- ness to a considerable distance, and assailing without overs in those who happen to ap- proach it.. The eaearl history and manners of this serpent are aqaaly detailed by Mr. Bruce, who, in the course of his travels, had frequent opportunities of contemplating it in its native regions. ‘‘'The Cerastes,” says Mr. Bruce, ‘‘ inhabits the greatest part.of the Eastern Continent, espe- \ CERASTES.. 387 cially the desert sandy part of it. It abounds in the three Arabias, and in Africa. I never saw so many of them as in the Cyrenaicum, where the Jerboa is frequent in proportion. He is a great, lover of heat ; for though the sun was burning hot all day, when we made a fire at night, by digging a hole, and burning wood to charcoal in it, for dressing our victuals, it was seldom we had fewer than half a dozen of these vipers, who burnt them- selves to death by approaching the embers.. The general size of the Cerastes, from the extremity. of its snout to the end of the tail, is from thirteen to fourteen inches: its head is triangular, very flat, but higher near where it joins the neck than to- wards the nose: the length of its head, from the point of the nose to the joining of the neck, is ten twelfths of an inch, and the breadth nine twelfths: between its horns is three twelfths: the opening of its mouth, or rictus oris, is eight twelfths: its horns in length three twelfths: its large canine teeth something more than three twelfths and a half: its neck, at the joining of the head, four twelfths: the body, where thickest, ten twelfths: its tail, at the joining of the body, two twelfths and a half: the tip of the tail one twelfth: the length of the tail one inch and three twelfths: the aperture of the eye two twelfths, but this varies, apparently according to the impres- sion of light. The Cerastes has sixteen small, im- moveable teeth, hollow, crooked, inwards, and of a remarkably fine polish, white in colour, inclin- ing to blueish: near one fourth of the bottom is 388 CERASTES, strongly fixed in the upper jaw, and folds back like a clasp knife, the point inclining inwards, and the greatest part of the tooth is covered with a a green, soft membrane, not drawn tight, but as it were wrinkled over it: immediately above this is a slit along the back of the tooth, which ends nearly in the middle of it, where the tooth curves inwardly. From this aperture I apprehend that it sheds its poison, not from the point, where, with the best glasses, I could never perceive an aper- ture, so that the tooth is not a tube, but hollow only half way; the point being for making the incision, and by its pressure occasioning the ve- nom in the bag at the bottom of the fang, to rise in the tooth, and spill itself through the slit into the wound. By this flat position of the tooth along the jaw, and its being defended by the membrane, it eats in perfect safety ; for the tooth cannot press the bag of poison at the root while it lies in this position, nor can it rise in the tube to spill itself, nor can the tooth make any wound, so as to receive it; but the animal is supposed to eat but seldom, or only when it is with young. This viper has only one row of teeth; none but the ca- nine are noxious. ‘The poison is very copious for so small a creature, it is fully as large as a drop of laudanum dropt from a vial by a careful hand. Viewed through a glass, it appears not perfectly . transparent or pellucid. I should imagine it hath other reservoirs than the bag under the tooth, for I compelled it to scratch eighteen pigeons upon the thigh as quickly as possible, and they all died nearly: CERASTES. 889 in the same interval of time; but I confess the danger attending the dissection of the head of this creature made me so cautious, that any obser- vation I should make upen these ave would be iiss to be depended upon.’ ae People have doubted whether or not this yel- low liquor is the poison, and the reason has been, that animals who had tasted it, did not die as when bitten, but this reason does not hold good. in modern physics. We know why the saliva of a‘mad dog has been given to animals, and has not affected them; and a German physician was bold enough to distil the pus or putrid matter flowing from the ulcer of a person infected by the plague, and taste it afterwards, without bad con- sequences; so that it is clear the poison has no activity till through some sore or wound it is admitted into the circulation. Again, the tooth itself, divested of that poison, has as little effect. The viper deprived of his canine teeth, an opera- tion very easily performed, bites, without any fatal consequence, with the others; and many in- stances there have been of mad dogs having bit people cloathed in coarse woollen stuff, which had so far cleaned the teeth of the saliva in passing through it, as not to have left the smallest imelatas mation after the wound.” | . ** The Cerastes is mentioned by name in Lucan, and without warranting the separate existence of any of the rest, I can see several that are but the Cerastes under another term: the Thebanus Ophites, the Ammodytes, the torrida Dipsas, and 390 CERASTES. the Prester, all of them are but this viper, de- scribed from the form of its parts or colours *: Cato must have been marching in the night when he met this army of serpents : the Cerastes hides itself all day in holes in the sand, where it lives in contiguous and similar houses to those of the Jer- boa; and I have already said, that I never but once Sait any animal in this viper’s sn but one Jerboa in a gravid female Cerastes.” ‘‘T kept two of these last-mentioned creatures in a glass jar, such as is used for keeping sweet meats in, for two years, without having given them any food: they did not sleep, that I ob- served, in winter, but cast their skins the last days of April. The Cerastes moves with great rapidity, and in all directions, forward, backward, and side- ways. When he inclines to surprise any one, who is too far from him, he creeps with his side to- wards the person, and his head averted, till judg- ing his distance, he turns round, springs upon him, and fastens upon the part next to him; for it is not true what is said, that the Cerastes does not leap or spring. I saw one of them at Cairo,: in the house of Julian and Rosa, crawl up the side of a box, in which there were many, and there lie still as if hiding himself, till one of the people: who brought them to us, came near him, and’ though in a very disadvantageous posture, stick- ing, as it were, perpendicular to the side of the box, he leaped near the distance of three feet, and PaO Ren ge RON ORO ET RAG TTL le CERASTES; 391 fastened between the man’s fore-finger and thumb, so as to bring the blood. The Fellow shewed. no sign of either pain or fear, and we kept him with us full four hours, without his applying any sort of remedy, or his seeming inclined so todo. To make myself assured that the animal was in its perfect state, I made the man hold him by the neck, so as to force him to open his mouth, and lacerate the thigh of a pelican, a bird I had tamed, as big as a swan, ‘The bird died in about thirteen minutes, though it was apparently affected in fifty seconds; and we cannot think this was a fair trial, because, a very few minutes. before, it had bit the man, and so discharged part of its virus, and it was made to scratch the pelican by. force, without any irritation or action of its own.’ ‘* I apprehend this to be the Aspic, which re patra employed to procure her death. Alexandria, plentifully supplied by water, must then have had fruit of all kinds in its gardens: the baskets of figs must have come from thence, and the Aspic or Cerastes that was hid in them, from the adjoining desert, where they are plenty to this day; for to the westward in Egypt, where the Nile overflows, there is no sort of serpents whatever that ever I saw, nor, as I have before said, is there any other of the mortal kind that I know, in those parts of Africa adjoining to Egypt, excepting the Cerastés; It should seem very natural for any one, who; from motives of distress, has resolved to puta pe- riod to his existence, especially women, and weak persons, unaccustomed to handle arms, to seek $92 CERASTES. the gentlest method to free themselves from the load of life now become insupportable. This, however, has not always been the case with the ancients. Arria, Poetus’s wife, stabbed herself with a dagger, to set her husband an example to die, with this memorable assurance, after giving herself the blow, Poetus, it is not painful! Porcia, the wife of Brutus, died by the barbarous, and not obvious way of perishing, by swallowing fire; the violent agitation of spirits prevailing over the mo- mentary difference in the suffering. It is not to be doubted but that a woman, high-spirited like Cleopatra, was also above the momentary differ- ences in feeling; and had the way in which she died not been ordinary and usual, she certainly would not have applied herself to the invention of a new one. We are therefore to look upon her dying by the bite of the Cerastes as only follow- ing the manner of death which she had seen adopted by those who intended to die without torment. Galen, speaking of the Aspic in the great city of Alexandria, says, I have seen how speedily they (the Adelan, prime minister of Sennaar, a slave of his brought a Cerastes, which he had just taken out of a hole, and was using with every sort of fami- liarity. I told him my suspicion that the teeth had been drawn, but he assured me they were not, as did his master Kitton, who took it from him, wound it round his arm, and at my desire ordered the servant to carry it home with me. I tooka chicken by the neck, and made it flutter before him ; his seeming indifference left him, and he bit it with great signs of anger: the chicken died almost immediately *: I say his seeming indiffer- ence, for I constantly observed, that, however lively the viper was before, yet upon being seized by any of these barbarians, he seemed as if taken with sickness, and feebleness, frequently shut his eyes, and never turned his mouth towards the arm of the person that held him. I asked Kitton how they came to be exempted from this mischief? He said they were born so, and so said the grave and respectable men among them. Many of the lighter and lower sort talked of enchantments by words and by writing, but they all knew how to prepare any person by medicines, which were de- coctions of herbs and roots. I have seen many thus armed for a season, do pretty much the samé * Might not this have happened from the tooth piercing the, spinal marrow; and would not the same eflect have happened, had the chicken been pierced with a pin? 396 CERASTES. feats as those who possessed the exemption natu- rally: the drugs were given me, and I several times armed myself, as I thought, resolved to try the experiment ; but my heart always failed me when I came to the trial; because among these wretched people it was a pretence they might very probably have sheltered themselves under, that I was a Christian, and that therefore it had no effect upon me. | I have still remaining by me a small quantity of this root, but never had an opportu- nity of trying the experiment.” The Cerastes often makes its appearance among the numerous hieroglyphic figures on the various » remains of Egyptian antiquity ; and is particularly conspicuous on a pair of large sculptured stones brought from Alexandria, and preserved in the British Museum, and which, probably, made a part of the cornice of some magnificent temple. This animal, like some other poisonous ser — _ 1s supposed to be viviparous. The admirable figure of the Cerastes, in the Appendix to Mr. Bruce’s Travels, is deserving of the highest commendation, and infinitely sur- passes every prior representation of the animal. It is, therefore, on account of its superior merit, se- lected for the present publication. . LO04 NAKE . » 4 Ie Os cA=N FLOM N \, AS \ \ PANN Meath scudp. = — = == Ss ‘Sot Zz. Ni; : NS ny i Ne, Zan 1] ah SO a ‘\\ \\ \ Ni | ) Ha i y Ny vi \\\, WwW a ways SN \ ay i AN Kearsley Fleet Strece. a 7. 601 Jan 1 London Fublijhd bv ¢ $97 “N HORN-NOSE SNAKE. _ Coluber Nasicornis. C. subolivaceo-flavescens nigro variatus, fascia lateral flexuosa pallida, naso bicornt, Subolivaceo-flavescent Snake, with black variegations, pale flexuous lateral band, and two-horned snout. Coluber Nasicornis. C. subolivaceo-ferrugineus, nigro irroratus maculis dorsalibus pallidis nigro circumscriptis, fascia laterali undulata pallida, Olive-brown Snake, freckled with blackish, with a row of pale dorsal spots surrounded by black, and a flexuous pale fascia on the sides. Naturalist’s Misceliany, pl. 94. Abdominal plates 127, subcaudal scales 32 pair, Turis highly remarkable Snake was first pub- lished in the Naturalist’s Miscellany, and was, prior to the period of its introduction into that work, a perfectly new and undescribed species. I shall therefore repeat, with very slight varia- tions, my former description. The Snake here represented, adds to the num- ber of those malignant reptiles whose bite, in the hotter regions of the globe, proves the dreadful forerunner of a speedy and painful death. If at the first glance of most of the serpent tribe an in- voluntary sort of horror and alarm is so often felt by those who are unaccustomed to the examina- tion of these animals, how much greater dread must the unexpected view of the species here ex- hibited be supposed to inflict? when to the gene- ral form of the creature is superadded the peculiar fierceness and forbidding torvity with which Na- ture has marked its countenance; distinguished 898 HORN-NOSE SNAKE. by the very uncommon appearance of two large and sharp-pointed horns, situated, not as in the Cerastes, above the eyes, but on the top of the nose or anterior part of the upper jaw. These horns stand nearly upright, but incline slightly backwards and a little outwards on each side, and are of a substance not absolutely horny, but in some degree flexible: their shape is somewhat triangular or three-sided: they are about half an inch in length, and at the fore part of the base of each stands an upright strong scale, of nearly the same shape with thé horn itself, and thus giving the appearance of a much smaller pair of horns*. The mouth is furnished with extremely large and long fang’s ortubular teeth, situated as in other poisonous serpents, and capable of inflicting the most severe wounds: two of these fangs appear on each side of the mouth; the hinder pair being smaller than the others. The length of this animal is about thirty- five inches. Its colour is a yellowish olive-brown, very thickly sprinkled all over with minute black- ish specks: along the whole length of the back is placed a series of yellowish-brown oblong spots or marks, each. of which is imbedded in a patch of black; and on each side of the body, from head to tail, runs an acutely-flexuous or zigzag line or * It is remarkable that some of the older writers+ speak of a kind of Cerastes with four horns, or even more: it is, therefore, not improbable that this species might have been seen by those authors. : + Solinus, Albertus, &e. HORN-NOSE SNAKE. 399 narrow band of an ochre-colour: this band is bounded beneath by a much deeper or blacker shade, than on the rest of the body: the belly is of a dull ochre-colour or cinereous yellow, freckled with blackish spots and markings; and besides these a number of black spots of different sizes are here and there dispersed over the whole animal. ‘The tail is somewhat thin and short in proportion to the body. .The scales of this species are harsh and stiff, and are very strongly carinated. The head is covered with small scales, and is marked on its upper part by a very large longitudinal patch of brown, running out into pointed pro- cesses at the sides, and bounded by a space of dull lead-colour or cinereous. ‘The shape of the head is broad and flattened: the cheeks are varied with blackish and yellow marks. _ The animal seems to have been taken at a | pe- riod not far distant from that of casting its skin ; since the exterior scales separate easily from the subjacent ones, which then appear of a clearer and lighter colour than before, the yellowish variegations on the sides approaching almost to whiteness, with dusky spots and marks. This Snake exhibits a richness and magnificence in the pattern of its robe, which cannot be viewed without admiration, though the colours separately considered are far from brilliant; and, like those on the plumage of the Wryneck, produce their effect from the curious manner in which they are disposed and blended. 400 CROTALINE SNAKE. The Horn-Nose Snake is supposed to be a na- tive of the interior parts of Africa. The specimen was obtained from the master of a Guinea vessel by the Rev. Edward Charles Jenkins, of Charles- Town, in South Carolina, by whom it was pre- sented to the British Museum, CROTALINE SNAKE, Coluber Crotalinus. C. cinereus, supra maculis magnis nigricans tibus alternis, subtus flavescens fusco irroratus. | Cinereus Snake, marked above with large alternate blackish spots ; beneath yellow, freckled with brown. Coluber Crotalinus. Lin. Syst. Nut. Gmel. p. 1094, Abdominal scuta 154, subcaudal scuta 43, Tuis, says Linneus,. is a large species, with the habit of a Rattle-Snake: colour cinereous, marked above with large, alternate, blackish spots; the under parts yellowish, freckled with brown: head cordate, eyelids protuberant; tail about one se- venth of the length of the body, and furnished with scutelia as in other Colubri. A specimen of this Snake, in the British Museum, is about the size of the Boa Canina: the head is broad, and obtusely trigonal; the scales are carinated, and the body ‘seems to have been banded with brown, but the specimen being much faded, the disposition of its colours cannot be very exactly determined. ‘The number of abdominal scuta in this specimen is 150, and of subcaudal squame 40, 401 CLOTHO. Coluber Clotho. C. griseo-/uteus, fusciis numerosis undulatis transversis nigris, subtus cinereus nigro variatus. Greyish-orange Snake, with numerous transverse undulated black bands, beneath ash-coloured, with black variegations. Vipera Baten Ceilonica elegantissima. Seb. 2. ¢. 93. Tuis appears from Seba’s description and figure to be a large and richly variegated species, mea- suring more than six feet in length: and being pretty thick in proportion: the head is large, co- vered with small scales, and scarce distinguished from the body by any perceptible neck: the co- lour of the upper parts is a strong orange-brown, freckled with black specks, one at the tip of each scale, and marked with numerous transverse zig- zag bars of black; while about the sides are seve- ral scattered black spots of different forms and sizes: the under parts are cinereous, barred here and there by narrow transverse black stripes: the tail of moderate length, thinner than the body, and gradually tapers to the extremity. This snake is a native of Ceylon, and is supposed to be a poi- sonous species. 402 LACHESIS. Coluber Lachesis. C. griseo-flavescens, fusco variatus, squamis laxis carinatis, capite indistincto, cauda brevt. Yellowish-grey Snake, variegated with brown, with loose ca- rinated scales, indistinct head, and short tail. Serpens Ceilonica Bitin dicta. Seb. 2. t. 94. fi 2. Tuis remarkable snake is figured and slightly described by Seba, who: informs us that it is a native of the island of Ceylon, where it is known by the name of Bitin.. Its colour is a rich and somewhat irregular variegation of deep and light brown, disposed in the form of streaks and patches on a yellowish-grey ground: the scales, which in many parts are tipped with white, are large, strongly carinated, and fixed only at the base, while the remainder is loose or free: in con- sequence of this disposition of the scales, the, animal, while moving, is said to make a kind of rustling sound, by elevating and depressing them, and even sometimes shaking off such as happen to be in any degree loose: the scuta or under scales are broad, of a pale colour, and marked by numerous, small, irregular, dusky, or blackish spots. It is a poisonous species, ‘being armed with large fangs, and, from its general form and proportions, appears to be an animal of very con- siderable strength: the head is not distinguished in size from the body by any appearance of neck or contraction: the male is deeper coloured than the female, and seems to have a larger body and LOD cs ACHE SIS. 2601 Jans Lonion Lublijhil bv CHearstey Lleete-Street . 100. RN RW LACHE SIS var ? BS es 8 ‘ iN S S S SS S RY s S \ yy N 5 & s LACHESIS. A403 a more slender tail. ‘The general length of this snake seems to be about four or five feet, and the tail is short in proportion to the body. It does not appear to have been known to Linnzus, who, relying on his specific characters taken from the number of scuta and squame, seems to have neglected almost every species, however remark- able, described or figured by other authors, where those particulars could not be ascertained. VAR.? Seb. 2. t. 30. Turs is probably a variety of the preceding, from which it differs in being of a somewhat shorter form in proportion, with the tail remark- ably short, thick, and suddenly tapering to an obtuse point. Its variegations are very nearly similar to those of the former. There can be no occasion to warn the scientific reader, that as the two preceding species are de- scribed merely from their general appearance, the specific characters annexed must, of course, be received with some degree of latitude. 404 ATROPOS. Coluber Atropos. C. canus maculis rotundis magnis fuscis albo marginatis in serie quadruplici dispositis, - Grey Snake, with a quadruple series of large round brown spots with white margins. Coluber Atropos. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 275. Abdominal scuta 131, subcaudal squamz 22. Tus is a species of a thick and short form, scarcely exceeding fifteen or sixteen inches in length: the head is large and viperine, marked with four or five large dusky spots, and covered with small scales: the remainder of the animal is pale brown, marked all along the upper part by four * rows of very large, alternate, round, black spots bordered with white: the abdomen is ash-coloured: the tail very short, measuring about a ninth part of the whole length: the scales on all the upper parts are of a slightly sharpened form, and carinated. It is a native of America, and is considered as an extremely poisonous serpent. From its remark- able pattern, and the size of its spots, it is a spe- cies very easily distinguished. . * In a beautiful specimen in the Leverian Museum there seem to be only three rows of spots. 405 ALECTO. Coluber Alecto. C. albidus, dorso maculis reticulatis rhombeatis fuscis, capite cordato ferrugineo, stria laterali nigra. Whitish Snake, with reticular rhomboid brown spots along the back, and cordated ferruginous head with a black lateral stripe. : Coluber Ceilonicus, longissimus, perniciosus, torvus Ammo- dytes dictus. Seb. 2.p. 79. ¢. 76. f. 1. A LARGE snake: length about five feet and a half: habit rather slender than thick: head very large, flattish, cordated at the back part, of a pale ferruginous colour speckled with black, and marked on each side by a descending black streak from the eye to the hind-head: remainder of the animal very pale or whitish grey, marked through- out the whole length of the back by a series of large, transverse, rhomboid, reticular patches of brown, the points of which descend on the sides so as almost to reach the abdominal scuta: tail rather short, gradually tapering, and terminating in a horny pointed extremity. Native of Ceylon: said to be a poisonous species. VAR? SEBA figures a much smaller snake, of about three feet long, white, with a tinge of blossom- colour, and marked above as in the former, of which it may, perhaps, be a younger specimen ; the differences being not so great as entirely to 406 MEGAERA. forbid this supposition. It is said to be a native of Africa. See Seb. 2. pl. 82. f. 2. TISIPHONE. Coluber Tisiphone. C. fuscus zmmaculatus, corpore crasso. Brown thick-bodied Snake, without any variegations. Brown Viper. Catesb. Carol. 2. pl. 45. Tus, says Catesby, is of the size of the Black Viper (American), measuring about two feet in length, and large in proportion: it is also a very Semilaaliics and sluggish reptile, advancing de- liberately, even to escape danger: yet will defend itself with much fierceness when attacked, and its bite is said to be as venomous as any: it retains” its brown colour, in all stages of life: it is found in Virginia, and Carolina, in the last of which it is called the Truncheon Snake: it — on - zards and other animals. MEGAERA. Coluber Mevera. C. fuscus, flavo variatus, capite cordato de- presso, foramine utrinque magno inter oculos & nares. Brown Snake, with yellow variegations, flat cordate head, and a large orifice on each side between the eyes and nostrils, La Vipere Fer-de-Lance, Cepede Serp. p. 121. pl. 5. Abdominal scuta 224, subcaudal squame 68. Tus is a large species, measuring, = full-- grown, five or six feet, or even more, in length. MEGAERA. 407 It is a native of the island of Martinico, and some of the neighbouring islands, and may justly be considered as one of the most formidable of the Transatlantic Serpents. The Count de Cepede very properly observes, that the name of Yellow Martinico Snake, by which it is generally called in the works of voyagers, is highly improper, since yellow is often not the predominating co- lour: that of a fine specimen in the British Mu- seum is a rich deep brown, with yellow variega- tions; the back being marked throughout the whole length of the animal by pretty numerous, equidistant, broken, and slightly alternating bars of dull yellow, which, descending and joining at intervals with the neighbouring ones, form ob- scurely annular and somewhat irregular markings of similar colour along the sides, with still more obscure crossings on the part nearest the scuta, intermixed with smaller patches and spots: the abdomen is dull yellow, clouded and speckled on the sides with pale brown: the head is large, flat, cordate, and covered with very small carinated scales; but the terminal scale of the nose, and those at the sides of the mouth, are very large: above each eye is also a very large scale: the nos- trils are small, and between them and the eyes on each side is a large orifice, the use of which is per- haps not distinctly understood, but which has been regarded as a passage to the organ of hear- ing: the scales on the whole upper parts of the body are moderately large, ovate, and carinated, the back slightly elevated, the sides rather sloping, 4 408 MEGAERA. — and the abdomen flattish: the total length of the individual now described, in the British Museum, is something more than five feet, the body being of moderate thickness in proportion : the tail mea- sures eight inches, and gradually tapers to the extremity, which is terminated by a small callous or horny point of about the eighth of an inch in length. That this is a most formidable serpent, appears from the large size of the fangs, which are of the usual curved form, and measure near three quar- ters of an inch in length. The poison is said to resemble in appearance that of most other serpents, being a clear yellowish fluid, like olive oil: the symptoms produced by the bite are such as follow from that of the Viper, but in a much stronger degree: when preparing to bite it is said to throw itself into a spiral form, and to, spring with great rapidity on its victim; but at other times to be rather slow of motion, and of a torpid or indolent nature, concealing itself beneath various vege- tables, or within the hollows of trees, &e. and even sometimes in cavities under ground: it is said to frequent sugar plantations, for the sake of the rats, which abound in such situations; it also preys on birds, &c. the female is reportéd to go six months with young, which she produces in the months of August and September, perfectly formed, like those of the Viper, and very nume- rous, amounting to twenty, forty, and even, ac- cording to some accounts, as many as sixty: they are observed to vary in colour, some of the same eae Be) bi Mio 107 pe SS == es ARS it SON HHL MeN 2 { me HH HA \\ ~ \ N \y S SS An, << SSS S ————— — Zs FE Ss CE — =~ SSS S SS ——— 2S SS —— a i ‘ Hy i A NN IWAN PKI Nat ( i ma {I i si) il , vial nN en i a NG Reinhard SPECTACLE SNAKE. SPECTACLE SNAKE, A09 brood being yellow, others grey, and others of mixed colours: it is probable, however, that the colour of the full-grown animal is always similar to that of the individual above described. The Count de Cepede, in his History of Ser- pents, gives this species the title of Ler de Lance, from a fancied resemblance between the shape of the flat subtriangular space on the middle of the head to that of a spear-head or halbert, The num- ber of scuta in the small specimen described by that author was 228, and of subcaudal squame 61 pair. Inthe British Museum specimen above- described, the number of the former is 224, and of the latter 68. SPECTACLE SNAKE. Coluber Naja. C. ferrugineoflavescens, colle supra macula magna conspicillata albo nigroque varia notato. — Ferruginous-yellow Snake, with the neck marked above by a large black and white spectacle-shaped spot. Coluber Naja. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 382. Serpens Malabarica Cobra de Capello dicta. Seb. 2. ¢. 94.f. 2. Serpens Indicus Noja dictus, &c. Seb. 2. ¢. 97. Abdominal scuta 193, subcaudal squame 60. Tue Coluber Naja, or Cobra de Capello, is a native of India, where it appears to be one of the most common, as well as most noxious, of the Serpent tribe; very frequently proving fatal, in the space of a few minutes, to those who unfortu- nately experience its bite. Its remarkable form Ley 210, P. 11. 27 410 SPECTACLE SNAKE, and colours are such as to distinguish it with great ease from almost every other snake. Its general length seems to be three or four feet, and the diameter of the body about an inch and quar- ter: the head is rather small than large, and is covered on the fore part with large smooth scales; resembling, in this respect, the majority of in- noxious serpents: the back part, sides, and neck, with smaller ovate scales; and the remainder of the animal, on the upper parts, with small, dis- tinct, oblong-oval scales, not ill resembling the general form of a grain of rice. Ata small dis- tance beyond the head is a lateral swelling or dilatation of the skin, which is continued to the distance of about four inches downwards, where the outline gradually sinks into the cylindric form of the rest of the body. This part is ex- tensile, at the pleasure of the animal; and when viewed from above, while in its most extended state, is of a somewhat cordated form, or wider at the upper than the lower part: it is marked above by a very large and conspicuous patch or spot, greatly resembling the figure of a pair of spectacles ; the mark itself being white with black edges, and the middle of each of the rounded parts black. This mark is more or less distinct in dif- ferent individuals, and also varies occasionally in size and form, and in some is even altogether wanting. The usual colour of the animal is a pale ferruginous brown above; the under parts. being of a blueish white, sometimes. slightly SPECTACLE SNAKE. All tinged with pale brown, or yellow: the tail, which is of moderate length, tapers gradually, and ter- minates in a slender, sharp-pointed extremity. This formidable reptile has obtained its Portu- guese title of Cobra de Capello or hooded snake from the appearance which it presents when viewed in front in an irritated state, or when preparing to bite; at which time it bends the head rather downwards, and seems hooded, as it were, in some degree, by the expanded skin of the neck. In India it is every where exhibited publicly as a show, and is, of course, more universally known in that country than almost any other of the race of reptiles. It is carried about in a covered basket, and so managed by its proprietors as to assume, when exhibited, a kind of dancing motion; rais- ing itself up on its lower part, and alternately moving its head and body from side to side for some minutes, to the sound of some musical in- . strument which is played during the time. ‘The Indian jugglers, who thus exhibit the animal, first deprive it of its fangs, by which means they are secured from the danger of its bite. Dr. Russel, in his account of experiments made in India with this serpent, observes, that, as a ge- neral standard for a comparison of the effect of its bite with that of other poisonous serpents, he never knew it prove mortal to a dog in less than twenty-seven minutes, and to a chicken in less than half a minute. Thus, fatal as it is, its poi- son seems not so speedy in operation as that of 412 SPECTACLE SNAKE. the Rattle-Snake, which has been known to kal a dog in the space of two minutes. In the month of June, 1787, a dog bitten “a -a Cobra de Capello on the inside wii the thigh, howled at first, as if in severe pain: after two or three minutes he lay down, continuing to howl and moan: after twenty minutes he rose, but with much difficulty, being unable to walk, and his whole frame appeared oteaithy disordered. He soon lay down again, and in a few minutes was seized with convulsions, in which he expired, twenty- sevgi minutes after the bite. A large and very stout dog was bitten by an- other Cobra de Capello on the inside of the thigh, which, in a minute or two, was drawn up, which is, in general, the first symptom of the poison hav- ing taken effect. He continued, however, nearly an hour longer, walking on the three remaining legs, seeming not otherwise disordered ; but after this time, he laid himself along, in great inquie+ tude, his head and throat being convulsed in an. uncommon degree; he made several vain efforts to rise; his legs became both paralytic, and after continuing in this state near an hour, he expired. Nov. Jith, a large dog was bitten by a Cobra de Capello which had been captive only two days. - He complained a good deal at the instant of the bite, and the leg was drawn up soon. In twenty- five minutes he was seized with convulsions, suc- ceeded by stupor, in which state he lay for ten minutes: the convulsions, however, returned, and SPECTACLE SNAKE. 413 he expired ina quarter of an hour; being fifty-six minutes after the bite. Aug. 9th, a Cobra de Capello, which had lost _ his two longest fangs, but retained two of the second order, was made to bite a very large stout dog. At first the dog complained loudly, though without drawing up the thigh, or shewing any other symptom of poison: but, happening at this time to break loose, he was pursued, and, after a chase of an hour and a half, was brought back, much fatigued and heated. After resting a quar- ter of an hour, water was offered to him, which was refused, though he eat some morsels of bread thrown into it. About a quarter of an hour after- wards he became much disturbed, grew entirely outrageous, howling violently, snapping at and gnawing the stake to which he was tied with incredible ferocity. . This continued about three hours, when, growing faint, his howlings grew weaker, his convulsions increased, and he expired in about four hours after the bite. A pig, bitten by a snake of this kind, which had been kept for more than six weeks, and fed only once in seven days with milk, became greatly disordered in twenty minutes, and expired in less than an hour, _ A chicken, bitten by a Cobra de Capello, has been sometimes known to survive two hours. Aug. 17, 1788, an attempt was made to make a Cobra de Capello bite another (of the variety called Nooni Paragocdo) in the tail, but that part being found too small, the belly was bitten, a little 414 SPECTACLE SNAKE. above the vent. The bitten snake soon lost its former activity, and, when put under a glass, coiled itself up. In this state it was left, and after an hour and a quarter was found dead. On opening the belly, the parts immediately beneath the bite appeared much inflamed, though it could not be discovered whether the fangs had panier trated into the cavity. A Cobra de Capello, received by Dr. Russel - from Ganjam, under the name of Saltanag, was made to bite another remarkably large Cobra, brought from the same place, under the name of Coultiah. The poison was shed on the place, but no marks of fangs could be perceived, and ‘the Coultiah remained as well as before: this experi- ment was repeated with the same result, though a little blood as well as poison was found on the _ part bitten. Some days after this, a Cobra de Biel (of the variety called Coodum Nagoo) was made to bite the Coultiah on the belly: both fangs visibly acted : blood appeared on the wound, but.no other consequence followed. A Yar Tutta, bitten im- mediately after in the same manner, died within two hours. Chickens and pigeons, bitten ni a atin ae Capello, whose fangs had been eradicated, suf- fered no symptoms of poison; but when poison, taken from the same snake, was imserted into their bodies, either by incision or puncture, they suffered the usual symptoms, and very often died. SPECTACLE SNAKE. AlS © The principal Indian varieties of this fatal snake are thus enumerated by Dr. Russel. 1. Arege Nagoo. With a pale central spot in the middle of each of the black spots of the spectacle-shaped mark.—/ Hi) ey SS LA = — Fam, wee = ACV HE = "ITN re & a N na) * SIV Al walt oF. —_——S= SS ——— —S i it Via MA i i i y TMM) , A) q uh VA apie anes LIO CRIMSON- SIDED SNAKE. Wu.Declr1London Lublihed by GKearsley I leet Street . « CRIMSON-SIDED 8NAKE, 4.93 scuta very narrow: colour of the whole animal rufous brown, with moderately distant, broadish, transverse, pale bands, each of which, at its junc- ture with the scuta, is marked by a white spot. Native of Ceylon according to Seba, who impro- perly calls it a kind of Cobra de Capello. It is uncertain whether it be a poisonous species or not, but it bears a highly malignant aspect. CRIMSON-SIDED SNAKE. Coluber Porphyriacus. C. nigro-violaceus, lateribus abdomineque purpureis, scutis nigro marginatis. ; Violet-black Snake, with the abdomen and sides crimson; the - scuta margined with black. : Coluber Porphyriacus. Zool. of New Holl, p. 27. pl. 10. _ Abdominal scuta 188, anal scuta 7, subcaudal squamz 435. A MODERATELY large, and highly beautiful species: general proportions nearly the same with those of the Col. Natrix, or common English Snake: head rather small, and covered in front with large scales: colour of the head and whole upper parts very fine deep violet: sides and ab- domen crimson, deepest on the former, the large scales nearest the scuta being carmine-coloured, with black tips: the abdomen rose-coloured, with a tinge of yellow, each scutum deeply edged with black; thus forming a beautiful series of transverse black bars down the abdomen: the tail measures about a sixth of the whole length, and is furnished beneath, exclusive of the divided 44 CRIMSON-SIDED SNAKE. subcaudal scales, with about seven scuta or un+ divided lamelle,. commencing immediately be- yond the vent, which is edged with several smaller Squamz: the colour of the under part of the tail is a blueish ash, the rose-colour of the abdomen ceasing at the commencement of the tail. I must here apologize for an inaccuracy in the description of this Snake in the Zoology of New Holland, where it is mentioned as destitute of fangs, and consequently innoxious ; the specimen then examined having been somewhat mutilated : others, however, which have been since received, are found to be furnished with those organs, and the animal is even said to be highly dreaded by the natives of Australasia. It furnishes an additional example of a poisonous snake with the head co- vered with large scales in front, and thus resembling the major part of the innoxious serpents. I must also add, that the figure in the Zoology of New Holland, though accurate in all other particulars, yet represents the animal somewhat too thick in proportion to its length; a fault which is amended in the representation given in the present work. AQ5 HAEMACHATE SNAKE, Coluber Hemachates. C. ruber, albo nebulatus, abdomine albo- Slavescente. Red Snake, clouded with white, with yellowish white abdo- men. . Serpens Asiatica Hemachates dicta. Seb. 2. t. 58. fig. 1, 3. LU’Hemachate. Cepede Serp. p. 115. pl. 3. f. 2. Abdominal scuta 132, subcaudal scales 43 pair. Aw elegant species ; swell represented by Seba, who informs us that it is a native of the East In- dies, having been received from Persia and Japan. Its general length is about two feet or more; its colour red, more or less deep in different indi- viduals, and sometimes of a brownish cast; va- riegated with white or whitish undulations, so as to appear as if marbled: under parts yeilow or whitish: head moderately large, and covered in front with large scales: tail extremely short, ta- pering toa point. It is, according to Cepede, a poisonous species. WATER VIPER. Coluber Aquaticus. C. fuscus, abdomine nigro flavoque fasciato. Brown Snake, with the abdomen banded with black and yel- low. : Water Viper. Catesb. Carol. 2. pl. 43. Luis serpent... says Catesby, ‘‘is called in Carolina the Water Rattle-Snake; not that it hath arattle, but is a large snake, and coloured not. eit, P. 11. 28 : al WATER VIPER. much unlike the Rattle-Snake, and the bite said to beas mortal. This Snake frequents the water, and is never seen at any great distance from it: the back and head are brown; the belly trans- versly marked with black and yellow alternately, as are the sides of the neck: the neck is small, the head large, and armed with the like destructive weapons as the Rattle-Snake: it is very nimble, and particularly dextrous in catching fish. In summer great numbers are seen lying on the. branches of trees hanging over rivers, from which at the approach of a boat they drop down into the water, and often into the boat, on the men’s heads: they lie in this manner to surprise either birds or fish, after which last they plunge, and pursue them with great swiftness, and catch some of a large size, which they carry on shore and swallow whole. One of these I surprised swimming ashore with a large cat-fish in its mouth. The tail is small towards the end, and terminates in a blunt horny point about half an inch in length, and which, though harmless, is considered as of dreadful effi- cacy by the credulous vulgar, who believe that the animal is able, with this weapon, not only to kill men and other animals, but even to destroy a tree by wounding it with’ it; the tree withering, turning black, and dying.” AQ7 WHITE SNAKE. Coluber Niveus. C. totus albus immaculatus. Snake entirely white, without any variegations. ‘Coluber niveus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 334. Abdominal scuta 209, subcaudal squame 62. ] OpsERvED by Linneus in the Museum of De- geer: colour entirely white, without any spots: said to be a native of Africa, and a poisonous species. Linnzus, in the Systema Nature, refers to the fifteenth plate of Seba’s second volume, which represents a moderately large snake of a white colour, with a few distant, small oblong black specks on the upper parts of the body, and which is rather supposed by Mr. Merrem to be a variety of the Coluber pullatus. MILK-WHITE SNAKE. Coluber Lacteus. C. albus, dorso macults atris geminatis, ver- tice atro linea longitudinal alba. White Snake, with the back marked by double black spots ; the head black with a longitudinal white line. Coluber Lacteus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 381. Abdominal scuta 203, subcaudal squame 32. Lrnetu of the specimen described by Linnzus about a foot and half: diameter scarcely that of a finger: head ovate, with the top black, marked by a longitudinal white line: eyes small: throat. white: trunk cylindric, white, marked with ALS BROAD-CHEEKED SNAKE, double black confluent spots of considerable size: abdomen livid or brownish: tail a ninth part of the whole length, and slightly tapering. Linneus observes that this species has somewhat the habit of the Anguis Scytale. Native of India and South America, and said to be poisonous. | BROAD-CHEEKED SNAKE, Coluber Buccatus. C. albidus maculis magnis dorsalibus dupli- catis fuscis, capite subdepresso, genis tumidis. Whitish Snake, with large double brown dorsal spots, subde- pressed head, and tumid cheeks. . Coluber Buccatus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 377. Abdominal scuta 107, subcaudal scales 72. A SMALL species; the specimen described by Linneus measuring about a foot in length: head large, very thick on the sides, flattish, white, and — marked by a trigonal dusky spot over the snout, and by a dusky line reaching to the eye on each side: trunk white or whitish, marked all along the back by a double row of very broad brown spots, which almost fill the whole space of the skin: tail rather slender; measuring about a fourth of the whole: native of South America and of India: a poisonous species. ‘ys 429 FIERCE SNAKE. Coluber Atrox. C. griseus, fasctis transversis hnearibus albidis, abdomine_fusco albo transversim variato. | _ Grey-brown Snake, with transverse linear whitish stripes, and dusky abdomen with white transverse variegations. Coluber Atrox. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 388. Mus, Ad. Frid. p. 33. t. 22. f. 2 Abdominal scuta 196, subcaudal scales 69. Tuts, according to Linnzus, is a small species, measuring about a foot and a half in length, and of a grey colour, marbled beneath with transverse alternate deep brown spots: the head is depressed, compressed, and covered with very small scales, which, as well as the larger ones on the rest of the animal, are carinated. In the Aduseum = MOURNING SNAKE. vas? Seip: Ldtul « O10Cnt : MAX: Scha . 1802 Janis London Publith'd bv CHcarslerv Ploet Soct. iy Bem die et a : —— 7 MOURNING SNAKE. ASS the scales on the yellow parts being also tipped here and there with brown: this is said by Seba to be a native of Ceylon. A more extraordinary variety, if Mr. Merrem’s - eonjecture be right, is the Coluber Petzcoatl, Seb. 2. t, 84. It is of a-fine yellow, with a pretty strong tinge of orange on the back, and several transverse bands of similar colour on different parts of the body: it is of large size, and is de- scribed as being very glossy or smooth, and as a native of Mexico, inhabiting hollow trees, &c. _ the back appears pretty strongly carinated. | If we were inclined to follow Mr. Merrem’s ex- - ample in thus extending supposed varieties, we _ might proceed a step farther, and refer the Ana Candaja, Seb. 2. t. 83. to the same species: its ge- neral proportions, and form of scales, are similar, but its colour is pale blue, with the abdomen white: it is a native of Ceylon, and is said so grow to a very large size, and to be able to kill - cattle by strangling them. | VAR.? Tue Coluber Haje of Linneeus appears, from the short description given in the Systema Natura, to be so extremely nearly allied to the pudlatus both in size and colour, as well as in the number of its scuta and squame, that it is impossible not to suppose it the same animal: yet the Haje is said _ by Forskal to be a poisonous species, which the pullatus is not. 456 : LARGE-SCALED SNAKE. Coluber Macrolepidotus. C. plumbeus, squamis dorsalibus maxi- mis elongatis, abdomine albido fusco transversim fasciato. Lead-coloured Snake, with extremely large elongated dorsal — scales, and whitish abdomen, with broad transverse bands. DeEscrRiBED from a specimen in the Museum of Dr. William Hunter: general habit that of the pul- latus: size of a large Natrix: head covered with large scales: remainder of the upper parts with extremely large long scales, exceeding in propor- tional size those of any other known serpent; those near the ridge of the back, in particular, measure three quarters of an inch in length; their disposi- tion is obliquely backwards: colour on the upper parts blueish, the black skin of the body appearing, as it were, to edge the scales with that colour: under parts blueish white, with extremely broad, brown, transverse bands at intervals, so that. the abdomen may be described either as brown with white bands, or vice versa: tail of moderate length, taper, round, and covered with hexagonal scales: native place unknown. AST CARINATED SNAKE. Coluber Carinatus. C. plumbeus, syuamis magnis ovatis porosis, abdomine albido, dorso carinato. Lead-coloured Snake, with large ovate porous scales, whitish abdomen, and carinated back. Coluber carinatus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 384. Abdominal scuta 157, subcaudal scales 115. A LARGE species, growing to five or six feet in length, and of a moderate thickness: head rather small, with large scales in front: tail tapering gradually to a point: back much carinated, rising into a ridge on the top: colour deep blueish brown or cinereous, paler or whitish underneath: scales very large, and marked with numerous impressed points, as if pierced with pin-holes: under parts whitish: native of North America: a harmless species: varies as to colour, which is sometimes blueish black, and sometimes cinereous with a rufous cast: scales often pale or whitish towards the tips. ¥. Zil. P; TI, 30 A58& MOLURUS SNAKE. Coluber Molurus. C. crassus pallidus, maculis magnis irregula- ribus rufis margine fuscis variatus, cauda brevt. : Thick-bodied pale Snake, with large irregular rufous variega~ tions edged with brown, and short tail. Coluber Molurus. Ln. Syst. Nat. p. 387. Abdominal scuta 248, subcaudal scales 59. A LARGE snake, with the general habit of a.Boa rather than a Coluber, being of very considerable thickness in proportion to its length: head rather large; snout lengthened, like that of the Boa canina, and covered with large scales: tail short, gradually tapering to a point: colour of the whole animal whitish or grey, clouded with large irre- gular rufous variegations bordered with brown: under parts white. Native of India: not poison- ous: grows to the length of five or six feet. COPPER-BELLIED SNAKE. ~ Coluber Erythrogaster. C. fuscus, abdomine cupreo, Brown Snake, with copper-coloured abdomen. Coluber erythrogaster. Forst. Catal. Catesb. Carol. 2. t. 46. THE Copper-bellied Snake is a native of North America, and is thus described by Catesby in his History of Carolina: ‘‘'These snakes sometimes ap- proach near to the size of the Rattle-Snake: they are of a brown colour, except their bellies, which are of a muddy red or copper colour: they fre- quent the water, and very probably prey on fish; LO. Wt NY M, i\\ i onal i} p elt Yf fh ip y}) A le lot CHIE is Nt Ny Gf UOPUO T Tuo gor ‘DANG PUD - *JIODLE?- II J SIPSLOZ TA Hl idl ‘| | I) MI) \\ AY 3 VAN \ Z 5 Ly WAN ‘ S a2 y i ie \ ~ \\ WY QMX \\\ \ Ls CK ( Mi a ‘ . C OPPER-BELLIED SNAKE. wba Jar“i London Lublijhd by Glearstey Fleet Streer . { GIT. CUPREOUS SNAKE. 459 but birds and such other animals as they are able to overcome they devour; frequently entering the houses of poultry, sucking the eggs, and devour- ing the fowls: they are bold, nimble, and active, but are generally reputed not venomous, and have no fangs like the viper kind. I never observed their colours to vary.” Mr. Catesby’s figure re- presents the head covered with large scales: and the tail remarkably thick, short, and obtuse. CUPREOUS SNAKE. Coluber Acontia. C. cupreus, squamis albo carinatis, abdonune Jtavo rubro maculato. Copper-coloured Snake, with the scales carinated by a white line, and abdomen yellow with red spots. Serpens Acontias, sive Jaculus Americanus, &c. Seb. 2. t. 64. f0 1. In its general appearance this snake, according to Seba’s figure, bears a considerable resemblance to the Copper-belly of Catesby, but the head is larger, and covered with small scales, the neck thinner, and the tail somewhat more taper: the whole upper parts are of a light copper colour, each scale marked by a white streak or carina: the abdomen is yellow, spotted on the edges with small red specks. rom the size of the head, and its being covered with small scales, it should seem that this is a poisonous species. It is a native of the island of Santa Cruz. 460 SURINAM SNAKE. Coluber Surinamensis. C. cinereus, subtus subflavescens, ee Sascus ferrugineis subundulatis transverses cincto. Cinereous Snake, yellowish beneath, with the body surrounded by somewhat undulated transverse ferruginous bands. Anguis Surinamensis sonum edens, Seb. 2. t. 59. f. 2. Aw elegant species: length about three feet and a half: habit moderately stout or thick: head ra- ther large, and furnished with largish scales in front: colour of the whole animal -cinereous, marked from-the neck to the end of the tail with moderately broad, equidistant, and somewhat un- dulated rufous-yellow bands or zones entirely sur- rounding the body: tail of moderate length, gra- dually tapering to the extremity: said to be a native of Surinam: allied in habit to the Coluber angulatus. CORN SNAKE. Coluber Carolinianus. C.flavescens, maculis magnis ferrugineis albo nigroque marginatis, abdomine nigro variato. Yellowish Snake, with large ferruginous spots with black and white margins; and abdomen variegated with black. Corn Snake. Catesb. Carol. 2. pl. 55. Tuts is a highly beautiful animal, arriving sometimes at a very considerable size, and mea- suring five feet or more in length,, though com- monly seen much smaller. Its habit or genera. ‘ JOIBE PYY ANYSLOYT I AY BY YIN J UopUoy l,uop rogr ME Pua YW Ht ti a Pal li Hu N “AN LN | \ a {\ N NY RAR Van HAR \ % \\\ AN “oe © qOV NG WY NIWG iS | \ ‘hell ) | i i hi il isn ni Ih ith mM inn ‘ ‘ 4 - Nay , n R y 2 . : b Je ‘ é " s “ é ) i A ‘ . Xi es 4 a » Mi . . U J e A 7 ' ; i ' ; the : ; ‘i 7 7 *, s = * { . | ; g f t A f . ‘ " : a Is) CORN. SNAKE. CORN SNAKE. 461 form resembles that of the Natrir, or common English Snake, and its general colour is pale whitish yellow, ornamented on the upper parts with numerous large and somewhat irregular ovate patches of very bright ferruginous, bor- dered with black or deep brown, with a few small white spots intermixed: these spots or patches are largest on the back, and smallest on the sides, where they are accompanied by still smaller specks of black: the under parts are whit- ish, tinged with yellow, and varied here and there by irregularly angular blackish patches. Like most other snakes, it appears more or less bril- tiantly coloured at different periods, and 1s most beautiful after having cast its skin: the ground- colour is sometimes suffused with a tinge of purple, which adds a peculiar beauty to its appearance. It is of an innocent nature, and is principally found in woods. It is a native of North America, and in particular of Carolina. Mr. Catesby de- scribes it under the name of the Corn Snake, which he tells us is given it from a fancied resemblance of its colour to those of some kinds of Indian corn or maize. It is, according to Catesby, ‘‘ a great robber of hen-roosts.” His figure represents it as of a subferruginous yellow, with reddish brown dorsal spots and variegations. It is sometimes called by the name of the Beech Snake. The Com- pressed Snake of Mr. Merrem, 2. pl. 11. appears much allied to this in general appearance. 469 TEXTILE SNAKE. Coluber Textilis. C. griseo-flavescens, nigro irroratus, fascis nu- merosis undulatis rubro-ferrugineis transversis. Yellowish-grey Snake, freckled with black, and marked by nu- merous, undulated, transverse, bright-ferruginous stripes. Serpens Brasiliensis textilis. Seb. 2. ¢. 67.f. 3. Serpens Surinamensis elegans. Seb. 2. #. 31. fi ks Serpens Ammodytes Americana flammifera. Seb. 2. & 31.0 2. A RATHER large and very elegant species, re- presented on some of Seba’s plates, but not refer- rible to any Linnean species: general habit that of the Natrix: ground colour yellowish grey, with numerous, pretty closely-placed, transverse, irregularly angular bands of bright ferruginous or dusky red, scattered over, as is also the ground- colour, with numerous black specks of different sizes: head rufous, covered with large scales: under parts throughout the whole length pale yellow: tail very slender and sharp-pointed: na- tive of Brasil, Surinam, and other parts of South America, WAMPUM SNAKE. Coluber Fasciatus. C. ceruleus, subtus pallidior ceruleo luci- diore variatus. Blue Snake, paler and variegated with brighter blue beneath. Wampum Snake. Catesb. Carol. 2. pl. 58 Coluber fasciatus? Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 378. Fasciated Snake. Nat. Misc. vol. 8. pl. 266. Abdominal scuta 128? subcaudal scales 67 ? Tuts, which is one of the handsomest of the North American snakes, is described and figured by Catesby, but as that author lived at a period when the rules of modern natural history were in a great degree unknown, he seems to have given a ge- neral rather than a minutely accurate representa- tion of the animal; his figure not expressing the abdominal and subcaudal scuta and squame. The Wampum Snake, he informs us, is of a dark blue above, the belly being finely clouded with brighter blue: the head small in proportion to the body : he adds, that it is an innocent species, and some- times grows to the length of five feet, retaining its colours and marks throughout all periods of its growth. It receives its common title of the Wampum Snake from its colours, which resemble those of the strings of Indian money called Wam- pum, composed of shells cut into regular pieces, ‘and strung with a mixture of blue and white. It is a native of Carolina and Virginia. AGA BLACK SNAKE. Coluber Constrictor. C. totus niger, lucidus, longissimus. Shining-black Snake, with very long slender body. Black Snake. Catesb. Carol. 2. pl. 48. Coluber Constrictor. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 385. Abdominal scuta 186, subcaudal scales 92. ‘‘Tuis,” says Catesby, ‘‘ is a large and very long snake; some being six feet in length: they are all over of a shining black, never changing their colour, and are very nimble and beneficial in killing rats, which they pursue with wonderful agility to the roofs and all parts of houses and barns, where rats are able to run, for which ser- vice they are preserved by most of the inhabi- tants: they are bold and furious, leaping at and biting those that attack them, though no harm ensues ; their bite not being venomous: it is com- monly said in. Carolina that they will attack and swallow Rattle-Snakes: it is certain most or all snakes will devour one another, not only of their own but of other kinds, which I have often seen ; one, after a long struggle, swallowing another but little less than itself. ‘They are the most nume- rous of all snakes.” 7 | ‘¢ Many ridiculous, frights,” says Mr. Pennant, ‘* have happened from this innocent reptile. As every one in America is full of the dread of the Rattle-Snake, they are apt to fly at the sight o¢ any of the serpent kind. This pursues, soon over- takes, and twisting round the legs of the fugitive, 1 , \\ 4 rn = — 7 4 , ) ~ te 7 »] . ™ 4 5 ‘ ; ood ip ° Kl NA ( S pS) VED R - HEA 3 A “VII S x N Ler COTS: 802 Jan?2 London Publjhid by CK VIPER-HEADED SNAKE. 465 soon brings him to the ground; but he happily receives no hurt, but what may result from the fright; all the mischief this species does is to the housewives, for it will skim their milk-pans of the cream, and rob their hen-roosts of all the eggs.” —Arct. Zool. Append. p. 92. VIPER-HEADED SNAKE. Coluber Viperinus. C. albido-griseus, fascus transversis nigrt- cantibus apice bifidis macula capitis bifurcata nigra, abdomine _utrinque fusco maculato. Pale-grey Snake, with blackish brown transverse bands, bifid towards their extremities, head marked by a bifurcated black spot, and sides of the abdomen spotted with brown. Abdominal scuta 166, subcaudal scales 87. Tus species is described by Seba, and is an animal of considerable elegance: its length is about three feet : its habit moderately slender, yet strong, and its colour very pale grey or whitish, fasciated throughout its whole length, by nearly equidistant black or very deep-brown bands, which, as in the Linnean Coluber A’sculapii, are divided beneath about half way upwards by a nar- row white stripe: the head is covered in front with large scales, and marked on the top by a black patch of similar form to that on the head of the Viper, except that the two divisions are more acute: on each side the head, across the eyes, is a longitudinal black stripe, communicating with the first dorsal bar; and the tip of the nose is also 466 PLICATILE SNAKE. the same colour: on the abdominal scuta are scat- tered a few small blackish or dusky spots of dif- ferent size and shape: the skin is smooth and glossy. Seba considers this snake as a kind of Viper, but, according to the observations of Mr. Merrem, it is destitute of fangs, and is. conse- quently an innocuous species. It is a native of America. PLICATILE SNAKE, Coluber Plicatilis. C. fusco-flavescens, subtus pallidus, fascia utrinque lateral fusco-ferruginea albido maculata, Yellowish-brown Snake, pale beneath, with a lateral dusky - stripe on each side the body marked by a row of white spots. Coluber plicatilis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 376. Mus. Ad. Frid. p. 23. Serpens Bali-Salan-Boekit. Seb. 1. t. 57. f. 5. Abdominal scuta 131, subcaudal scales 46. A MODERATELY large species, generally mea- suring between two and three feet, or more, in length: colour yellowish brown, with a dusky, and sometimes reddish, lateral stripe immediately above the scuta, formed by a row of confluent dusky spots with white centres: abdomen pale, marked with three, and sometimes four, rows of small dusky spots: head covered in front with large scales: snout obtuse: tail thick, and rather obtuse. The specimen of this snake described by Linneus in the Museum Adolphi Friderict seems to have been rather small. The Count de Cepede informs us, that the specimen in the King of CHAIN SNAKE. 407 France’s Museum measured more than six feet i length. | CHAIN SNAKE. Coluber Getulus. C. nigro-violaceus, fasctis angustis transversis distantibus luteis, super latera bifidis, in abdomine tessellatis. Blackish-violet Snake, with narrow, distant, transverse, gold- coloured bands, divaricating on the sides, and tesselated on the abdomen. Coluber Getulus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 382. ‘Chain Snake. Catesb. Carol: 2. pl. 52. Abdominal scuta 215, subcaudal scales 44. One of the most elegant of the North Ameri- can snakes, as well as the most singular in its pattern: its general length is about three feet, and its proportions nearly those of the common Eng- lish Snake:: the colour of the whole animal is an extremely deep violet, so dark as to appear black on a cursory view, while throughout the whole length, from the head to the end of the tail, are regularly disposed numerous, equidistant, trans- verse rings or narrow bands of a bright yellow colour, each dividing on the sides before it passes under the abdomen, and being of an irregularly angular outline, more especially on the abdomen, which, in consequence, appears as if tesselated with square yellow spots: the head is small, of a somewhat angular shape, and covered in front, as in most other innocent snakes, with large scales: the tail is of moderate length, measuring about a fifth part of the whole, and gradually tapers A68 BROAD-NOSED SNAKE. to the extremity. This snake is found in Caro- lina, Virginia, &c. frequenting moist woods, and shady places, and preying on Lizards, &c. In the British Museum is a large specimen which appears to have been taken in the act of swallowing a pretty large lizard (Ameiva), and in consequence of which the jaws are full as much dilated as those of the Coluber corallinus figured in a similar situa- tion by Seba, and represented also in the present work, BROAD-NOSED SNAKE. Coluber Platurinus. C. albus fusco-maculatus, corpore fasctts latis fuscis annulato. White Snake, spotted with brown, and annulated with broad brown zones. Serpens Guineensis rarissima Millio dicta. Seb. 2. ¢. 83. f. 3? A HANDSOME species: habit somewhat resem- bling that of the Ce/. Natriv, but the tail rather more slender in proportion: back slightly ca- rinated, sides somewhat sloping, and abdomen flattish: colour of the whole animal an equal va- riegation of broad blackish-brown and _ white bands, equidistant from each other, and entirely surrounding the respective parts: the white bands are spotted with black: head rather large than small, covered with large scales of a black-brown colour, elegantly separated from each other by in-~ ‘tervening white spaces, so that the head appears marked with large black spots on a white ground: jie FULVOUS SNAKE. 469. nose abrupt or truncated: tail very long, slender, and gradually tapering to the extremity: length of the whole animal about three feet and a half: scales of moderate size, ovate, and not carinated. Described from a specimen in the Museum of Dr. William Hunter. Native country unknown. FULVOUS SNAKE. Coluber Fulvus. C. fulvus, fusco maculatus, corpore fasctis ni- gris annulato, cauda brevissima. Fulvous Snake, spotted with brown, and annulated with black- ish zones, with very short tail. Coluber fulvus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 381. Abdominal scuta 218, subcaudal scales 31. . Very much allied in the disposition of its colours to the preceding; the body being marked by alternate black and yellowish zones, the yel- lowish parts spotted with ferruginous: length about a foot and half: tail very short, being scarcely more than a twelfth of the whole length: the head is brown above, and covered with large scales. Native of North America. ATO - SHORT-TAILED SNAKE. Coluber Brachiurus. C. ferrugineus, subtus albido-flavescens, squamis subhexagonis, cauda obtusa brevissima. Ferruginous Snake, yellowish white beneath, with subhexa- gonal scales, and extremely short obtuse tail. Coluber albus? Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 378. Mus. Ad. Frid. p. 24. hia fy he an Stumpfschwdnzigte Natter. Merrem Beytr. 2. p. 30. €. 37. Abdominal scuta 170, subcaudal scales 26. DeEscRIBED from a specimen in the Museum of Dr. William Hunter. Length about a foot and half: habit resembling that of the genus Anguis : head of similar diva with the aoe and body, but slightly tapering at the nose, and covered in front with large ecthe those on the remainder of the upper parts all hexagonal, and rather large in proportion to the size of the animal: colour ferru- gious brown, the skin appearing between the scales: beneath yellowish white: scuta narrow: tail extremely short, scarce measuring two inches, and tapering pretty suddenly to an obtuse point. Native country unknown. : This seems to be the species described and fig alibi by Mr. Merrem under the title of cava foedli sigte Natter, and which he, with great proba- bility, supposes to be the Coluber albus of Lin- neus, the description in the Museum Adolphi Fri- derict agreeing in all particulars except that of colour, and it appears pretty clearly that Linnezeus BLUE-GREEN SNAKE. 4:71 must have described a specimen which had lost its colour by being long preserved in spirits. Its na- tive country, according to Linneus, is India. BLUE-GREEN SNAKE. Coluber Viridissimus. C. cwruleo-viridissimus, dorso subpurpui'= ascente, abdomine subalbente, scutis medio dilatatis. Vivid blue-green Snake, with a tinge of purple on the back, and whitish abdomen with the scuta dilated towards the middle. , Coluber viridissimus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 388. Mus. Ad. Frid. 2. p. 46. : Serpens Surinamensis Flosculus dictus. Seb. 2. t. 67. f. 1, 2. Serpens Americana cerulea Dipsas dicta? Seb. 2. t. 3. f. 2. Abdominal scuta 217, subcaudal scales 122. _ A very elegant species, of middling size, grow- ing to the length of about three feet : head slightly obtuse, of moderate size, covered with very large scaly plates: remainder of the upper parts with ovate scales: colour of the whole animal a very fine strong blue-green, with a suffusion of purple combined, especially towards the back: abdomen pale or whitish green : tail of moderate length, and slender. Linnzus observes that the abdominal scuta are of a wider or more dilated form in the middle than in other snakes: the colour appears to vary, so as to exhibit more or less of the blue tinge, which sometimes becomes the predominant colour, and in such specimens the abdomen is paler or whiter than in others. There can be little doubt but that the specimens figured on plate 67 472 LUTRIX SNAKE. of the second volume of Seba, under the name of Flosculus, are of this kind; the colour being pale blue, with a slight tinge of violet down the back, and the abdomen white. This beautiful snake is a native of Surinam, and is a harmless species. _ LUTRIX SNAKE. Coluber Lutrix. C. plumbeus, dorso aurantio, abdomine flavo. Lead-coloured Snake, with orange-coloured back and yellow abdomen. Coluber Lutrix. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 275. : Serpens eximia Africana crocea, fronte albo. Seb. 2. t. 86.f. 5. Duberria, Seb. 2. ¢.1. f. 6? Abdominal scuta 134, subcaudal scales 27. Tuts is a small but elegant Snake, usually mea- suring nine or ten inches or near a foot in length, and being rather thick in proportion: the colour is described by Linneus as yellow above and be- neath, and blueish on the sides: he quotes, how- ever, no figure as a representative of the species, but. it is probably the Serpens eximia Africana crocea fronte albo of Seba, vol. 2. pl. 86. f. 5. which is said by that author to be of an orange- colour above, with the upper part of the head and the abdomen white. It also seems to be the Du- berria of the same author, figured at pl. 1. f. 6. which is described as blue above, with a middle range of small red specks, brown on the sides, and cinereous yellow beneath, and supposed by Seba to be a native of Ceylon, as the orange- woe = = LUTRIX SNAKE. A473 coloured one was of Africa. Linnzus assigns India as the native country of his animal. It pro- bably varies in colour, a specimen in the British Museum being entirely of a lead-colour above, and white beneath: the scuta very narrow, and forming a white vitta or band down the whole under part of the animal, edged on each side by a line of subtrigonal black spots with descending points; the whole agreeing most accurately with the first-mentioned figure in Seba, though differ- ing as to colours. To this I may add, that in Sir Hans Sloane’s copy of that work, now in the British Museum, the above figure is coloured as in the specimen just mentioned, in opposition to the printed description of the author, in which there may probably have been some mistake. VAR. ? Schmahlbauchigte Natter. Merrem Beytr. 1. p.7. t. 1. Turs, which is described and figured by Mer- rem, is perhaps no other than a variety of the Lutrix, differing only in having the tail rather more obtuse than in the Seban figures above men- tioned: its colour is said by Merrem to be pale chocolate-brown above, blueish on the sides, and yellow on the abdomen: the abdominal scuta 117, and the subcaudal scales 38. Ve-Lii,. P. 11, al ATA GRAPHIC SNAKE. Coluber Graphicus. C. cinereus, supra lineis nigrieantibus cha- racteriformibus notatus, abdomine pallido fusco variato. Cinereous Snake, marked above with blackish characteriform lines, and pale abdomen variegated with brown. Serpens de Moculo Americana. Seb. 2. t. 75. f. 3.? Abdominal scuta 143, subcaudal scales 73. S1zE of Berus: colour above glaucous, with a tinge of ferruginous, and marked all over the back and sides with narrow black characteriform streaks in different directions, and edged on their exterior side with small longitudinal whitish marks, the edges of the scales being of that co- lour: abdomen pale or white, the edges or sides of the scuta (and in some parts the middle) marked with large square blackish-brown patches: tail long and slender, abdomen separated from the upper parts by a very distinct side-line: head scarce larger than the neck, of a longish form, and covered with large scales: behind each eye a large and long triangular dark patch, including an oval white one: described from a specimen in the British Museum. It also occurs in the Mu- seum of Dr. Hunter. ATS COACH-WHIP SNAKE... Coluber Flagellum. C. longissimus, gracillimus, fuscus, abdo- mine pallido, Extremely long, slender, brown Snake, with pale abdomen. Coach-Whip Snake. Catesb. Carol. 2. pl. 54. Tuis is a very long and slender species, mea- suring from four to six feet or more in length: its colour is an uniform dusky brown, palest beneath: | it is, according to Catesby, its first describer, *“ very active and nimble, running very swiftly : inoffensive; yet the Indians report, not without gaining many proselytes to their silly belief, that it will, by a jerk of its tail, separate a man in two parts.” It is a native of North America, and not uncommon in Carolina and Virginia. CENCHOA SNAKE. Coluber Cenchoa. C. albidus gracilis, fasciis transversis rhombea- tis fuscis, capite subgloboso, — Slender whitish Snake, with transverse rhomboidal brown bands, and subelobose head. Coluber Cenchoa. Lin, Syst. Nat. p. 389. Anguis de Cencoatl Americanus, Sed. 2. t. 16.f. 2, 3. Abdominal scuta 210, subcaudal scales 124. A REMARKABLE species, growing sometimes to the length of three or even four feet, yet scarcely exceeding the thickness of a swan quill: head very large, and nearly globular: neck extremely 476 CLOUDED SNAKE. thin: tail very long, measuring near a third part of the whole animal, and: gradually tapering to the extremity : colour white or yellowish, marked throughout the whole upper part from head to the end of the tail, with numerous transverse rhom- boidal bars or patches of brown, the points de- scending on each side. CLOUDED SNAKE, Coluber Nebulatus. C. subflavescens maculis irregularibus fuscis nebulatus, abdomine pallido fusco maculato. Yellowish Snake, clouded with irregular brown spots, with pale abdomen speckled with brown. Coluber nebulatus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 388. Serpens Ceilonica maculata. Seb. 1. ¢. 100. f. 4. Serpens Dipsas lentiginosa Amboinensis. Seb. 2. ¢. 44. f. 2? Abdominal scuta 185, subcaudal scales 81. S1zE moderate, measuring about two feet in. length: habit rather slender: head rather large, and covered with large scales: tail of middling length, tapering rather suddenly from the body, and gradually decreasing to the tip : colour of the whole animal yellowish brown, clouded with irre- gular deep-brown or blackish variegations, form- ing a sort of bands nearly surrounding the body, with smaller spots and frecklings intermixed: under parts pale, speckled with brown: native of America: well figured in the work of Seba. The Coluber Zeylonicus, of the Gmelinian edition of the Systema Nature can hardly be considered as dis- tinct from the present species. A77 ORNAMENTED SNAKE. Coluber Ornatus. C. nigerrimus, maculis albis flosculosis abdo- mine albo. Jet-black Snake, with white flower-shaped spots and white ab- domen. ; Serpens Jaculus Amboinensis perelegans. Seb. 2.t.7.f. 1. Serpens Ceilanica pomposa veste ornata. Seb. 2. ¢. 61. f. 2. Serpens Ceilonica elegantissima. Seb. 1. ¢. 94.f. 7. A very elegant and singular species: habit long and flagelliform ; measuring about three feet or more in length: colour of the upper parts jet black, with white variegations, of which those on the head and fore parts, for the length of a few inches, generally consist of transverse white bars, while those on the remainder are disposed into the form of rounded or ovate spots of different sizes, and representing either rosaceous or tetrapetalous flowers scattered over the surface, and accom- panied by smailer simple spots and specklings: abdomen white: head rather small than large, and of a longish form: tail rather long, slender, and tapering to a sharp point: native of some of the West-Indian islands, Martinico, &c. and, ac- cording to Seba, of the East-Indian islands also, as Ceylon and Java. The pattern varies a little in different individuals, but the general appear- ance is very similar in all. 478 VAR? SEBA describes and figures a snake extremely allied to the above in general appearance and pro- — portions, but of very different colours ; the ground- colour being a yellowish green, with the upper parts not variegated with floscular spots, but by numerous, short, double, red, transverse bands: a snake of this kind is preserved in the British Mu- seum, but, from having been long preserved in spirits, exhibits only a yellowish white ground- colour with dusky variegations. See Seba 2. 7. SOs Fo: &, PINTADO SNAKE. Coluber Meleagris. C. niger, ulbo confertim punctatus, abdo~ mine albo, — Black Snake, thickly speckled with white, and with white ab-_ domen. Serpens Ceilonica excellentissima eleganter picta, Seb. 2. teu fad Serpens Babylonica Cenchrus dicta. Seb, 2. ¢. 52.f. 3, Serpens Hispalensis frontem pre se ferens venustissimam, Seb. 2. t. 56. f. 2. ALLIED in some degree to the preceding, but a perfectly distinct species: habit long and slender, measuring about two feet in length: colour above jet black, marked in a rhomboid pattern with nu- merous small roundish white specks, regularly dis- posed by fours over the whole upper surface, tul MILIARY SNAKE. A479 the commencement of the tail, where they become single, and are scattered over that part to the tip: abdomen white: head rather small and short, but rather sharp-snouted: white, with black variega- tions, a stripe passing across the nose, and a se- cond across the eyes: the beginning of the neck, or rather the back part of the head, marked by a pair of short longitudinal white streaks; tail of moderate length, tapering rather suddenly from the vent, and from thence gradually to the tip: described from a beautiful specimen in the Leve- rian Museum: Seba represents this species as a native of Ceylon, &c. | MILIARY SNAKE. Coluber Miliaris. C. fuscus, albo punctatus, abdomine albo. Brown Snake, speckled with white, and with white abdomen. Coluber Miliaris. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 380. Abdominal scuta 162, subcaudal scales 59, Lenertu about a foot and half: thickness of a finger: colour on the upper parts brown, each scale marked by a white spot: beneath white: head ovate, with glaucous scales blackish in the middle: lips marked by dusky streaks: tail about a fifth of the whole length, and not very slender : native of South America. A80 PEARLY SNAKE. Coluber Perlatus. C. perlaceus, capite caudaque thalassinis, ver- tice rubro, | Pearl-coloured Snake, with sea-green head and tail; the for- mer marked by a red spot. Serpens ex Nova Hispania, a J. Fabro Lynceo, p. 774, delineata & descripta sub nomine Hispanico Iztag. Seb. 2. t. 57. f. 2. Lreneru about two feet and a half: habit ra- ther thick than slender, except towards the end of the tail, which gradually tapers to a very slen- der point: body pearl-coloured, the edges of the scales being black ; thus forming reticular cross- ings of that colour: head large, of a sea-green colour, and covered with small scales, except about the nose, and between the eyes: on the top of the head a large deep red spot pointing back- wards: tail of moderate length, sea-green, with a few distant, scattered black spots: abdomen grey: - native of New Spain. eel MARBLED SNAKE. Serpens bucculenta Beeotica. Seb. 2. t. 57. f. 3. Leneru about three feet, and rather thick in proportion to its length: colour of the upper parts brown, variegated with white clouds: abdomen clouded in a similar manner: head rather thick, covered with large scales: those on the body ra- AMMOBATES. A8i ther large and of an ovate shape: tail about a third of the whole length, very thick at its origin, but gradually tapering to a slender point: native of Beeotia. AMMOBATES. Coluber Ammobates Africanus ex Guinea. Seb, 2. t. 78. f. 2. Lenera about three feet and a half, and mo- derately thick in proportion: colour a uniform deep blueish grey, both above and beneath, with a row of moderately distant, round, dusky spots on each side the body near the abdomen: head rather large, covered with large scales, and of a rufous brown above: the scales on the whole upper parts of the body and tail are rather large, of an ovate shape, and finely fimbriated on the edges; tail of moderate length, and tapering to the extremity, but not very slender: native, ac- cording to Seba, of Guinea. 482 CROSSED SNAKE. Coluber Crucifer. C. albus serie dorsal triplict macularum nigra- rum, intermedius cruciatis. | White Snake, with a triple dorsal series of black spots, those of the middle range cross-shaped. Serpens Ceilonica crucifera. Seb. 2. t. 12. f. 2. Perlfarbne Natter. Merrem Beytr. 2. t. 9. Abdominal scuta 484, subcaudal scales 66. A SMALLISH species, of about a foot and a half in length: head rather small, and covered with large scales: neck slender: body of moderate thickness: tail tapering gradually to the extre- mity, which is slightly pointed: colour of the whole animal white, with a pearly tinge, and marked along the back by a series of small black spots in the form of a St. Andrew’s Cross: along each side is also a row of black spots, but less distinctly cross-shaped than those of the middle range: abdomen white, each fourth or fifth scu- . tum being marked at its edge or juncture with _ the sides by a black spot: head marked by black sutures. This species is, according to Seba, a native of Ceylon. ae - ' BL? i a. IN?‘ HH | Wy Hi LL: Dil x PERUVIAN SNAKE. 2802 Janiz1London Publjnd by 6Mearstey Fleet Sarcet. 485 PERUVIAN SNAKE. Coluber Peruvianus. C. albo nigroque tariatus, abdomine roseo. Black-and-white Snake, with rose-coloured abdomen. Serpens Peruviana elegantissima & rara. Seb. 2. ¢. 21. f. 1. Tuts highly elegant Snake is described by Seba, who informs us that it is a native of Peru, and a rare species in European collections: the upper part of the animal is variegated with black and white spots and marks; the sides tinged with yellowish red, while the belly or under part is of a light red or rose-colour: it is said to be an innocent spe- cies, and to be chiefly found in New Spain: it is one of those snakes which do not appear to be de- scribed by Linnzeus, nor is the number of its scuta and squame known: its size seems to be nearly that of the common English Snake, but its form is rather thicker in proportion. Mr. Merrem con- siders it as a variety of the Colluber pullatus, but the peculiar form of its scales, and some other cir- cumstances, seem to forbid this supposition. The original specimen itself seems to have been in the Linkian collection at Leipzig; since it is figured, apparently from the same drawing with Seba’s, in the Physica Sacra of Scheuchzer, vol. 7. t. 630. 484 BANDED SNAKE. Coluber Pethola. C. fusco-ferrugineus fascus transversis an- gustis albidis, abdomine albido. Ferruginous-brown Snake, with narrow transverse whitish bands, and whitish abdomen. Coluber Pethola. Lin, Syst. Nat. p. 387. Coluber petalarius. Lin, Syst. Nat. p. 387. Mus. Ad. Frid. P.O by Gufs Qe Abdominal scuta 209, subcaudal scales 90, Leyeru from two to four feet: colour brown or ferrugious above; pale or white beneath; the colour of the upper part being transversly divided at equidistant intervals by narrow stripes or lines -of white running upwards from the abdomen across the back, and thus marking the brown upper part into so many extremely broad zones: head rather small, covered in front with large scales, and marked above by a large, oblong, brown patch: tail of moderate length, tapering to a fine point. This species occasionally varies as to the form of its zones, which in some spect- mens appear rather like rhomboid transverse patches. It is a native of Africa. The C. Peta- larius of the Mus. Ad. Frid. can hardly be con- sidered as a species distinct from this. A85 LEMNISCATED SNAKE. . Coluber Lemniscatus. C. albo-flavescens, zonis saint fusco- Serrugineis. _ Yellowish-white Snake, with triple ferrugineous-brown bands. Coluber lemniscatus. Lin. Syst, Nat. p. 286. Serpens, &c. Seb. 2.¢. 10. f. 4. Serpens annulatus, &c. Seb. 1. ¢. 27. Hie A. Abdominal scuta 250, subcaudal scales 35. Tuts is a species of considerable elegance, being of a slender habit, and of a white or yellowish co- lour, marked throughout the whole length, at equal distances, by triple zones of black or deep brown entirely surrounding the body, and each separated from the next adjoining one by a nar- row white stripe or line of the ground-colour: the head is rather small, covered with large scales and marked across the snout by a double zone, of which the smallest division passes across the nos- trils, and the largest across the eyes: the tail is rather short, and gradually tapers to the tip: the whole animal is of a smooth or shining surface: it sometimes varies in the colour of its zones, which, in a specimen represented by Seba, are purple. It is a native of several parts of Asia. 486 LINNZAN SNAKE. ’ Coluber Linnzi. C. albidus, zonis transversis nigris sub-bifidis, abdomine nigro variato. : Whitish Snake, with black sub-bifid transverse zones, and ab- domen variegated with black. Coluber Hsculapii. Lan, Syst. Nat. p. 380. Serpentis A'sculapii species. Seb. 2. t. 18. f. 4.? Serpens Ceilanica, &c, Seb. 2. ¢. 76. f. 2. Abdominal scuta 180, subcaudal scales 43. Tuts is much allied in appearance to the demnis- catus, generally measuring about a foot and half, or two feet in length: its colour is pale or whitish, with a more obscure cast on the back, and 1s marked throughout by nearly equidistant black bands, each surrounding the body and divided half way up from the abdomen by a line or nar- row stripe of the ground-colour; thus giving a bifid appearance to the lower part of each band: the abdomen is marked into black squares by the alternation of the bands beneath: the head is co- vered with large scales, and marked on the fore part by a transverse black zone running across the eyes, and at the hind part by a somewhat broader band: the tail is of moderate length, and gradually tapers to a somewhat obtuse point. This snake is a native of South America, but is also said to occur in some parts of Asia. It is by Linneus termed Coluber A’sculapit, but since it is not very proba- ble that it should have been the species dedicated — to that deity by the ancients, there seems to be a GLOSSY SNAKE AST peculiar absurdity in the Linnean trivial name, which is therefore purposely changed. GLOSSY SNAKE. Coluber Lubricus. C. albus, zonis equidistantibus nigris. White Snake, with equidistant black bands. Coluber lubricus. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1101. Anguis lubricus Africanus, &c. Seb. 2. t. 43. f. 3. ALLIED to the C. #sculapit and lemniscatus, but marked by single, equidistant, black bands: ground-colour white: head marked across the snout by a black band, and at the top by two ob- lique stripes nearly meeting at an angle in front: length about a foot and half: skin remarkably smooth and glossy: native, according to Seba, of Africa. HYGEIAN SNAKE, Coluber Hygeia. C. albus, zonis subundulatis nigris, capite lon- gitudinaliter nigro fasciato. | White Snake, with subundulated black zones, and head fasci- ated longitudinally with black. Serpens Siamensis teniolis, &c. Seb. 2. t. 34. f. 5. Hygidens Natter. Merrem Beytr. 1. p. 24. ¢. 6. A SMALLISH species, of a white colour, barred with numerous and somewhat irregular black bands nearly surrounding the body, and in some parts alternating: head small, large-scaled, and 488 DOMICELLA SNAKE. marked by two broad longitudinal streaks uniting at the top of the snout: tail rather short and sharp-pointed. In the specimen described by Mr. Merrem a narrow dorsal reddish line is continued from head to tail, which is wanting in Seba’s spe- cimen. Native, according to Seba, of Siam. DOMICELLA SNAKE. Coluber Domicella. C. albus, fascts transversis numerosis ni- gerrimis, subtus alternatim concurrentibus, linea abdominal ni- gricante. | White Snake, with numerous jet-black transverse bands meet- ing beneath, and a blackish abdominal line. Anguis bicolor elegantissimus Malabaricus.. Seb. 2.¢, 54. f. 1. Coluber Domicella. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 376. Var. Coluber. picatus. Nat. Misc. vol. 9. pl. 340. | Abdominal scuta 118, subcaudal scales 60. A very elegant and harmless species, of a slen- der habit in proportion to its length, measuring about two feet or two feet and a half in length, and about half an inch in diameter: colour milk-. white, beautifully marked throughout the whole length by very numerous, equidistant, jet-black bands, attenuated on the sides, nearly meeting in an alternate manner under the abdomen, which is also marked by a continued wavy black line through the middle of all the scuta: head very small, co- vered with large scaly plates, and black, with a middle line of white at the back part: tail rather short, and gradually tapering to a point. Native of India: admirably figured in the work of Seba. CHEQUERED SNAKE: 4ASY This species appears to vary considerably in the number of its scata and squame subcaudales. It is pretended that the ladies in India sometimes carry this snake in their bosoms, and hence its trivial name Domuicella. | CHEQUERED SNAKE. : \ 15d GaN Lee I, et ; Serpens Mexicana Petlacoatl dicta clégantissima. Seb. 2. f. 63. f. 1. Lrewneru about three feet or more: general pro- portions those of the Natriv: colour of the upper parts yellow, crossed obliquely by red lines, in such a manner as to divide the whole surface into numerous squares or lozenges, consisting of four scales each: head rather small, and oblong; co- vered in front with large red scales: tail of mo- derate length, and gradually tapering to a very slender extremity: abdomen cinereous-yellow, with a few smallish tessellated red patches here and there. Native of Mexico. In the general disposition of its markings this snake is much allied to the Paragoodo, pl. 20. of Dr. Russel’s In- dian Serpents (Hydrus palustris. Schneid.) but must be a different species. V.-hEt.. P. LE | 32 490 BLACK-HEADED SNAKE. Coluber Melanocephalus. C. subfuscus, subtus albidus, capite nigra albo striato, fascia collari nigra. Brownish Snake, whitish beneath, with black head striped with white, and a black band over the neck. Coluber melanocephalus.. Lan. Syst. Nat. p. 378. Mus. Ad. Frid. p. 24. t. 15. fi 2. aie ss Abdominal scuta 140, subcaudal scales 62. A SMALL species, of about a foot and a half in length: colour pale brown, whitish beneath: head black, with white divisions or streaks on the top and sides, and immediately behind the head is a broad black collar. Native of America? This species appears to vary greatly in the number of its scuta and subcaudal scales. ANNULATED SNAKE. Coluber Annulatus. C. gréseus, maculis dorsalibus rotundis fuscis palhdo marginatis. Grey Snake, with round brown dorsal spots, with pale margins. Coluber annulatus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 386. Mus, Ad. Frid. pak. €28. f. 3. ' ; Vipera Virginiana maculis notata. Seb. 1. ¢. 72. f. 6. and 2. CMS fe 2: | ik Abdominal scuta 190, subcaudal scales 96. Lenetu about two feet or more: colour grey, with the back marked by a longitudinal series of round or ovate deep brown spots surrounded with pale margins, and becoming occasionally con- DIPSAS. 491 fluent, especially to some distance down the neck : head rather large than small, and covered with large scales: tail of moderate length, and gra- dually tapering. Native of America. Appears to vary greatly in the number of abdominal and subcaudal scales. DIPSAS. Coluber Dipsas. C. ceruleus, subtus albidus, squamis margine albidis. . Blue Snake, whitish beneath, with the scales whitish on the edges. 2 Coluber Dipsas. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 386. Abdominal scuta 152, subcaudal scales 135. A RATHER small species: length about a foot and half or two feet: colour bright blue, paler beneath: scales, according to Linnzus, edged with white, and the tail, which is slender and sharp- pointed, marked beneath by a blueish suture: the head rather large, somewhat angulated, ovate- oblong, and obtuse: colour sometimes blueish ereen: native of Surinam, and said to be a poi- sonous species. This snake, being avowedly a native of America, is not very happily named by Linneus; the Dipsas of the ancients being an African Serpent. | 499 NECKLACE SNAKE. Coluber Monilis. C. albidus, supra fasciis latis fuscis, collo supra maculis tribus albis. Whitish Snake, marked above by broad brown bands, and with three white spots on the neck. Coluber Monilis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 381. Abdominal scuta 104, subcaudal scales 82. A SMALL species, measuring about a foot and half in length: colour whitish, banded through- out the whole length with very broad transverse brown zones: abdomen plain: head of moderate size, whitish, bordered with brown, and marked by three lengthened brown spots: on the upper part of the neck are three round white spots, forming as it were a half collar on that part: this species is a native of South America. RING-BANDED SNAKE. Coluber Doliatus. C€. lacteus, annulis dorsalibus ovatis, ap- proximatis, nigris. ! Milk-white Snake, marked above by large, approximated, oval black rings. Coluber doliatus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 275. Magpie Snake. Naturalist’s Miscellany, vol. 7. pl. 254. Abdominal scuta 164, subcaudal scales 43. A sMALL, but highly elegant, species: general length a foot and half, or two feet: colour milk- ai with a sligth cast of cream-colour above, and marked down the whole length by large, oval, jet-black rings, the ends of which approaching COBELIEA SNAKE. 493 each other on the top of the back, give the ap- pearance of double bars: in some specimens the sides of the body are marked by blackish spots between each of the oval rings. This is a per- fectly harmless species, and is a native of Carolina and other parts of North America, COBELLA SNAKE. Coluber Cobella. C. fuscus, fasciis transversis linearibus curvatis albidis, abdomine albo fasciis transversis fuscis. Brown Snake, with linear transverse whitish curved bands, and white abdomen with transverse brown bands. Coluber Cobella. Lin. Syst. Nat. p, 378. Serpentes Colellas dicte. Seb. 2. t.2.f. 5. Abdominal scuta 150, subcaudal scales 54, A sMALL species: general length about ten or twelve inches: colour brown, with numerous curved or undulating, whitish, transverse, linear bands from head to tail: abdomen white or pale, with numerous, alternate, semi-transverse, dusky bands: head of middling size, covered with very large scales: tail thin and taper. This snake varies sometimes in colour, being blackish rather than brown, with similar whitish or pale markings. 4AQ4 ROUGH SNAKE. Coluber Scaber. C. griseus, fusco maculatus, squamis eletato- carinatis, Grey Snake, spotted with brown, with the scales carinated by a rising point. Coluber Scaber. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 385. Mus. Ad. Frid. p. 20.7, 40.5; 1. Rauhe Natter. Merrem. Beytr. 1. p. 34. t. 9. Abdominal scuta 228, subcaudal scales 44. Lrenetu about a foot and half: habit slender: head small, and marked at the back or neck with a few transverse streaks: the scales on the remain- der of the animal small, and marked by a rising point on the back of each: thus causing a very perceptible roughness on the skin: colour grey, marked throughout with a triple row of somewhat irregularly rhomboid and alternate brown spots with paler centres: abdomen pale, and marked on the sides with minute characteriform brownish streaks: tail slender: native of India. - . 495 ALGERINE SNAKE. Coluber Maurus. C. fuscus, dineis duabus dorsalibus nigris, late- ribus nigro transversim fasciatis, abdomine atro. Brown Snake, with two black dorsal lines, the sides trans- versly fasciated with black, and black abdomen. Coluber maurus. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1098. Abdominal-scuta 152, subcaudal scales 66. Or middle size: colour on the upper parts — brown, with two black dorsal lines, from which descend on each side several black bands: abdo- men black: native of Algiers. brea HANNASCH. SLIGHTLY described by Forskal, who tells us that it is entirely black, about a cubit in length, of the thickness of a finger, and that its bite ex- cites. a swelling, though no otherwise dangerous: native of Arabia. ? RED-THROATED SNAKE. Coluber Jugularis, C. mger, jugulo sanguineo. ~ Black Snake, with blood-red throat. Abdominal scuta 195, subcaudal scales 102. ~ Cotour entirely black, except the throat, which is blood-red: native of ASgypt: described by Hasselquist. | 496 SIPEDON. Coluber Sipedon. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 379. Nativeof North America: observed by Kalm: colour entirely black, or deep brown: abdominal scuta i44, subcaudal scales 73, RED-SPOTTED SNAKE. Coluber Coccineus. C. niger, dorso flavo maculis rubris, abda- mine pallido. : Black Snake, with yellow back spotted with red, and pale abdomen. Coluber coccineus. Lin, Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1097. Abdominal scuta 175, subcaudal scales 35, Leyertu from two to three feet or more: habit rather slender: head small: ground-colour black, with about twenty-three bright red ovate or ob- tusely square spots along the back ; the spaces be- tween being yellow: belly pale: native of South Aunerioae 5... ae 497 SPOTTED-SIDE SNAKE. Coluber Ordinatus. C. ceruleo-wirescens, linea spinali albida, _ lateribus fusco-maculosis. Blueish-green Snake, with whitish spinal line, and sides spotted with brown. Coluber ordinatus. Lin. Syst, Nat. p. 37 Green Spotted Snake. Catesb. Carol. 2. p Spotted Ribband Snake? Catesb, 2. pl. 51. Abdominal scuta 138, subcaudal scales 72. 9. l. Don -Geverat length from two to three feet: co- lour blueish green, with blackish clouds and spots along the sides: ridge of the back whitish: na- tive of Carolina. WHITE-SKINNED SNAKE. Coluber Candidus.. C. candidus, maculis dorsalibus ooatis mag- nas fuscis. White Snake, with large ovate brown dorsal spots. Coluber Candidus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p.384. Mus. Ad. Frid, Wed. t. (sf. Le Serpens A’culapii Brasiliensis. Seb, 2. t. 66. f. 3, 4. Abdominal scuta 220, subcaudal scales 50. Haxir rather slender: length from two to three or four feet, or more: colour milk-white, marked throughout with a row of very large, ovate, deep; brown, equidistant spots or patches: each of the white scales on the plain parts is also marked in the middle with a brown speck: head brown, and covered with large scales: tail of moderate length, AOS BROWN SNAKE. gradually tapering to the extremity: native of South America, BROWN SNAKE. Coluber Fuseus. C. cinereo-fuscus, abdomine pallido, macula pos- tocularé fusca. | | Cinereous-brown Snake, with pale abdomen, and brown spot behind the eyes. ; Coluber fuscus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 388. Mus. Ad. Frid. p. 32. VE ere : , Pew 2 71. fA 22. fl. and €. B78 pow, | Abdominal scuita 149, subcaudal scales 117. A MODERATELY large species, growing to four feet or more in length: colour cinereous brown, sometimes tinged with blueish, or with olive co- lour, or ferruginous: abdomen pale: head rather small than large, and marked behind the eyes with an oblong brown patch: tail about a fifth of the whole length, gradually tapering to a point. Na- tive of several parts of Asia. : GREY SNAKE. Coluber Canus. C. canus, fasciis transversis obscuris, lateribus albo punctatis. Grey Snake, with obscure transverse brown :bands, and sides speckled with white. Coluber canus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 382. Mus, Ad, Frid. p. 31. eer 1. Abdominal scuta 188, subcaudal scales 70. Descrizvep by Linneus in the Museum Adol- phi Friderici: the specimen was about a foot long, and of scarcely a finger’s thickness: head ovate, angular, and covered with large scales: body grey, with obscure brownish transverse bands, on each side of which are two white specks, thus constituting a row on each side the body near the abdomen: tail about a fifth of the whole length, slender, and round: native of South America. CAPE SNAKE. Serpens Africana annulata, ex promontorio Bone Spei. Seb. 2. t. 46. f. 4. Leneru about two feet: colour above pale blue, with numerous moderately distant, double, red bands, like those of the Linnean C. A’ sculapiz, but narrower, surrounding the body: head small, covered with large scales, and marked by a broad red band passing across the eyes; at the back of the head by a much broader band: abdomen pale rufous: tail of moderate length, gradually tapering §00 © ANGULAR SNAKE. to a sharp point: native, according to Seba, of the ~ Cape of Good Hope. 3 ANGULAR SNAKE. Coluber Angulatus. C, subfuseus, fasciis transversis lanceolatis nigricantibus, subtus alternatim concurrentibus, Brownish Snake, with broad transverse lanceolate blackish bands, meeting alternately beneath. Coluber angulatus. Lan, Syst. Nat. p. 377. Serpens vel Sepedon Americanus, Seb. 2. t. 73. f. 1? Abdominal scuta 117, subcaudal scales 70. | Leneru from two to three feet: colour pale brown, with broad, equidistant, transverse,. black- ish lanceolate fascise throughout the whole length, continued round the body, but in an irregular or alternating manner beneath the abdomen: head rather small, and covered with large scales; those on the rest of the body of moderate size, and dis- posed into about nineteen longitudinal rows; and as each scale is pretty strongly carinated, the body appears as it were polygonal or angular: tail of moderate length, and gradually tapering to the tip: native of the East Indies, according to Lin- neus, but, if a snake described in Seba and quoted by Linneus, be really the same species, it occurs also in South America: it is observed to vary con- siderably in the number of its abdominal and sub- caudal scales. C ZRULEAN SNAKE. Coluber Ceruleus. C. caerulescens, squamis altero latere albis, abdomine albo. Blueish Snake, with the scales white on one side, and white abdomen. Coluber ceruleus. Lin, Syst, Nat. p. 377. Abdominal scuta 165, subcaudal scales 24. ALLIED in colour to the Linnean Dipsas, being blue above, with the lower margin of the scales white: abdomen white: head of moderate size: tail rather short, slender, and tapering to the tip: general length about a foot and a half or two feet: native of South America. LIVID SNAKE. Coluber Saturninus. C. lividus, fascits angustis transversis cé- nerels. -Livid Snake, with narrow transverse cinereous bands. Coluber Saturninus. Lin, Syst. Nat. p. 384. Mus. Ad. Frid. p. 22. ¢.°9. fi. 1. Abdominal scuta 147, subcaudal scales 120. Descrisep by Linneus in the Museum Adol- phi Friderici: head broader than the body, de- pressed, oblong, lead-coloured: eyes very large: trunk livid, somewhat clouded above with narrow cinereous bands: tail round, and measuring about a third of the whole animal: a harmless species : native of South America: length about two feet: habit rather slender. 302, RED BEAD SNAKE. Coluber Guttatus. C. niger, dorso flavo maculis rubris, abdo- mine fusco variegato. Black Snake, with yellow back spotted with red, and abdomen variegated with dusky. Coluber Guttatus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 385. Bead Snake. Catesb. Carol. 2. t. 60. Abdominal scuta 227, subcaudal scales 60. DescriBeED by Catesby: general length about two feet, but grows to a much greater length: geround-colour black, deepest on the back and faintest on the belly, where it is disposed into a kind of squarish variegations: the upper part of the body is adorned with large spots of a bright red colour, between which, at regular distances, are yellow spots: the sides are spotted with black: the tail measures about a sixth of the whole length. This species is a native of Carolina, and, accord- ing to Catesby, resides under ground, being rarely seen on the surface, but is often dug up in dig- ving for potatoes, &c. and isa perfectly harmless animal. It seems greatly allied, except in the number of abdominal and subcaudal scales, to the Red Spotted Snake before described. DOUBTFUL SNAKE. Cobra Americana, Seb. 2. ¢. 21. f. 3 Leneru about fifteen inches, and moderately thick in proportion: head rather large, and co- -vered with small scales, neck thick : colour white, with extremely broad numerous transverse red bars, many of which are bifid on the sides; tail rather taper but not sharp-pointed, and marked above by a deep red undulating stripe of alter- nately confluent marks in some degree similar to those on the viper, to which tribe this species seems to belong: the head is white above, with two small oblong red marks in the middle: abdo- men pale red: described merely from Seba’s figure. Notwithstanding the viperine character mentioned in Seba’s very slight description, the engraving has something of the appearance of an Anguis, and must be considered as doubtful. AGILE SNAKE. Coluber Agilis. C, fascits alternis albis 5 fuscis, capite parca, cauda brevi. Snake with alternate ‘white and brown bands, small head, and _ short tail. | Coluber agilis. Lin, Syst. Nat. p. 381. Mus. Ad. Frid. p. 27. £916 Ba Abdominal scuta 184, subcaudal scales 50. Descrigep by Linneus in the Museum Adol- phi Friderici. Head small, and covered with large 50+ FLAT-NOSED SNAKE. scales: eyes small: teeth minute: body slender and smooth; length about a span: colour white, with numerous, broad, brown bands, surrounding the body, but narrower below than above: scales on the body smallish, the skin, according to the figure in ‘the work above mentioned, appearing between them, so as to cause a kind of réticular variegation on the brown annuli: tail short, taper, but rather obtuse: native of Ceylon. ————— FLAT-NOSED SNAKE. Coluber Simus. C. nigricans, albo transversim fasciatus, nast- simo, Blackish Snake, with white transverse bands, and turned-up ..., Mose. 7 7 Coluber simus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 275. Abdominal scuta 124, subcaudal seales 46. Lenetu about a foot and half: head rather large, roundish, the nose flat in front, and turned up into a slightly pointed tip: between the eyes a black curved band, and on the top of the head a white cross-shaped mark with a black central spot: body blackish or deep-brown, with white variega- tions so disposed as to form a kind of transverse bands: abdomen dusky: native of North America. 505 PADERA! SNAKE. Coluber Padera, C. albus, maculis dorsalibus fuscis lineola con- nexis, lateralibus simplicibus. White Snake, with blackish dorsal spots connected by a line, and simple lateral spots. Coluber Padera. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 382. Abdominal scuta 198, subcaudal scales 56. Or this snake little more seems to be known than what may be collected from the short de- scription of its colours given in the Systema Na- ture, viz. that it is white, with a dorsal range of double black spots connected by a common line; the sides being marked by a row of simple spots of similar colour. It is a native of India. | AUSTRALASIAN SNAKE. Coluber fusco-nigricans, flavo punctatus, scutis brevissimis, abdomine Susco flavoque nebulato. Blackish-brown Snake, speckled with yellow, with very narrow scuta, and abdomen clouded with brown and yellow. A LARGE snake, measuring nine or ten feet in length, and being rather slender in proportion: colour above very deep or blackish brown, varie- gated with numerous yellow specks, which varie- gation is chiefly owing to each of the black or dark-brown scales being marked on the middle by an ovate yellow spot: on the sides of the body many of the scales are yellow on one half and black on the other; and by degrees appear more V. III, P. Il. 33 506 CYANEAN SNAKE, tinged with yellow as they approach the abdomen, - which is clouded with a mixture of brown and yellow: the head is small, covered in front, as in most of the innoxious snakes, with moderately large scales: the teeth rather large, and so far as. could be judged from the dried specimens hither- to examined, unaccompanied by any poisonous fanes: the abdominal scuta remarkably narrow, scarce extending from side to side more than a. fourth of the diameter of the body: the tail short, and gradually tapering to a slender point. The number of abdominal scuta and subcaudal scales, from the imperfect manner in which the dried skins have been imported, is not ascertainable. An extremely good general representation of this species may be found in Mr. White’s Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales, as well as of some other Australasian snakes, which have hitherto been only described in a cursory manner, from: dried specimens. CYANEAN SNAKE, Coluber Cyaneus. C. cyaneus, subtus virescens, ng Deep-blue Snake, greenish beneath. Coluber cyaneus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 380. Anguiculus 8urinamensis cyaneus. Seb. 2. ¢. 43. f. 2. Abdominal scuta 119, subcaudal scales 110. A RATHER small species: allied in colour, as well as in shape, to the dhetulla, being of a deep blue above, and greenish beneath: head of mode- SIBON SNAKE. 507 tate size, longish, and large-scaled : tail long, gra- dually tapering to a point: native of South Ame- rica. In Seba’s specimen, referred to by Linnezus, a narrow red line divides the sides from the ab- domen. SIBON SNAKE. Coluber Sibon. C. ferrugineus albo nebulatus, corpore subcom- presso. - Ferruginous Snake, clouded with white, with subcompressed J yyy body. Coluber Sibon. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 383. Serpens Africana ab Hottentottis Sibon dicta. Seb. 1.¢.14. f0 4. Abdominal scuta 180, subcaudal scales 85. SOMEWHAT allied in general appearance to the Coluber nebulatus, but rather shorter in propor- tion: body laterally compressed: head short, flattish, and considerably larger than. the neck, pale, and speckled with brown: remainder of the upper parts ferruginous clouded with white: ab- domen pale clouded with brown: tail of moderate length, gradually tapering to the tip: the speci- men figured in Seba, and referred to by Linneus, is described as of brighter colours, the ground- colour being yellowish, and the variegations ru- fous and brown. I cannot forbear expressing some suspicion that this snake and the nebulatus may in reality be the same species: at all events, if they are not, they afford a very striking proof of the inetlicacy of the Linnzan specific characters attempted from the number of scuta and squame. # 505 DINGY SNAKE. Coluber Exoletus. C. ps Melt ee capite Winco depres« stusculo, lubiis gulaque albis. Brueish-grey Snake, with oblong flattish head, and white lips and throat. __ ~ Coluber exoletus. Lin, Syst. Nat. p. 385. Abdominal scuta 147, subcaudal scales 132. DescriBep by Linnzus in the Museum Adol- phi Friderici: length about three feet: habit of the Ahetulla: colour blueish grey: scales on the body obtuse, and arranged in eleven rows: head oblong, flattish : lips and throat white: tail more than a third of the whole length, slender, and pale beneath: native of Sonth Ameriaa DHARA SNAKE. Coluber Dhara. C. cupréo-griseus subtus albus, squamarum marginibus albicantibus. Cupreous-grey Snake, white beneath, with the edges of the scales whitish. | . Coluber Dhara. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1111. - Abdominal scuta 235, subcaudal scales 48. ‘DescriseD by Forskal: native of Arabia: leneth more than a cubit: thickness less than that of a finger: colour above cupreous grey, with the edges of the scales whitish: beneath white: head ovate and obtuse ; covered with large scales, of which that in the middle or between the eyes is larger than the rest. . =. 509 TYRIAN SNAKE. Coluber Tyria. C, albidus, maculis rhombeis fuscis in triplict. Whitish Snake, whith a triple series of dusky rhomboid spcts. Coluber Tyria. Lin. Lyst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1111. Abdominal scuta 210, subcaudal scales 83. DerscriBepD by Hasselquist: colour whitish, with a triple longitudinal series of dusky rhom- boid spots: native of Egypt. PELIA SNAKE. {eye . Coluber Pelias. C. subfuscus fasciis transversis duplicatis nigris, _ subtus viridis, linea laterali flava, - Brownish Snake, with double transverse black bands, beneath green, with a yellow lateral line. Coluber Pelias. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel; 1111. Abdominal scuta 187, subcaudal scales 130. SUFFICIENTLY described in.its specific charac- ter: observed by Linneus in the Museum of De- geer: native of South America, and said to occur also in India. In the distribution of its colours it seems allied to the Coluber ornatus. EGG SNAKE. Coluber Ovivorus, Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 385. Abdominal scuta 203, subcaudal scales 73. Or this Linnean snake nothing more seems to be known than that it is a native of America: it 510 _ SWIFT SNAKE. may perhaps be considered as a doubtful species: in the number of its abdominal and subcaudal scales it agrees pretty nearly with the C. Constric- tor, which is also reported to be a destroyer of eggs. uJ Ss en ~ . o SWIFT SNAKE. Coluber Cursor. C. virescens, striis duabus dorsalibus lineato~ maculatis albis, lateribus abdomineque albidis. | Greenish Snake, with two dorsal stripes of linear white spots, and whitish sides and abdomen. La Couresse. Cepede Ovip. 2. p. 281. pl. 14. f. 2. Abdominal scuta “185, subcaudal scales 105. DescriBep by Cepede from a specimen in the Royal Cabinet at Paris: length near three feet: colour greenish above, with two longitudinal rows of small, longish, white spots: sides and abdomen whitish: head covered with large scales: tail of moderate length, and gradually tapering to the tip: said to be a remarkably timid and swift spe- cles, generally escaping with great rapidity when | discovered : native of the island of Martinico. ol] FICKANELLA SNAKE. Coluber Hickanella. C. albus, ceruleo guttatus, abdomine ceru- leo maculato. : White Snake, speckled with blue above, and variegated with blue on the abdomen. | Serpens Hikkanelia Americanus. Seb. 2. t. VAS pees A BEAUTIFUL species: length about two feet and a half: thickness. moderate: head oblong, large-scaled, white, with the sutures or divisions of the scales blue: remainder of the upper parts white, with numerous small blue spots, disposed in a rhomboid pattern: abdomen white, trans- versly tesselated in some parts with blue: tail ra- _ther short, gradually tapering to the tip: native, according to Seba, of South America, frequent- ing houses, and being very useful in destroying rats, &c. BOAFORM SNAKE. ‘Coluber Boxformis. C. albidus, fusco variegatus, abdomine albo, scutis brevissimis. Whitish Snake, with brown variegations, white beneath, with very short scuta. Pedda Poda. Russ. Ind. Serp. p. 27, 28, 30. pl. 22, 23, 24. Bora. Russ, Ind. Serp. p. 44. pl. 39. Abdominal scuta 252, subcaudal scales 62. Lrenetu of the specimen described by Dr. Rus- sel about two feet and a half, but supposed to grow much larger: habit thick and short, with 519 ' BOAFORM SNAKE. moderately large oblong-ovate head, covered with large scales, and short, sharp-pointed tail: colour of the upper parts very pale or whitish brown, va- riegated on the back and sides by large and small, irregularly formed, deep-brown patches and spots, those on the sides being mostly ocellated: body covered with very small scales, the three rows next the abdomen being much larger than the rest: abdomen white, the scuta being remarkably nar- row or short, and furnished with reddish margins: the under part of the tail is variegated with black and white: native of India: an animal of great, strength, wreathing round the arm, if held fora short time, in such a manner as to numb the hand; not poisonous; its bite producing no other effect, than that of temporary pain. - VAR.? Bora. Russ, Ind. Serp. pl. 39. _Tuis seems to be no other than the same spe- cies of a much larger size: disposition of scales and colours the same, but the ground-colour white, and the tail furnished beneath with several scuta or undivided lamella towards the tip, or after those immediately succeeding the vent; while the tip itself is again eeititihited by a few divided scales: but the number of the whole, taken together, amounts to the same, within a trifle, as in, the first-mentioned kind, . Found, at Calcutta,. where it is pretended that its bite is very soon fol-, MUCOUS SNAKE. 519 lowed by eruptions on different parts of the body, though it does not prove fatal in less than ten or twelve days: but this is, in all probability, mere. popular error. VAR.? Pedda Poda. Russ. ¢. 23, 24. Wiru the general habit, colour, &c. of the first- described species, but with larger scales in propor- tion : perhaps a sexual difference: vent, as in both the preceding, large, semilunar, and edged with a double row of smal] scales: on each side the vent is also a short, curved, spur-shaped, or horn-like process. This snake is said to grow toa very large size, having been seen of the length of nine or ten feet. MUCOUS SNAKE. Coluber Mucosus. C. caerulescens, capite angulato, labiis trans- versim nigro striatis. ‘ Blueish Snake pale beneath, with angular head, and lips striped transversly with black. Coluber mucosus. Lin. Syst. Nat, p. 388. Mus. Ad. Frid. gar: t.:28. f. 1 Abdominal scuta 200, subcaudal scales 140. Tris snake is described by Linneus in the Mu- seum Adolphi Friderici: it is not remarkable for any thing particular in its appearance, but seems to be rather a small species, measuring about a 5I4 CZ RULESCENT SNAKE. foot and half in length, of which the tail mea-_ sures a third part: the colour is blueish, paler beneath; the head angular, the eyes large, and the lips marked with black bars: it is a native of South America: it seems to be a species rather indistinctly described, and to demand farther ex- amination. CZ RULESCENT SNAKE. Coluber Czrulescens. C. caerulescens capité acuminato, abdo- mine plano. | | _ Cerulescent Snake, with pointed head and flat abdomen. Coluber cerulescens. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 389. Mus. Ad. Frid. Fah BOT Abdominal scuta 215, subcaudal scales 170, Wits the general habit of Ahetulla: length a foot and half: colour blueish, paler beneath: ab- domen flat: head ovate, and acuminate: tail round and about a fourth of the whole length, gradually tapering to the tip: native of South America. This also seems to be an obscure species. HS SMOOTH SNAKE. €oluber Austriacus. C. griseo-cerulescens levissimus, serie dor- sali duplict macularum rufarum, lateribus abdomineque rufcs- centibus. “Blueish-grey polished Snake, with a double dorsal row of ru- fous spots, and rufescent sides and abdomen. Coronella Austriaca. Laurenti Amph. p. 84, t. 5. f. 1. La Lisse. . Cepede Serp. p. 158. - Abdominal scuta 178, subcaudal scales 46. Tuis snake, which in its general appearance and manners bears a considerable resemblance to the Natriz, seems to have been first described as a distinct species by Laurenti, who, in his work on the Amphibia, has distinguished it by the title of Coronella Austriaca, being common in the re- gion round Vienna. It is also found in France and several other parts of Europe. Its principal mark of distinction from the Natrix is the perfect smoothness of its scales ; those of the Natrix being somewhat carinated : its colour on the upper parts is blueish grey, inclining to rufous on the sides and abdomen: along the back runs a double row of alternate rufous spots: a few others, somewhat less distinct, appear along each side, and the ab- domen is variegated with patches of a similar cast: the eyes are red, and through them, from the nostrils to the back of the cheeks, passes a narrow rufous stripe: two moderately large spots also appear at the back of the head, immediately beyond the large scales: in a young state the ab- domen is often of a much brighter cast, or red: 516 CATENATED SNAKE, while the colour of the upper parts is more obscure. _ This animal inhabits moist meadows, hedges, watry places, &c. It is of a fierce disposition in its wild state, biting with much eagerness such animals as happen to attack it, but is ee of producing any injury, being unprovided with poisonous fangs, and is easily tamed, in which state it shows a con- siderable degree of attachment. It occasionally varies somewhat in colour, the upper parts having a strong tinge of rufous, and the abdomen of dusky brown or even blackish, while the sides have a cast of yellow or green. CATENATED SNAKE. Coluber Catenatus. C. albidus, supra maculis quadratis fuscis tesselatis, abdomine fasciis latis subfuscis distantibus. Whitish Snake, tesselated above with square brown spots, and marked on the abdomen by very distant, broad dusky bate Abdominal scuta 147, subcaudal scales 78. _ Lenern about two feet: colour pale or whitish: marked above by numerous square brown spots alternately disposed, and joining at the angles: abdomen pale or white, with six or seven very dis- tant, broad, dusky, transverse bands, one of which is placed immediately beneath the throat: head small, white on the sides, and brown on the top, but marked by a white bar across the nose, join- ing with two large white marks over the eyes, and thus constituting a kind of reversed horseshoe- shaped white spot on the head: from behind each CINEREOUS SNAKE. O17 eye proceed two dusky lines towards the back of the jaw: tail long, slender, and tapering to a point: described from a specimen in the British Museum. CINEREOUS SNAKE. Coluber Cinereus. C. cinereus, abdomine albido, cauda supra fusco reticulata, subtus transversim lineata. - Cinereous Snake, with white abdomen, tail reticulated above with brown, and lineated transversly beneath. Coluber cinereus. Lin, Syst. Nat. p. 388. Mus. Ad. Frid. Ps, 37. | - Abdominal scuta 200, subcaudal scales 137. ~Hasir of Natrix: length about two feet: co- lour cinereous: head ovate, convex: eyes large: lips marked by transverse black stripes: trunk covered by nineteen rows of small smooth scales : abdomen white, and slightly angular: tail more than a third of the whole; flattish beneath, with the scales edged with brown above, and appearing reticulated, and transversly lineated beneath: native of the East Indies. 318 HORSESHOE SNAKE. Coluber Hippocrepis. C. lividus fusco maculatus, occypte fascia lunulata reversa. ) Livid Snake, spotted with brown, with a reversed lunulated band on the hind part of the head. Coluber Hippocrepis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 388. Abdominal scuta 232, subcaudal scales 94. A SMALL species : length little more than a foot : colour livid, with a row of pretty closely placed round brown spots down the back, and two or three rows of much smaller alternating ones down the sides: head of moderate size, marked by a transverse arcuated brown band between the eyes, and by a larger horseshoe-shaped band on the hind- head, the divisions pointing backwards: abdomen pale: tail of middling length, tapering gradually: to the tip: native of America. SCUTATED SNAKE. Coluber Scutatus. CC. ater scutis latissimis. Black Snake, with extremely broad scuta. Coluber scutatus. Lin, Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1102. Pail. it. 1, p. 459. Abdominal scuta 190, subcaudal scales 50. Hasit of Natrix: length near four feet: co- lour entirely black, except that the abdomen is marked alternately on each side with a row of smallish, ‘square, yellowish white spots: scuta re- MINERVA’S SNAKE. 519, markably wide, extending on each side in such a manner as to embrace near two thirds of the body: tail somewhat pyramidal, very long, and flattish beneath: this species was eed. by Dr. Pallas about the borders of the river Yaik, occasionally’ frequenting both land and water. MINERVA’S SNAKE. Coluber Minerva. C. glaucus, fascia dorsali fusca, capite sasciix. ——— tribus. Glaucous Snake, with a brown band down the back, and three, on the head. Coluber Minerve. Lin. Syst. Nat, p.388. Mus, dd. Frid. 'p.-36: Abdominal scuta 238, subcaudal scales 90, DescriBEp by Linneus in the Museum Adol- phi Friderici: length about a foot and half: thick- ness greater than that of a swan quill: colour glaucous, with a broad, longitudinal, brown band down the back, and cree usieiniainal bands on the head, two which pass thr ough the eyes: head oblong, ovate, convex, and smooth: eyes large: tail ae and measuring about a third of the whole length: on each side the body, towards the tail, is a narrow dusky line: the scales on the whole animal are smooth: -native of the East In- dies. The Snake, being considered as the emblem of Wisdom, was consecrated to Minerva by the ancient Greeks, but the particular species it would be in vain to, conjecture. 5 20 CASPIAN SNAKE. Coluber Caspius. C. supra alternatim fusco flacoque fasciatus, subtus flavus. | Lhe Yellow Snake, marked above by alternate brown bands. Coluber Caspius. Lin, Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1112. Lepechin, tt p. 317. t. 1. Abdominal scuta 198, subcaudal scales 100. Tuis snake is said to be found toward the shores of the Caspian sea, in low grounds, and bushy places: when disturbed, it first endeavours to escape, but if pursued or irritated, springs for- wards on its assailant with great fury, though in- capable of doing any injury by its bite: its colours are sufficiently described in the specific character : it is said to grow to the length of five feet or more. DOMESTIC SNAKE. Coluber Domesticus. C. griseus, fusco maculatus, macula Sg ping nigra mter oculos. Grey Snake, spotted with brown, with a double black spot be- tween the eyes. Coluber Domesticus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 389. , Abdominal scuta 245, subcaudal scales 94. Tuts species is a native of Barbary, where it 14 said to be in a manner domestic, being very com- mon in the houses of the inhabitants, and consi- dered as a perfectly harmless, and even useful in- HALF-SPOTTED SNAKE. 521 mates, destroying the smaller kind of noxious animals: in its general appearance it is allied to the Hippocrepis, being of a pale grey colour, spot- ted with brown; its principal mark of distinction being a double black spot between the eyes. HALF-SPOTTED SNAKE, Coluber Regine. C. fusco-violaceus, subtus albus, scutis alter- natim macula laterali semiorbiculata fusca notaiis. Violaceous-brown Snake, white beneath, with the scuta marked alternately by a semiorbicular brown spot. | _ Coluber Regine. Lin. Syst, Nat. p. 378. Mus. Ad. Frid, p. 24. 6, 13, fF. 3: Abdominal scuta 137, subcaudal scales 70. A SMALL species, about a foot in length: co- lour purplish brown above, and white. beneath, the abdominal scuta marked alternately on one side by a pretty large dusky half-round spot: the tail is of moderate length, rather slender, and the scales beneath are plain or unspotted: native of India. ee it. FP. 11. 34 “CARACARA SNAKE. Coluber Caracara. C. cwruleus, squamis corporis antici elongatis, postici rhombeis, collo transversim nigro striato. Blue Snake, with the scales on the fore part of the body elon- gated, of the hind part. rhomboid, and the neck transversly striated with black. Coluber Caracara. Lan. Syst. Nat. Gmel. 9.1117. Serpens Caracara Brasiliensis singularis, Seb. 2. #. 78.f. 3. Abdominal scuta 190, subcaudal scales 125. Aw elegant species, described and figured in the work of Seba: length about two feet and a half: habit moderately slender: head rather large and oblong; snout obtuse: from behind each eye a black streak: colour pale blue, the hinder part of the body being tinged with rose-colour: the scales on the fore parts of the animal are of a narrow, lengthened form, and on the hind parts rhomboid, or of the usual shape: neck and fore parts elegantly marked by numerous transverse black lines, the scales on that part being tipped at each end with black: tail rather long, and gra- dually tapering to the tip: native of Brasil. VAR.? In this specimen, which is in the British Mu- seum, the head is elegantly marbled with black variegations, and the whole upper parts are varied with black, though not in the same distinctly linear manner as on the fore part: the abdomen is perfectly plain or unspotted, and is marked by two QUILL SNAKE. 593 narrow, pale, distant lines running down the whole length, between which lines it is of a slightly flat- tened shape. ‘The number of abdominal scuta in this specimen is 185, and of subcaudal scales 90. QUILL SNAKE. Coluber Calamarius. C. lividus, fasciis transversis punctisque linearibus fuscis, subtus albido fuscoque tesselatus. Livid Snake, with transverse brown bands and linear points, and tesselated beneath with brown and white. Coluber Calamarius. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 275. Mus. Ad. Frid. pv 2p: t. 6.7. 3. : Abdominal scuta 140, subcaudal scales 22. A sMALL snake, described by Linneus in the Museum Adolphi Friderici: length about a span: thickness that of a goose quill: colour above livid, with the whole surface scattered over with linear dusky points, and marked also by several narrow transverse dusky bars: abdomen pale, tes- selated in an alternate manner with dusky squares: head very small, convex, and ovate: tail short, and terminating rather obtusely: native of Ame- rica. 524 SCHOKAR SNAKE. Coluber Shockar. C. fusco-cinereus, vitta utringue duplict longi- tudinali alba, abdomine albido, gula fusco punctata. Cinereous-brown Snake, with a double longitudinal white band. on each side, whitish abdomen, and throat speckled with brown. Coluber Schockar. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel.p.1115. Forsk. F. Arab. p. 14. | | Abdominal scuta 180, subcaudal scales 114. DescriBep by Forskal: length about a cubit and half: thickness that of a finger: colour on the upper parts cinereous brown, with a double longitudinal white stripe on each side, and in the more advanced or older specimens, a narrow middle or dorsal stripe, consisting of small whitish spots: throat yellowish, spotted with brown: head ovate, obtuse, and covered with large scales: tail about a third of the whole length: native of the woody parts of Arabia. Se eae ete BEATAEN SNAKE. Coluber Beataen. Forsk. F. Arab. p. 15. A PoIsoNnous species, mentioned by Forskal, who, however, only tells us that it is black and white, and that its bite is immediately fatal, the body swelling in consequence. 525 HOELLEICK SNAKE. Coluber Hoelleik. Forsk., F. Arab. p. 15. Entire ty of a red colour: length about a foot: its bite causes an inflamed tumour; and its breath is said to excite an itching on the skin: native of Arabia. JARA SNAKE. Coluber Jara. C. niger, punctis hnearibus geminatis albis, collar abdomineque flavescentibus. | Black Snake, with double linear white specks, and yellowish collar and abdomen. Jara Potoo. Russ, Ind. Serp. p. 19. pl. 44. Abdominal scuta 175, subcaudal scales 56. Lenetu about fifteen inches: colour black above, each scale marked by two minute white lines: round the back of the head a yellowish col- lar: abdomen of the same colour: tail very short, tapering suddenly to a point: native of India. 526 ARNEE SNAKE. Coluber Arnensis. C. fusco-flavescens, fasciis angustis trans- ~ versis mgricantibus albo marginatis, abdomine albido, Yellowish-brown Snake, with narrow, blackish, transverse bands edged with white, and pale abdomen. Russ. Ind. Serp, p. 43. t. 38. Abdominal scuta 169, subcaudal scales 50. Leneru about a foot and half: colour above yellowish brown, with moderately distant, black- ish or very deep brown transverse bands edged with white: abdomen pale: head small: tail ra- ther short, and tapering to a sharp-pointed tip: native of the country of Arnee in the East Indies. SAGITTATED SNAKE, Coluber Sagittatus. C. fuscus, maculis dorsalibus sayittatis al- bidis nigro marginatis. Brown Snake, with whitish sagittated dorsal spots edged with black. Tar Tutta. Russ. Ind, Serp. p. 20. pl. 15. Abdominal scuta 229, subcaudal scales 87. Lenetu about two feet: habit slender: head — rather large, round, obtuse, and covered with large scales: neck slender: colour of the upper parts yellowish brown, variegated on the back with a kind of continued chain of sagittated or triangular - spots, the sides extending pretty much, and the tips pointing forwards: these spots are edged with black, and become fainter towards the tail, which STREAKED SNAKE. 527 is slender, and gradually tapers to a point: abdo- men yellowish white, the scuta marked by a dusky spot on each side: native of India. STREAKED SNAKE. Coluber Striatus. C. nigro-virescens, albo fasciato-maculatus, subtus albido-cerulescens. | Greenish-black Snake, with spotted white bands, and blueish white abdomen. Gajoo Tutta. Russ. Ind. Serp. p. 22. pl. 16. Abdominal scuta 174, subcaudal scales 40. Lenertu.about fourteen inches: colour above greenish black, marked by about twenty trans- verse fascize, each composed of a number of lon- eitudinal, abrupt, white or yellowish white streaks, and along the sides of the body are interrupted rows of similar streaks: head plain, obtuse, and large-scaled: abdomen blueish white: tail very small, and tapering to a point: native of India. 528 FASCIOLATED SNAKE. Coluber Fasciolatus. C. cinereus, fasciis transversis albidis, ab- domine glauco, Cinereous Snake, with whitish transverse bands and glaucous abdomen. Nooni Paragoodoo. Russ, Ind. Serp. Pp. 26. gt. 2k. Abdominal scuta 192, subcaudal scales 62. Lenetu about two feet: habit rather slender: colour grey-brown, marked with equidistant nar- ,rowish, transverse white bands spotted on the edges with black: head ovate, of moderate size, and large-scaled: tail slender, and tapering to a point: abdomen dusky pearl-coloured: native of India, where its bite is popularly believed to be mortal; but Dr. Russel’s experiments on chickens prove this notion to be entirely erroneous, the ani- mal being unprovided with fangs. BIPED SNAKE. Coluber Bipes. Lin. Syst. aC Gmel. p. 1099. Scop. Ann. Hist, Nat. 2. p. 39. A soMEWHAT doubtful species, mentioned by Scopoli as an inhabitant of the Tyrolese waters, and said to be furnished with two short processes or feet, and to have red eyes, elliptic dorsal scales, and the lateral ones spotted with white: scuta whitish, with a dusky spot in the middle: péthaps no other than a variety of the Natriz. 529 LINEATED SNAKE. Coluber Lineatus. C. ceruleo-virescens, lineis tribus vel quinque Suscis, intermedia latiore. Blueish-green Snake, with three or five brown linear stripes, of which the middle one is broadest. Coluber lineatus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p..382. Mus. Ad, Frid. p. 30.0, 12. f; 1. and ¢. 20. f.. 1. Serpens Ceilonica lineis subfuscis. Seb. 2.¢.12.f. 3. Abdominal scuta 169, subcaudal scales 84. Tuts’ is a highly elegant species, but differs. considerably in appearance, according to the dif- ferent periods of its growth: its general colour is a pale and somewhat gilded blueish green above, marked throughout the whole length by five lon- gitudinal narrow bands or stripes, of which the middle one is considerably broader than the others, and of a deep dusky green, with black edges and specks: on each side, at some distance, is a rather narrower stripe of similar colour, and beneath this on each side is a black line. In the small or younger specimens there are rarely more than_ three stripes; the appearance of the lower or nar- row linear side-stripe being scarce apparent: the habit of the animal is long and slender or flagelli- form, with a small head, a long, thin tail, and a flattish abdomen: the stripes on the head are con- tinued to the tip of the snout, which is obtuse. It is a native of several parts of India, and is com- monly about two or three feet in length. Itisa perfectly innoxious species. DART SNAKE, Coluber Jaculatrix. C. albidus lineis tribus nigricantibus, inter- media fatiore. Whitish Snake, with three blackish stripes, the middle one broadest. Coluber Jaculatrix. din. Syst. Nat. p. 381. Serpens Americana Xequipiles dicta. Seb. 2.¢.1.f. 9. Abdominal scuta 163, subcaudal scales 77. Mucxz allied to the /ineatus in general appear- ance, but is a smaller species: colour whitish, with a tinge of blue; and marked by three longi- tudinal black or deep-brown stripes, of which the middle one is by mueh the broadest: abdomen pale or whitish: it appears to vary tm colour, a specimen described by Seba being of a yellowish cast, with the stripes ferruginous: in the number of scuta and squame it very nearly resembles the lineatus: it is a native of Surmam, and is consi- dered as a harmless animal. SIBILANT SNAKE. Coluber Sibilans. C. carrulescens, lineis quinque nigricentibus, ca- pite maculato. Blueish Snake, with five dusky lines, and spotted head. Coluber Sibilans. Lin. Syst. Nai. p. 383. Seb. Mus. 1. t. 109. f. 1. and 2. . 56. f. 4. t. 107. f. 4. Abdominal scuta 166, subcaudal scales 100. Mucu allied in general appearance to the dinea- tus, bemg of a long slender habit, and marked SIBILANT SNAKE. 581 with five dark lines or longitudinal stripes on a blueish ground-colour: the chief or middle dorsal stripe is the broadest, and is nearly black, with a whitish speck on each of it component scales: at some distance from this are a pair of rather nar- rower stripes of similar appearance, and below these another pair of still narrower or more linear ones: the space between the second or lowermost pair is of a paler colour than the rest of the skin, or whitish: the abdomen is also of similar colour: the head is ovate, covered with large scales, and marked with several oblong, blue, and slightly — angular spots with black edges: the middle or central spot is of a form somewhat resembling that of a horse-shoe, with the divisions pointing forwards: the interstices between the spots are of a pale or whitish colour: the tail is very long and slender. ‘This species is of considerable size, sometimes measuring four feet in length: it occa- sionally exhibits a kind of gilded tinge on the skin, and the stripes are sometimes of a chesnut or reddish cast. It is an Asiatic species, and of an innoxious character. Ce: ©8 is SITULA SNAKE. Coluber Situla. C. griseus vitta longitudinal ytrengue linea nigra margiata. Grey Snake, with a longitudinal dusky band’ bounded on each. side by a black line. Coluber Situla. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 385. Abdominal scuta 236, subcaudal scales 45. Or this species little more is known than what may be collected from its specific character: it is a native of Egypt, and appears to have been first described by Hasselquist. SAURITE SNAKE. Coluber Saurita. C. fuscus, vittus tribus Heer ibis Brown Snake, with three blue-green stripes. Coluber Saurita. Lan. Syst. Nat. p. 385. Ribbon Snake. Catesb. Carol. 2. ¢. 50. Abdominal scuta 156, subcaudal scales 121. A species of considerable beauty: colour brown above, with three moderately broad longitudinal blueish-green or whitish stripes: abdomen pale blueish green: the brown colour has sometimes a ferruginous cast, and the blue-green exhibits a degree of iridescent variation: the head is rather small and slightly pointed; the whole habit long and slender, and the tail thin: it is said to be an animal extremely swift in its motions, frequenting trees, and inhabiting Carolina, and many other parts of North America: it is perfectly innocent, and is about three feet in length. VITTATED SNAKE. Coluber Vittatus. C. albido-cerulescens, vittis tribus nigricanti- bus intermedia angustissima, abdomine albo, scutts fusco mar- ematis, ‘Blueish-white Snake, with three blackish stripes, the middle one extremely narrow, and white abdomen with the scuta bordered with brown. Serpens Rotang, &c. 820.1.4.35. fi 4. Coluber de Terragona. Seb, 2. ¢. 60. f. 2, 3. Coluber vittatus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 380. Abdominal scuta 142, subcaudal scales 78. A MIDDLE-SIZED species, of a moderately slen- der habit, growing to the length of about two feet and a half: colour pale pine: or whitish; marked down the whole length of the back by three black or deep-brown stripes, the middle one being much narrower than the others: between the middle and the side-stripes are also interposed a pair of extremely narrow or linear stripes, which are gradually lost or obliterated after passing some distance down the back: the head is rather small than large, of a longish form, but not sharp- snouted, covered with large scales, and marked above by black variegations, two narrow bands passing over the snout, a much broader one pass- ing horizontally between the eyes, and being dilat- ed behind into a large lobated patch on the top of the head, with two very small, oval, white spots in the middle: the hinder divisions of this patch are continued to some little distance on each side the neck into two or three ovate black spots, from the last of which commence the very narrow or linear 534 BLACK-BACKED SNAKE. stripes before mentioned: the under parts of the animal are white, each scutum being very deeply margined with black or dark brown, thus form- ing so many transverse bands on the abdomen and tail, and affording a very characteristic mark of the species: the tail is of moderate length, slen- der, and gradually tapers to a fine pomt. ‘This snake is a native of South America, and is consi- dered as an innocuous species: it appears to vary sometimes in colour, Seba describing specimens in which the stripes were red instead of brown or black. BLACK-BACKED SNAKE. Coluber Melanotus. C. albidus vittis tribus approximatis nigris, intermedia latissima. Whitish Snake, with three approximated black bands, the middle one very wide. Serpens Africana Bonz Spei eleganter lemniscata. Seb. 2. t. 62. f. 3. ; Abdominal scuta 158, subcaudal scales 50. A MIDDLE-stz£D, or rather smallish species: length about a foot and half or two feet: habit moderately slender: colour whitish, with three: black or dark brown dorsal stripes, of which the middle one is very broad, and the others rather narrow: all pretty closely placed: head of mode- rate size, covered with large scales, and of a pale colour; neck sometimes marked on each side by a row of five or six roundish black spots, suc- _ ceeded by the side stripes: abdomen white. 535 SIRTAL SNAKE. Coluber Sirtalis. C. fuscus, vittis trebus virtdi-ceerulescentibus. Brown Snake, with three blueish-green bands. Coluber Sirtalis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 383. Abdominal scuta 150, subcaudal scales 114. OxssEeRveED by Kalm in Canada: a slender spe- cies, of a brown colour above, with three longi- tudinal blue green stripes: body said by Linneus to be slightly striated. TRISCAL SNAKE. Coluber Triscalis. C. glaucus, linets tribus fuscis ad nuchaim conjunctes. Glaucous Snake, with three brown lines conjoined at the back of the neck. Coluber Triscalis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 385. Abdominal scuta 195, subcaudal scales 86. A sMALL but beautiful species, measuring about a foot and half in length, and being of a sea-green colour, marked above by four rufous stripes which gradually unite into three, and afterwards into two, and at length, on the tail, form one single stripe : the head is covered with large scales, those on the other parts being smooth or not carinated : the tail measures about a fifth of the whole length: native of South America. Oy © Qy ELEGANT SNAKE. Coluber Elegans. C. griseo-flavescens, fasciis tribus latis reti- culatis nigricantibus, fascia abdominali latissima, capite fusco _arrorato, Yellowish-grey Snake, with three broad reticulated blackish bands, a very broad abdominal band, and head freckled with brown. Serpens catenata ex Nova Hispania. Seb. 2. t. 60. f. 1. Abdominal scuta 202, subcaudal scales 146. Havzit long and slender: length about two feet: head long, obtuse, large scaled, and of a grey colour, freckled with innumerable dusky points: on the back a broad, rich chain or stripe formed by four or five reticulated black lines on a blueish or glaucous ground: on each side the body a similar stripe, but narrower, and consist- ing only of two black lines: the colour of the body between the stripes is yellowish grey; and between the stripes and abdomen yellowish white: the abdomen itself is marked by a very broad reti- culated and punctated stripe of a greyish colour — with dusky variegations: the tail is very long and narrow. ‘This snake is well figured in Seba, who represents it as a native of South America. In the British Museum are specimens preserved in spirits: in the living animal the colours are pro- bably much more brilliant than in the above de- scription. | | Ro TANIATED SNAKE. Coluber Teeniatus. C. glaucus, fasciis duabus nigris latissimis, lateribus nigro maculatis, scutis utrinque macula semorbiculata nigra. Glaucous Snake, with two very broad black bands, the sides spotted with black, and the scuta marked on each side by a semiorbicular biack spot. Abdominal scuta 148, subcaudal scales 67. S1zE and proportion of Berus: general colour glaucous; abdomen paler: along the back, from head to tail, an extremely broad and conspicuous © pair of black fillets, leaving a whitish space in the middle: sides of the body below the fillets blue and spotted, as in the ringed snake, with black marks, scuta marked on each side at a small di- stance from their commencement, by a smallish semi-orbicular black spot: head obtuse, covered with large scales, and marked by a dilated black- ish spot and a sharp-pointed white line pointing towards the snout: tail slender, and gradually tapering to a point. Described from a specimen in the British Museum. Co Cr Ve Ill, Pr. | lel 538 DECOROUS SNAKE. ‘ Coluber Decorus. C. ceruleo-virescens, fascia utrinque duplict nigra, collo utrinque nigro maculato. a Blueish-green Snake, with a double lateral black band, and the neck spotted on each side with black. Abdominal scuta 170, subcaudal squame 132. Hasit slender and flagelliform: length about two feet and a half: colour pale, blueish, gilded green, with iridescent variegations : beneath paler or more inclining to white: on each side the body, near the abdomen, a double black stripe: head longish, large scaled, unspotted, and marked on each side, through the eyes, by a broadish black stripe broken into spots, and which, passing to some little distance along the neck, becomes di- vided, and forms the double lateral stripe before mentioned: eyes large: tail very long, slender, and gradually tapering to a fine point. Described from a specimen in the British Museum. BILINEATED SNAKE, Coluber Bilineatus. C. rufus, fascis duabus luteis. Rufous Snake, with two gold-yellow stripes, La Double-Raie. Cepede Serp. p. 220. pl. 10. f. 2. Abdominal scuta 205, subcaudal scales 99, Turis is described by the Count de Cepede, who informs us that it 1s a beautiful species, mea- suring about two feet one inch in total length, BUGLE SNAKE. 539 the tail measuring six inches and six lines: the colour of the upper parts is rufous, each scale bor- dered with yellow, and down the back, from the back of the head to the end of the tail, run two bright gold-yellow stripes: the head is furnished with large scales, and those on the body are smooth or uncarinated: its native country is un- known. BUGLE SNAKE. Coluber Gemmatus. C. cerulens, fascia media nigra albo-macu- lata, lateralibus albis. Blue Snake, with a black middle-stripe spotted with white, and two lateral white stripes. Le Chapelet. Cepede Serp. p. 246. pl. 12. f. 1. Abdominal scuta 166, subcaudal scales 103. A BEAUTIFUL species: length about fifteen or sixteen inches: colour of the upper parts blue, with three narrow equidistant stripes from head to tail, the two lateral stripes being white, the middle one black, marked by a row of small white specks alternately oblong and round, representing a small string of beads and bugles: head large-scaled and marked on each side by three or four spots forming a band across the eyes, the top spotted with pale blue marks bordered with black: the abdomen ts white, each scutum being marked at its edge, near the body, with a small black speck, forming two rows down the abdomen: native country un- known: described by Cepede from a specimen in the Royal Cabinet. 540 EIGHT-LINED SNAKE. Coluber Octolineatus. C. subferrugineus, lineis octo nigris. Subferruginous Snake, with eight black lines. “Abdominal scuta 185? subcaudal scales 65? A sMALL Snake, about the size of a middling earthworm: colour pale ferruginous, marked by eight distinct black lines or stripes from head to tail; the two principal ones running down the top of the back, and the rest, which are narrower, down the sides: head scarce larger than the neck, large-scaled, blunt-nosed, and marked over the snout by a transverse black band passing through the eyes: the two principal or dorsal stripes unite in a sharp point on the top of the head: abdomen white: tail short, measuring about an inch and — half, and tapering pretty suddenly. Described from specimens in the British Museum, having the appearance of very young animals: native coun- try unknown. INTESTINAL SNAKE, Coluber Intestinalis. C. subferrugineus, supra lineis tribus albis, dorsal super caput bifurca, abdomine albo nigroque vario. Subferruginous Snake, marked above by three white lines, the dorsal one forked on the head, the abdomen variegated with black and white. Serpentula gracilis longa Guineensis. Seb. 2. ¢. 2. f. 7. A sMALL, slender species, described and figured by Seba, measuring about a foot and half in DIONE SNAKE. 541 length: colour above pale ferruginous marked by three narrow white lines, of which that on the back is continued to the top of the snout, where it divides into two streaks: abdomen whitish varie- gated with transverse black bars: head rather large, and, so far as appears from Seba’s figure, covered with small scales : native of Guinea. DIONE SNAKE. Coluber Dione. C. caerulescens, fusco maculatus, linets tribus . albidis, © Pale blue Snake, spotted with brown, with three whitish lines. Coluber Dione. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1106. Pail. it. 2. per V7 Abdominal scuta 190, subcaudal scales 66. Hapirt slender: length about two feet: head small, tetragonal, and commonly reticulated with blackish sutures: colour of the whole upper parts pale blue, with three paler or whitish lines, the in- termediate spaces being marked with a row of dusky alternate, and sometimes subconfluent spots or patches: abdomen pale, freckled with minute livid spots interspersed with red specks: tail about a sixth part of the whole length. This species is a native of the salt deserts towards the Caspian sea, and of the hilly regions near the river Irtin, and was first described by Dr. Pallas. 542 A ' TRIFASCIATED SNAKE. Coluber Trifasciatus. C. fasciis tribus latis nigris, intermedia linea alba divisa, abdomine lineis tribus punctatis. Snake with three broad black stripes, the middle one divided by a white line, and three spotted lines down the abdomen. A SMALL species, measuring about a foot in length, and being rather thick in proportion: co- lour above black, formed by three broad stripes, of which the middle one itself is parted down the middle by a very narrow white line: abdomen white, marked by three rows of black spots: head rather small than large, blackish, with white or pale sutures: described from a specimen in the Museum of Dr. William Hunter. STOLATED SNAKE. Coluber Stolatus. C. glaucus, fascias duabus albidis, maculis sub= quadratis transversis fuscis interjectis. Glaucous Snake, with two whitish stripes, and squarésh trans- verse brown spots between. Coluber stolatus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 379. Seb. Mus. 2. t. 14. f. 1, 3. Abdominal scuta 143, subcaudal scales 76. Or middling size, measuring from a foot and half to two feet or more in length: habit rather slender: colour above blueish grey, with a pair of moderately distant white lines down the back, and a continued series of brown transverse, equidistant ~ BOCHIR. 543 zones: abdomen pale or white, each scutum being marked on each side by two small black specks: head large-scaled, pale or blueish above, and of mo- derate size: tailrather short, and tapering to a point. Native of India: mistakenly marked in the Systema Nature as a poisonous species. TRILINEATED SNAKE. Coluber Trilineatus. C. rufus, lineis tribus nigris, Rufous Snake, with three black lines. La Trois-Raies. Cepede Serp. p. 254. Abdominal scuta 169, subcaudal scales 34._ _ Lenertu about a foot and half: colour above rufous, marked throughout the whole length by _ three black lines or narrow stripes: head covered with large scales: tail about two inches and three quarters long: native of Africa: described by the Count de Cepede. BOCHIR. Serpens Mgyptiaca Bochir dicta. Seb. 2. ¢. 38. f. 3. Size and general habit of the Viper, but the head covered in front with moderately large scales: the head is also very short, and variegated with red spots: colour of the whole animal cinere- ous yellow, marked along the upper part by five deep rufous stripes or lines from head to tail: ab- : $44 IBIRACOA. domen speckled with black points: tail shortish, and gradually tapering to a sharp a id native of _ Egypt, according to Seba. AURORA SNAKE. Coluber Aurora. C. croceus, fascia dorsali abdomineque flavis. Orange-coloured Snake, with yellow dorsal band and abdomen. Coluber Aurora. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 379. Mus. Ad. Frid. p. 25.t. 19. ; . Serpens Acontias, &c. Seb. 2. t.78. f. 3. Abdominal scuta 179, subcaudal scales 37. Lenetu about two feet and a half, and mode- rately thick in proportion: colour dull orange, with a broad dorsal line of pale yellow: head ra- ther large, and covered with very large scales: those on the body are also of considerable size: abdomen yellow: tail rather short, and tapering to an obtuse point: native of South America. IBIRACOA. Serpens Brasiliensis Iberacoa dicta. Seb. 1. t. 87. f. 1, 2, 3. Serpens Xazalhua. Seb. Mus. 2. t. 63. fi 2. A BEAUTIFUL snake, figured in the work of Seba: length about two feet: colour pale or whit- ish yellow, tinged with red, blue, &c. and marked above by several parallel longitudinal rows of black linear spots, the middle or broadest range consisting rather of broadish spots, more espe- PALE SNAKE. 545 cially towards the head, which is of a lengthened form, white on the top, speckled with black, co- vered with large scales, and marked along each cheek by a broad black band united at the begin- ning of the neck by a transverse bar, from the back of which proceed a pair of abrupt streaks down the sides of the neck: tail moderately slender, ta- pering to a fine point: abdomen white: native of South America. In the kind called Xavrahlhua by Seba, figured at pl. 63 of vol. 2. the head is yellow with the black cheek stripes, and the body white, with four narrow lines along the upper part, the two middle ones being black, and the two exterior red: perhaps, after all, these snakes may be no other than varieties of some of the Linnean lineated species, which are known to vary considerably in their colours, and in the dis- position of their marks. PALE SNAKE. Coluber Pallidus. C. griseus, fusco punctatus, lineis utrinque duabus lateralibus interruptis nigris. Grey Snake, speckled with brown, with a double, interrupted, black line on each side. Coluber Pallidus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 381. Mus. Ad. Frid. DiS Vall aif. 2: Serpens Americana lemniscata. Seb. 2.¢. 11. f. 3. ?? Abdominal scuta 156, subcaudal scales 96. DEscRIBED in the Amoenitates Academice. Habit slender: length a foot and half: thickness that of a swan quill: back slightly angulated on 546 LONG-SNOUTED SNAKE. each side: head roundish, much thicker than the | neck, covered with large scales: a double black line beyond the eyes, and which, in passing along the sides of the body, is occasionally interrupted: ground-colour pale, variegated with scattered grey spots and points: tail very slender towards the tip, so that the scales are with difficulty counted on that part: native of India: varies considerably in the number of scuta, &c. - LONG-SNOUTED SNAKE. Coluber Mycterizans. C. gracilis viridis, naso subtetragono elon- gato acuminato, linea utrinque abdominali flava. Slender green Snake, with subtetragonal lengthened sharp- pointed snout, and a yellow line on each side the abdomen. Blueish-green Snake. Catesb. Carol. 2. t. 47. Abdominal scuta 192, subcaudal scales 107. Coxour grass-green, with a yellow line on each side the abdomen: habit remarkably slender, mea- suring about three feet and a half in length, and ‘about half an inch in diameter: head moderately large, long, and very sharp-snouted, the upper jaw running far beyond the lower, and being of an obscurely tetragonal form: sometimes this spe- cies varies in having an additional pair of yellow abdominal lines, running down the middle of that part: it is an innoxious snake, though erroneously marked as poisonous in the Systema Nature, ow- ing to the fang-like appearance of its large and long teeth in the upper jaw. It is a native of LONG-SNOUTED SNAKE. 547 many parts of North America, where it is princi- pally seen on trees, moving with great velocity in pursuit of insects, on which it is said principally to feed. VAR.? A suPPOSED variety of this Snake is described and figured in Dr. Russel’s work on Indian Ser- pents, differing from the above in the colour of the under parts, which, instead of being green, are of a cinereous pink-colour, elegantly freckled with very numerous minute black and yellowish dots, the margins of the scuta being edged with dull yellow: the skin of the neck also, when the animal is irritated, exhibits, by the dilatation of the skin on that part, a beautiful variegation of black and white reticular marks, which disappear when at rest: this variety, if such it be, is of an apparently ferocious nature, hissing violently and snapping at any thing opposed to it, but produc- ing no other effect by its bite than that of tem- porary pain in consequence of mere puncture: itis known by the name of Botla Passeriki. See Rus- sel’s Indian Serpents, pl. 13. The number of ab- dominal scuta is 174, and of subcaudal squame 148. Another snake, agreeing with the above, except in having the abdomen pale green, is also figured in Dr. Russel’s work, under the name of Passeriki Pam: its abdominal scuta are 178, and the subcaudal scales 166. The Coluber Mycteri- 548 COLUBER NASUTUS. zans, in all its states, appears to vary considerably in the number of these parts. COLUBER NASUTUS. Serpens viridis ore acuminato ex Java, Aspidis species. Seb, 2. £57 fA. Cotovur a beautiful grass-green, with a yel- low lateral line at the edges of the abdomen, as in the Mycterizans: general length about three feet: habit moderately slender: head rather large, and covered in front with very large scales, and sharp- pointed, the upper jaw projecting considerably beyond the lower: tail long and slender: well figured in the work of Seba: so nearly allied to the Mycterizans as to be scarce distinguishable by a specific character, but seems to have a somewhat larger head in proportion, and to be somewhat less slender in the body: native, according te Seba, of Java. 549 PURPURASCENT SNAKE. Coluber Purpurascens. C. violacco-virescens, linea utrinque ab- dominalt pallida. Violaceous-green Snake, with a pale line on each side the ab- domen. Serpens canora purpurea Cacuba. Seb. 2. ¢. 82. f. 3. Abdominal scuta 212, subcaudal scales 182. ExtTrEMELY resembling the nasutus and myc- terizans in general habit, except in the article of the pointed snout, the head in this being of an ovate form, with a moderately tapering, but not pointed upper jaw: its colour is an obscure green, with a very strong cast of violet purple: the skin about the neck and back appearing and forming in some parts a kind of reticular variegation as in the ahetulla, mycterizans, &c. on each side the abdomen is a white or whitish-yellow stripe, and in some specimens two other stripes of similar colour pass along the middle of that part. 550 IRIDESCENT SNAKE. Coluber Ahetulla. C. viridi-ceruleus nitidissimus, abdomine pal- lido, fascia oculari nigra. Bright blue-green iridescent Snake, with Hes abdomen and black streak across the eyes. Coluber Ahetulla, Lan. Syst. Nat. p.387. Mus. Ad. Frid. p. 35. t. 22. Serpens ornatissima Amboinensis Boiguatrara dicta. Seb. 2. COO FL: Abdominal scuta 163, subcaudal scilics 150. One of the most beautiful of the whole serpent tribe, and, in general, easily distinguished by its blue-green gilded tinge, accompanied by iri- descent hues: its habit is long and slender, mea- suring about three feet and a half, or four feet, in length, and about half or three quarters of an inch | in diameter: the skin, between the scales, is blackish, and in some parts gives an additional beauty to the general colour: across the cheeks, passing through the eyes, is a jet black streak : the head is covered above with large scales, and the snout is slightly elongated, but by no means pointed: the abdomen is pale and flattish, as in the mycterizans and some others of this tribe, and the tail is angular, thin, and of very considerable length. This species is entirely innocent, and is a native of several parts of India. | oot SUMMER SNAKE, Coluber Astivus. C. viridi-ceruleus gracilis rostro obtuso, ab- domine virescente. Blue-green slender Snake, with obtuse snout, and pale-green abdomen. Green Snake. Catesb. Carol. 2. pl. 57. Abdominal scuta 155, subcaudal scales 144. Hasit long and flagelliform as in the Ahetulla: general length about three feet: head obtuse ; co- lour of the whole upper parts blue-green, with a slight purplish cast in some specimens: abdomen pale blue-green: tail very long and slender: na- _ tive of many parts of North America, residing on trees, and preying on flies and other insects. Ca- tesby affirms that it is easily reclaimed from its natural wildness, becoming tame and familiar, and adds, that some people will carry it in their bosoms. FILIFORM SNAKE. Coluber Filiformis. C. angustissimus niger, subtus albus. Extremely slender black Snake, white beneath, Coluber filiformis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 388. Mus. Ad. Frid. p. 36, t. 17, f. 2. Abdominal scuta 165, subcaudal scales 158. 7 DescriBED by Linneus in the Museum Adol- phi Friderici: length about a foot; thickness scarcely that of a goose quill: colour black above, appearing’ like a broad dorsal stripe: beneath $59 BLACK-TAILED SNAKE. white: head ovate, twice the diameter of the body, black above, and white beneath: tail above a third of the whole length, very slender, and sharp-pointed : native of India. Linnzus observes that,it is not quite certain that it may-not bea snake in a young or unadvanced state. f BLACK-TAILED SNAKE. Coluber Melanurus. C. fusco-flavescens, capite maculisque dua- bus caudalibus nigris. Yellowish- brown Snake, with black head and two black spots on the tail. Russ. Ind. Serp. p. 12. pl. 8. Abdominal scuta 241, subcaudal scales 32. A sMALL species, of a slender habit: length about ten or eleven inches; thickness scarcely that of a goose quill, and nearly of, equal diameter from head to the tip of the tail: colour light yel- lowish brown, with a dotted black line running. from head to tail along the middle of the back ; and a few fainter fillets on the sides: the head is small, ovate, black, and covered with large scales: the tail is very short, scarce measuring more than an inch in length, and at its origin is marked, on the upper part, by a large rhomboid black spot, edged with white, and having a white speck in the middle: the tip of the tail is also marked by a similar black spot: the abdomen is of a pale orange-colour, but the under part of the tail 1s white, speckled and variegated with black. This — ae Pa COLLARED SNAKE. §53 little snake is a native of India, and is described and figured in Dr. Russel’s work on the Indian Ser- pents : its bite is said to be painful; but, from the experiment of Dr. Russel on the subject he exa- mined, it appeared not to be poisonous toa chicken whose breast it was provoked to bite, and to which it adhered firmly for nearly a minute: the mouth, however, when closely examined, appears to be furnished with fangs. COLLARED SNAKE. Coluber Torquatus. C. supra niger, subtus ruber, collart albo. Small Snake, black above, red beneath, with a white collar round the neck. Little black and red Snake. Edw. p. 349. Another small Snake? Edw, Glean. 3. p. 291. A SMALL species, less than an earthworm : head and upper parts of a polished jet-black colour: abdomen bright red: round the neck a white col- lar: head rather large, and covered with large scales: eyes flame-coloured: native of Pensyl- vania, where it inhabits the crevices of rocks, old walls, &c. feeding on insects, and seldom appear- ing abroad. Vv. Wi. P. II. 36 554 VAR.? CHESNUT-COLOURED above, and deep yellow beneath; the two colours being divided by a blue- - and-black speckled lie: round the neck a collar of yellow spots: native of Pensylvania. HYDRUS. WATER-SNAKE. Generic Character. Corpus anterius gracile, sen- || Body slender in front gradu- sim Crassescens, squamo- || ally thickening, scaled. | sum. Cauda anceps. Tail compressed. Tue genus Hydrus is of late institution, and comprehends those Serpents which naturally inha- bit the water, whether fresh or salt, without ever making their appearance on land, except when driven there by accident. In their general ap- pearance they are most allied to the Angues, and are particularly distinguished by having laterally compressed or flattened tails. This genus was first instituted by Mr. Schneider, who has, how- ever, admitted into it two species which seem more properly to belong to the genus Acrochordus, and which the reader will find so stationed in the pre- sent work. | Sea, or Water-Serpents, as Mr. Schneider ob- serves, appear to have been known to the ancients ; since they are mentioned by the Greek writers ; /Elian quoting a passage from an anonymous au- thor relative to snakes of very large size and with 556 COLLUBRINE HYDRUS. flat tails, produced in the Indian sea. They are also mentioned by Arrian in the Periplus Maris Erythrei, &c. &c. Aristotle observes, that ser- pents are either of land or fresh water, or else of the sea, and that these latter have a resemblance in most particulars to Land-Snakes, but have a head like a Conger.. It is probable, however, that some of the Murznz were confounded by the ancients, as they are even by some of the moderns, with the real or proper Sea-Snakes. | COLUBRINE HYDRUS. Hydrus Colubrinus. H. plumbeus cingulis nigris. Lead-coloured Hydrus, with black surrounding bands. Hydrus colubrinus. Schneid. Amph. 1. p. 238. Coluber laticaudatus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 383. Mus. Ad. Frid, , p. 31, t. 16. f. 1. Turs species, which is much more nearly allied to the genus Coluber than any of the rest, is a native of the Indian and American seas, and is frequently seen towards the coasts of the south- ern islands in the Pacific. Its general length is about two feet and a half, but it probably grows to a much larger size: the head is covered with large scales: the body is cylindric, the tail ter- minating in a flattened and moderately dilated tip: along the whole length of the under parts is aseries of scuta and of subcaudal scales, as in the genus Coluber, except that they are somewhat less distinctly continued under the compressed part of the tail: the colour of the whole animal is a 9 PIWY INI Ulopuo T LIA 10gT "QOME TIO Y AYSLVIT 9 A LD ) I), H Mi if} PINT Leal aL tO iy) ny Yi} ai iS) A h ( (CLAQH “liye ail a Up i | lH | i Hl) a "od oC i Y| yf} Mh Uh dws Yea CASPIAN HYDRUS. 557 a strong plumbeous or livid blue, with numerous, moderately broad, deep brown or blackish bands from head to tail, each completely surrounding the body, but being rather paler beneath than above: a slight tinge of yellow is also diffused along the abdomen and over the front of the head. ‘This is a poisonous Serpent, but the fangs are remarkably small for the size of the animal. CASPIAN HYDRUS. Hydrus Caspius. HH. dorsi maculis nigris orbiculatis, cauda ni- gricante mucrone gemino, uno supra alterum posito. Schneid, Amph, fasc. 1. p. 244. Olivaceo-cinereous Hydrus, paler beneath, with black orbicu- “lar spots quincuncially disposed in four series down the back, and the tail terminated by a double point. Coluber Hydrus. Lan, Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1103. Pall. tt. 1. p. 459. DescriBeEp by Dr. Pallas, and said to be found in the Rhine and the Caspian sea: length about three feet; colour olivaceo-cinereous, with four rows of orbicular black spots disposed in a quin- cuncial series down the back : abdomen yellowish, tesselated with black: a black band on each side the neck, meeting in a point behind the head, and accompanied by two oblong blackish spots: tail almost entirely black, and terminated by a small double point, one beneath the other: has the ge- neral habit of an Anguis, having a small head, small eyes with a yellow circle, two rows of small teeth, and a very long, black tongue. 558 ‘GREAT HYDRUS. Hydrus Major. H. lividus, nee decurrentibus fuscis, squamis hevagonis abrupte carinatis, Livid Hydrus, with brown decurrent bands, and hexagonal abruptly carinated scales. Tuts is a large species, which does not appear to have been yet distinctly described. Its length is more than three feet: its colour pale or livid, marked throughout the whole length of the back by a series of large transverse, semi-decurrent dusky bands: the tail banded more deeply, or sO as to shew less of the eround-colour: it is much strictured at the Ledraide, or place of the vent, and thence very considerably widens towards. the tip, which is obtusely pointed: the length of the tail is about four inches, and the scales which cover it are of a somewhat square or lozenge form, and so disposed as to resemble in some degree those of a fish: they are all marked by an abrupt middle carina; the scales on the body are chiefly hexagonal, and are carinated in the same manner: those on the head large and angular: along the lower part of the abdomen runs a pretty strongly marked carina; the scales being not dilated into any appearance of scuta, but mich marked by a middle line of division on the very edge of the carina: the vent is surrounded by a TOW ‘ol large, strong, lengthened scales; and in one specimen are two strictures at the commencement of the tail, viz. at the place of the vent, and at about TO9T at Zuo VG2Y UDPUT WIP" ~~ a Ag P YY AYSLON 9 ILL? 72. " DID] 424. H) Wy > | ij = Hi} Yi \ \\ \ : \\\ \\ x | a Si i : ul ) | i i H 7 My) Y} Wy YY Yy Uf ) oe CA LUCE = ey \ \ \ \\\, AW NK \ \\ AA NN Lif YY AY \ i Wy, Vy 7 aN ae h ae i ed Wi if \ H ii oe li, Mi Hh i ; DN | vi WN, My UN | H i Mii | Hl My Hy fin) YY if j Wy My My fi WH Hi of if ij I i L}} CV scthen | i a) H > Lr qf] Yh / / UY Uh iit My II le y) y Yy Wy yy V7 ee > wf Wi] Yy Yy Y, fi i i \ i ns YY yy We, iii Nia Ney ral GUY LY YY Wy a ii eee Al Yi Ly VY) 1 es At a Oe WN eo cea Ly yo WY Na A\ a \ Yi Ly, , AWN RAN AWS Aut AY \ AY Nik WY A AA \ my LANA i oN WN e yp, A yi WY IN \ NAN i Up YL , ie ‘| Y yy yyy ee yous WN TA rea Hy Wb iy a yy We Wl ; if rH ai i Hay iy Ty) y Wi | a oS ie: ional ani Mi ti / i X |! Ve ey i Whiniy 7 nu Wh; li sat Le: we i) Ly HO, it ncaa ! ae Ve i Lis Hyg) Milas a Ly oy . A yoy ‘eh y AS Sa WY y WSs S wy ) f \\ WOE ‘9 ZZ WSs Ay Z cS YS WN y WA ~~ — SSS N N & N GREAT HYDRUS. 559 three quarters of an inch beyond it, the latter being terminated by a long, aculeated scale. This is a marine species, but its particular history seems to be unknown: it appears to be furnished on each side the upper jaw with a row of small teeth, one of which on each side is much larger than the rest, and on being examined with a lens, is evidently tubular, the slit towards the point bemg much longer in proportion than in that of the Rattle-Snake, and even forming a continued furrow along the greater part of the tooth. Na- tive of the Cee seas. : VAR. ? . A SPECIMEN somewhat less than the former, is of a brown colour, the dorsal bands appearing much less distinct: but as both animals appear to have been long preserved in spirits, too much depend- ance should not be placed on this particular. These snakes are preserved in the British Museum, as is also another, which, in general form, length, &c. is allied to the preceding, but seems to have differed considerably in pattern and colour, the bands being yellow, decurrent, and becoming al- ternato-confluent beneath, so as to leave large round side-spots of the white ground-colour. 560° SLENDER HYDRUS. Hydrus Gracilis. H.corpore anterius gracillimo squamts ovatis lewibus, posterius crassiore squamis hexagonis abrupte truncatis, Hydrus with the fore part of the body very slender, and co- vered with smooth ovate scales; the hind part thicker and covered with abruptly-carinated hexagonal scales. Leneru about two feet: head very small, or. not of greater diameter than the neck, and. co- vered with large scales: neck and fore part of the body very slender, not more than about a fifth of an inch in diameter, and cylindric for the di- stance of about seven inches, when it begins to enlarge and flatten into a carina on the upper part, which is continued to the end of the tail. The slender part above mentioned is covered, with ovate smooth scales; the remainder of the animal with hexagonal ones, each marked with an abrupt central carina: the tail is about an inch and three quarters long, flat, and obtusely-acumi- nated, but not so broad as the thickest part of the body: its lower edge is less carinated than the upper, the row of hexagonal scales of the abdomen. being continued on this part to the tip. _ The co- lour of the whole animal is now grown pale, but - appears to have been banded all along the upper parts from head to tail with numerous, “equidistant brown and somewhat obtusely pointed bands reach- ing almost to the abdomen, those on the small or cylindric part of the body being continued inte *- annuli:; the stricture or contraction at the place | BLUEISH HYDRUS. 561 of the vent is not so strongly marked as in the. great Hydrus, to which this species appears allied in some particulars. It is preserved in the Bri- tish Museum. | BLUEISH HYDRUS. Hydrus Czrulescens. H. cerulescens, fascus decurrentibus crus leis, abdomine albo. Blueish Hydrus, with dusky-blue decurrent bands, and white abdomen. | _Leneru two feet: habit resembling that of the Great Hydrus, but the abdomen has a single and perfectly undivided row of hexagonal scales, from the throat to the beginning of the tail, of about the tenth of an inch in diameter, and forming a flat carina on that part: back marked by a carina also, but the scales not differing in shape from those on the rest of the body, being hexagonal, with an abrupt middle carina: head not broader than the neck, and covered with large scales: tail. two inches and a quarter long, and of the usual form in this genus, being moderately broad, but, as in the preceding animal, not equalling the thickest part of the body. Colour pale livid blue above, and white beneath, but marked throughout its whole length, as in the preceding species, by de- current fascize of a deeper blue, and which dip on the white of the sides: they commence immedi- ately from the head, the top of which is of a simi- 562. - SHORT HYDRUS. lar colour. It is an East-Indian species, and is preserved in the British Museum. SHORT HYDRUS. © Hydrus Curtus. H. flavescens curtus, fascus decurrentibus ee acuminatis fuscis, supra subconfluentibus. - Yellowish short Hydrus, with dusky decurrent subacuminated bands somewhat confluent above. | Lenetu about a foot: body compressed, and considerably thicker in proportion to its length than in any of the preceding: head flattish, co- vered with large scales: neck or fore part but little thinner hain the rest of the body: tail about an inch long, and of the usual form: scales on all parts hexagonal, and small for the size of the ani- mal: back carinated ; abdomen more obtusely so, : having a row of hexagonal scales: colour pale yellow, with a pretty close series of deeply decur- rent dusky bands from head to tail, and so placed as to appear alternately confluent on the top of the back, more especially near the head. An East-Indian species. Preserved in the British Museum. gil 563 FASCIATED HYDRUS. Hydrus Fasciatus. H. niger, fasciis ascendentibus flavidis, Black Hydrus with ascendent yellowish bands. Anguis laticauda, Lin. Mus. Ad. Frid. 2. p. 43. Hydrus fasciatus. Schneid. Amph. 1. p. 240. Tatta Pam. Russel’s Ind. Serp. pl. 44. Tue Fasciated Hydrus is described and figured by Mr. Vosmaer, in his work on some of the rarer species of animals, as well as by Dr. Russel, in his publication on the Indian Serpents. It appears, from the account of Mr. Schneider, to arrive at a considerable size, though the specimen figured by Dr. Russel scarcely measures two feet in length: it is of a long and slender habit, and is of a black colour, fasciated throughout its whole length by pretty closely placed yellowish white pointed bands, rising upwards from the abdomen, and almost meeting at their tips on the ridge of the back: the head is small, or not broader than the neck, and is covered by large scales: the neck cylindric: the back carinated, the sides declining, and the belly roundish: the scales on the trunk, tail, and belly, orbicular, close, and not imbri- cated: the tail, which does not much exceed the diameter of the body, -terminates obtusely, yet tipped with a point: the teeth are small; a mar- ginal and two palatal rows appearing in the upper jaw; and, therefore, according to the general rule, it may be supposed not poisonous: Mr. Schneider, however, in the larger specimens which he exa- 564 SPIRAL HYDRUS. mined, observed a large curved fang-like tooth on each side, hid, as it were, in a sheath. This serpent is a native of the Indian seas: the speci- men described by Dr. Russel was found on the sea beach at Vizagapatam, in August 1788, and ap- peared very alert in its motions; yet, when put into a vessel of sea water, in order to be kept for experiments relative to its bite, it very soon died. SPIRAL HYDRUS. Hydrus Spiralis. H. flavescens fusco fasciatus, fascus subtus in longitudinem confluentibus, corpore spiraliter contorto. Yellowish Hydrus with brown bands, longitudinally confluent beneath, and spirally contorted body. Tue present highly elegant species appears to have been hitherto unnoticed: its length is about two feet, and its habit slender: the body much compressed throughout; the back rising into a very sharp carina; the abdomen being also ca- rinated, but having a flattened edge of scales somewhat wider than the rest, and measuring about the fifteenth of an inch in diameter: the head is small, and covered with large scales: the mouth wide; the scales on the whole animal mo- derately small, ovate, and slightly carinated: the ground colour is yellow, barred in a beautiful manner from head to tail with deep chesnut- brown or blackish fascia, each widening on the abdomen, and thus forming a highly distinct and handsome pattern when viewed .on each side, Ul? ZOGT 7 a YT DANG PUDQNY UOPUOT AAS LD VII! TID) Y \ a\ 5 ‘NU \ ala H ( i 1, ial! <5) = ) IF] ] y fy 2 = WS y yp yy YY = NS a Ws iors =] — — eu es ES Es AN eB} aml u \ } \ 1 I LZe. SPIRAL HYDRUS. $65 seeming to constitute so many large, round, yel- low spots on a blackish ground: the back, at about the middle, is marked, along its upper part, with a row of rather large, round, blackish spots situated between the fascie, and so placed as to be in some parts on one side, and in others on the opposite side of the dorsal carina, while some few are seated on the middle of the ridge itself: this variegation is continued to the tail, which is about an inch and three quarters long, black or deep brown, with a few yellow patches towards its beginning: it is remarkably broad for the size of the animal, and very thin on the edges, so as to be semitransparent on those parts. The most re- markable circumstance in this snake is the singu- lar obliquity of its form; the body in different parts being alternately flatter on one side than the other, and the pattern completely expressed on the flattened side only ; the other or more convex side being unmarked by the round spots, and lying as it were beneath; thus constituting several al- ternately spiral curves: this snake seems of an unusually stiff and elastic nature, and the carina on the back is so sharp as to surpass in this re- spect every other species of serpent. The speci- men is in the British Museum, but its particular history seems to be unknown. 566 BLACK-BACKED HYDRUS. Hydrus Bicolor. H. capite oblongo, corpore supra nigro, infra fiavido, cauda maculosa. : Hydrus with oblong head, body black above and yellowish be neath, with spotted tail. | , Hydrus bicolor. Schneid. Amph. 1. p. 240. Anguis Platura, Lin, Syst. Nat. p, 391. Nixboa Quanquecolla, seu serpens rara Mexicana cauda lata, Seb. 2. p. 80. t. 77. fo 1. Nalla Wahlagillee Pam. Russ. Ind. Serp. p. 47. pl. 41. TuIs species is readily distinguished by the re- markable distribution of its colours ; the head and upper parts being of a deep black, the lower parts — pale yellow, and the tail spotted: along the sides runs a row of smaller scales than the rest, and of a brighter yellow: the head is black, and is of an elongated form in front, bulging behind, subcon- vex above, and a little compressed laterally : it is covered with large scales: the mouth is wide; the teeth small and numerous, there being a marginal and two palatal rows in the upper jaw: the body is compressed, and the back highly carinated : the scales orbicular and very minute: the general length about two feet and a half; the tail about three inches. It is a native of the Indian seas, and is said to be common near the coasts of the island of Otaheitee, where it is called by the name of Etoona-toree, and is used as an article of food. DIOLS IID. ABSSOIYI AD PUDINT VOPUOT ri0f cogT °SOMGAP AwWwOV AT-MoOVTG | | | P Wyn i! yy | 1 : ‘an aan ry 1 i i xt i A anos yr S26. 567 DARK-BLUE HYDRUS. Hydrus Atroceruleus. H. atrocwruleus, abdomine flavescente, linea media cerulea. Dark-blue Hydrus, with yellowish abdomen marked by a middle line of blue. Mutta Pam. Russ. Ind. Serp. p. 35. pl. 30. Hydrus Enydris. Schneid. Amph. Fasch. 1. p. 245. Lenetu one foot eight inches: colour a very dark changeable blue; abdomen yellowish white, with a dark blueish line along the middle: head small, and covered with large scales: fore part of the body slender; circumference of the trunk, in the thickest part, about two inches dnd a quarter : tail short, small, taper, and compressed. ‘This snake, which is described by Dr. Russel, was taken in an Indian lake called Ankapilly, in one of the traps employed for catching eels: it appeared to be harmless; having in the upper jaw a marginal and two palatal rows of small reflex teeth. CINEREOUS HYDRUS. Hydrus Cinereus. H. cereus, rostro subtruncato, abdomine sub- flavescente. Ash-coloured Hydrus, with subtruncated snout, and abdomen tinged with yellow. Hydrus Rynchops. Schneid. Amph. 1. p. 246. Karoo Bokadam, Russ, Ind, Serp. p. 23. pl. 17. Lenotu near three feet and a half: thickness near the head about three inches: middle of the 568 FISHING HYDRUS. trunk four inches and a half: head somewhat broader than the neck, yet appearing small in pro- portion to the trunk: rather convex above, com- pressed on the sides, and projecting into a short obtuse or subtruncated snout, which 1s covered | with smallish lamine of various sizes: the remain- der of the head, as well as of the whole upper parts, with ovate or suborbicular carinated scales, smallest on the head: eyes small and vertical: mouth not large: teeth close set, not regular, small, and reflex; a marginal and two palatal rows in the upper jaw. Colour of the scaly part of the snout pale cinereous; the rest of the animal very deep grey or ash-colour: abdomen tinged with yellow: tail a little compressed, eight inches in length, moderately tapering, and terminating in an obtuse point. Sent to Dr. Russel from Ganjam in July 1788: the particulars of its his- tory unknown: placed in this genus by Schneider from its habit and alliance with the preceding. Sapa oe FISHING HYDRUS. Hydrus Piscator. .H. fusco-flavescens, maculis rotundatis nigris lineisque connectentibus. Brownish-yellow Hydrus, with rounded black spots joined by _ connecting lines, , Hydrus Piscator. Schneid. Amph. p. 247. Neeli Koea. Rass. Ind. Serp. p. 38. pl. 33. LENGTH about two feet nine inches: circum- ference three inches and a half: head rather MARSH HYDRUS. 569. broad, ovate, somewhat depressed, and laterally compressed ; covered with large scales: tail eleven inches in length, slightly carinated, tapering very gradually, and terminating sharply: head dusky ; rest of the animal yellowish brown, with numerous round black spots joined by narrow fillets regu- larly disposed in oblique rows, a few scales of light yellow being interspersed: abdomen yellowish white. Native of India, frequenting wet paddy fields, and commonly reckoned a water-snake: moves swiftly, and carries its head high, with a menacing air, in its progression, but when. pro- voked did not either hiss or snap at a stick pre- sented to it: was not provoked to bite a chicken, though pecked several times by the animal: dur- ing the time of this experiment it threw up a pretty large fish, which appeared to have been but a short time in the stomach: is not a poisonous species, the teeth resembling those of other inno- cuous serpents: does not very properly belong to this genus. | . MARSH HYDRUS. Hydrus Palustris. H. fusco-flavescens, maculis rhombeis fuscis lineisyue interjectis, abdomine perlaceo. Brownish-yellow Hydrus, with rhomboid brown spots and in- terjected lines, and pearl coloured abdomen. Hydrus palustris. Schneid. Amph. p. 249, Paragoodoo. Russ. Ind. Serp. p. 25, pl. 20, ALLIED to the preceding species: length more than two feet: trunk round; swelling and dimi- MALL. Po. ie 37 570 MARSH HYDRUS. nishing in a gradual manner: head broadish, oblong, covered with large scales: tail round, about five inches and a half long, and very taper: colour of the animal on the upper parts yel- lowish brown, beset with oblique rows of rhom- boid brown spots with black borders, and between each range of spots runs a ferruginous line: the whole forming a decussated pattern of spots and lines: scales oblong and carinated: tail plain or unspotted: abdomen pearl-coloured. This spe- cies, according to Dr. Russel, is not uncommon in India, frequenting damp grounds, and the bor- ders of tanks, and growing to a size much larger than that of the specimen above described : it is - not a poisonous species: in reality it 1s not very properly stationed in the present genus, having neither flattened tail, nor carinated abdomen. LP7. \ Tr i t i hey a3) At) A \ hi eee fil Va yp HiT aa «\ ZY Ie 4 Yah \ La Uy SNOUTED LANGAYA. tbo? Janis London Lublad bv 6 Kearsley leet Street \ TM A \\\ ett TN LY rie o71 LANGAYA. LANGAYA, Generic Character. Scuta abdominalia._ - Abdominal Plates. Annuli caudales. | Caudal Rings. Squame terminales. Terminal Scales. SNOUTED LANGAYA. Langaya Nasuta. LL. mazilla superiore rostrata, Langaya with the upper jaw produced in form of a snout. Langaha. Bruguiere. Journ. de Physique, 1784. Cepede Ovip. 2. p. 469. Abdominal scales 184, caudal rings 42. Tue genus Langaya, consisting of a single species only, differs from all the rest of the serpent tribe in having the upper part or beginning of the tail marked into complete rings or circular divi- sions resembling those on the body of the Amphis- bena, while the extreme or terminal part is co- vered with small scales, as in the genus Anguis. _ The Langaya nasuta, or Long-snouted Langaya, is a native of Madagascar, and appears to have been first described by Mons. Bruguiere of the Royal Society of Montpellier, whose account of it is inserted in the Journal de Physique for the 579 SNOUTED LANGAYA, » year 1784. The length of the individual described was about two feet eight inches, and its greatest diameter about seven lines: the head is covered with large scales, but the snout, which is ex- tremely long and sharp, projecting to a consider- able distance beyond the lower jaw, is covered with very small scales: the teeth, in shape and disposition, resemble those of a Viper: the scales on the upper parts of the body are rhomboidal, of a reddish colour, and each marked at the base by a small grey circle, with a yellow spot in the middle: the under parts are pale or whitish: the number of abdominal scuta, as well as of circles on the tail, is observed to vary in this snake, as is also the colour, which in one individual was violet, with darker coloured specks on the back. The natives of Madagascar are said to hold the Langaya in great dread, considering it as a highly poisonous serpent. L276. SS SSS 2 Xe co S58 6S SO, Javan ACROCHORDUS. NV WS \\ AN \ WW \) 00 00008! 009009 Q200 So KE OSES 55 S00F 0550 69 =. SESSc 9807850007 S Qe 1601 Janir London Publif{hd by Gliearsley £leet Strctt . 4 iy Strafford scudp. Ly Uy yy . 578 ACROCHORDUS. ACROCHORDUS. Generic Character. Body and tail completely co- vered with warts. Corpus caudaque undique ver- rucosa. JAVAN ACROCHORDUS. Acrochordus Javanicus. 4. nigricans, subtus albidus, lateribus fusco maculatis. Blackish Acrochordus, whitish beneath, with the sides marked by dusky spots. 3 Acrochordus Jayanicus. Hornst, Act. Stocholm. 1787. Tue remarkable snake which gave tise to th institution of this new genus, is a native of the island of Java, and was first described by Mr. Hornsted in the Swedish Transactions for the year 1787, and in the Journal de Physique for the year 1788. It was found in a large pepper-ground near Sangasan, in the year 1784, and measured about eight feet in length; the thickness of the ‘neck being six inches, that of the largest part of the body ten inches, and that of the tail an inch and half: the colour of the upper part of the animal was blackish, and of the under part whitish; the sides marked with dusky spots: the head trun- 574 JAVAN ACROCHORDUS, cated, depressed, and scaly: the jaws equal, the superior being emarginated beneath; the inferior curved: the eyes lateral, on the fore part of the head ; the irides livid: the nostrils circular, small, approximated, and situated above the tip of the snout: the rictus or gape rather small for the size of the body: the teeth in both jaws subulate, very sharp, and reversed, without any appearance of fangs, and accompanied by a double row of very small teeth in the palate: the tongue thick at the base, the forked part black and slender: the body entirely covered, as well as the tail, with rough tricarinated warts: the vent small, the body very suddenly tapering towards the tail. This snake was secured by a Chinese, by means of a split bamboo applied over its neck, and thus carried to: Batavia, where, on being skinned and opened, exclusive of a quantity of indigested fruit, were found five completely formed young, measuring nine inches each: the flesh of the animal was eaten by the Chinese people, who affirmed that it was excellent food, and the skin, being preserved in spirits, was brought over to Europe by Mr. Horn- sted, and deposited in the Museum of the King of Sweden. | Pits ae ) - . y p DOUBTFUL ACROCHORDUS. 3 Sosy a Joe = Ot Oe A | = SAS, Ge eer ee ca agg RCTS ahr 4 - 7602 Janti London Pubhitnd hv Co earecley Flock Creo 573 DOUBTFUL ACROCHORDUS. Acrochordus Dubius. 4. fuscus, abdomine carinato, lateribus nigro-maculatis. Brown Acrochordus, with carinated abdomen, and sides spots ted with black. | ’ In its general appearance and proportion so very nearly does the present serpent resemble the preceding or Javan species, that one description might almost serve for both, except that the head in this is covered with very minute rough or warted scales, differing in size alone from those on other parts of the animal, whereas, if we may rely on the accuracy of Mr. Hornsted’s description and figure of the Javan Acrochordus, that part 1s covered with flat, ovate scales, and of a far dif- ferent appearance from the muricated or wart- like scales on every other part. The size of the present specimen also falls much short of the for- mer, measuring only about three feet in length: its colour is an obscure brown, with some ill- defined clouds and patches of a darker colour dis- persed along the sides and abdomen: the shape of the vent, thickness of body, and sudden contrac- tion at the beginning of the tail, as well as the comparative size and shape of that part are ex- actly similar: the abdomen, however, in this ser- pent is slightly carinated beneath towards the tail, _ which is a circumstance not particularized in Mr. 576 FASCIATED ACROCHORDUS. Hornsted’s description of the Javan species. The present specimen is in the British Museum, and the highly accurate engraving which accompanies this article will shew in the most satisfactory manner the resemblances and discrepances be- tween this and the former animal. Its native place is not particularized. < 1 FASCIATED ACROCHORDUS. Acrochordus Fasciatus. 4. fuliginosus, abdomine carinato, fasciis lateralibus ascendentibus albidis. Fuliginous Acrochordus, with carinated abdomen, and whitish ascendent lateral bands. — Hydrus granulatus. HH. corpore scabro fuliginose, fascus albis in wentre latioribus cincto. Schneid. Amph. Fasc. 1. p. 243. Turs is so much allied to the preceding, that it may perhaps be doubted whether it really differs in any other respect than age, size, and cast of co- lours, measuring about eighteen inehes in length, and being of a dusky-brown colour, with several. paler fascia which take their rise from the abdo- men, and ascend on the sides: the abdomen is carinated, as in the former. This is certainly the Hydrus granulatus of Mr. Schneider, who, in his work on the Amphibia, describes it as a water- snake, though, seemingly, without any other foundation than its having a carinated abdomen; its other characters by no means agreeing with OET TS ‘SEN SS = = dj a v ANN NY Wey Na MAY \ SN WOHVOUHOY GAeLVLO SY A 5 OLGL o * ‘ . s A ». ‘ ~ . a) ‘ 4 j . oe i ' {G ® FASCIATED ACROCHORDUS. Se: those of the genuine Hydri. Mr. Schneider ob- serves its near affinity with the Hornstedian Acro- chordus, but mentions nothing particular rela- tive to its native place. The specimen is in the British Museum, and is very accurately repre- sented on the annexed plate. 578 ANGUIS. SLOW-WORM. bal ; \ Generic Character. Scales both on the abdomen Squame abdominales et sub- | and beneath the tail. caudales. "Tus genus is easily distinguished by having the abdomen and under part of the tail covered with scales of similar appearance to those on the rest of the animal, except that in some few species they are rather larger: to this may be added, that the body is of a shorter and more uni- formly cylindric form than in the genus Coluber, and that the eyes are, in general, small, and the tail rather obtuse : no poisonous species of Anguis has yet been discovered. ‘To the English generic title, Slow-Worm, some objection may perhaps be made, and it is not to be imagined that all the animals of this genus are remarkably slow in their motions ; though, from the want of scuta, they perhaps may be allowed to move with less rapidity than the generality of Snakes. COMMON SLOW-WORM. Anguis Fragilis. 4. griseo-rufescens, dorso fusco-striato, abdo- mine plumbeo. } Rufous-grey Slow-Worm, with the back striated with brown, and lead-coloured abdomen. Anguis fragilis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 923. Laur. t. 5. fi 2 Cecilia. Aldr. Gesn. Raj. Jonst. &c. Blind-Worm. Penn, Brit. Zool. 4. p. 23. pl. 4, Long-Cripple. Borl. Cornw. p. 284. pl. 28. mala. Abdominal scales 135, subcaudal 135. Tuts species is found in almost all parts of Hu- rope in similar situations with the common Snake, and is a perfectly innoxious animal, living on worms and insects: its usual length is from ten to twelve inches, and sometimes even more: its co- lour is pale rufous brown above, with three nar- row longitudinal dorsal streaks or lines of a darker cast ; and beneath a deep lead-colour: the head is rather small, and covered in front with large scales, as in most other innoxious serpents:- the eyes are very small: the tail measures more than half the length of the animal, and terminates pretty suddenly in a slightly acuminated tip. The Slow-Worm is a viviparous animal, and some- times produces a very numerous offspring: like other serpents, it varies in intensity of colours at different periods, and the young are commonly of a deeper cast than their parent: the general motions of this animal are rather slow than otherwise, except when endeavouring to escape; and the young seem to move more slowly than 580° ABERDEEN SLOW-WORM. the full grown ones: Slow-Worms can, however, occasionally exert a considerable dégree of swift- ness, and can readily penetrate the loose soil, in order to conceal themselves from pursuit: they are often found in considerable numbers, during the winter season, at some depth beneath the sur- face; retiring on the approach of winter, and lying in a state of torpidity, and again emerging from their concealments on the approach of spring, when they cast their skin, and recover their former liveliness. It is observed of this spe- cies, as well as of some others, that if struck with any degree of violence, the body not only breaks abruptly on the struck part, but even sometimes at different places: the skin 1s remarkably strong, - and the animal, when handled or irritated, has a way of stiffening itself by stretching to its utmost length, in which state, if any part of the skin be injured, the separation soon takes place in conse+ quence of this rigidity, instead of yielding like the more limber bodies of the snakes. Var. ? ABERDEEN SLOW-WORM. Anguis Eryx? Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 923. Penn. Brit. Zool. 3, p. 33. Abdominal scales 126, subcaudal 136. Tuts seems to be no other than a variety of the A. fragilis, differing merely in being something larger, and of rather darker colours: found in PAINTED SLOW-WORM. 581 some parts of Scotland, and, according to Lin- nus, in America also. SPECKLED SLOW-WORM. Anguis Meleagris. 4. griseo-rufescens, undique fusco-punctata. Rufous-grey Slow-Worn, speckled on all sides with brown. Anguis Meleagris, Len. Syst. Nat. p. 390. Serpens Cecilia seu Scytale. Seb. 2. ¢. 21. fi 4. Abdominal scales 165, subcaudal 32. Tuis, according to Seba’s figure quoted by Linnzus, appears so nearly allied to the common Slow-Worm that it might almost be considered as the same animal, differing in the want of the dor- sal streaks, and in having the whole upper surface freckled with minute deep-brown specks, the tip of each scale being of that colour: it is a native of the East Indies. PAINTED SLOW-WORM. Anguis Scytale. 4. fulva, fascis alternis nigris. ' Fulvous Slow-Worm, with alternate black bands. Anguis Scytale. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 923. Mus. Ad. Frid. p. AL. t. Osf. 2; , Merian Surin, t. 69. Abdominal scales 240, subcaudal 13. Tue Painted Slow-Worm is a species of singu- lar beauty: its general length is about a foot and half or two feet, and its diameter moderate in 582 CORAL SLOW-WORM:. proportion: the eround-colour is a rich yellow- ferruginous or orange, on which are disposed, throughout the whole length of the animal, nu- merous, moderately broad, equidistant, jet-black transverse bands, not continued entirely round the body, but alternating with each other, and termi- nating in rounded extremities: the scales on the intermediate parts are generally tipped with brown, exhibiting more or léss of a speckled appearance on the skin; when this animal, however, has been preserved for any considerable length of time in spirits, the orange-colour fades into white, in con- sequence of which, the specimens usually seen in Museums appear variegated only with black and white: the head is small, and the tail very short, viz. not above one twentieth of the whole length, and terminating obtusely: this species is a native of South America and some of the West-Indian islands. CORAL SLOW-WORM., Anguis Corallina. 4. rubescens, sanguineo-variatus. Pale-red Slow-Worm, with blood-red variegations. Anguis.corallinus. . Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1123. Serpens coralloides Brasiliensis rubra. Seb. 2. #.73.f. 2. A ztarceE and highly elegant species: length about a foot and half: thickness very consider- able: ground-colour pale red, with very broad alternating fascie and variegations of deep coral red: the scales are moderately large, and of a LL. CORAL SLOW-WoOR™M., 1602 Janis London Lubljnd ty ¢ Mearsley Fleet Steet. {yt i i] a W\ Mae + ik i i Z o MI I WoO D SLOW= BANDE BLACK f - a Ire te date Pot Fr A. Beg Ae Tye yn ay ae deni pi soi. BLACK-BANDED SLOW-WORM. 583 rounded form, and the head and tail are remark- ably obtuse. This beautiful animal is a native of South America, where it is said to be found in woods, and to prey on the larger insects, as scolo- pendre, &c. &c.: in colour it sometimes varies, a mixture of black being blended with the red on the sides, and the bands more numerous in some specimens than in others. BLACK-BANDED SLOW-WORM. Anguis Ater. 4, albus nigro fasciatus. White Slow-Worm, with black bands. Anguis Ater. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1123. Amphisbzena Ceilonica foemina, Seb. 2. t. 73. f. 3. Mucu allied in general appearance to the pre- ceding, but differing in colour, bemg white with black bands: the abdominal scales, according to Seba’s figure, on the authority of which this species 1s given, are somewhat dilated, so as to approach in some degree to those in the genus Coluber : na- tive of South America. 384 GLASS SLOW-WORM. Anguis Ventralis. 4. nigro-virescens, flavo punctatus, abdomine brevissimo flavo, sulco lateral. Blackish-green Slow-Worm, speckled with yellow, with very short yellow abdomen, with a lateral furrow. Anguis ventralis. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 923. Glass Snake. Catesb. Carol. 2. pl. 59. Abdominal scales 127, subcaudal 222. Tuts is a moderately large and handsome spe- cies: general length about a foot and half or two feet : colour greenish brown, elegantly mottled with small pale yellow and black freckles: the under parts pale yellow: the head small: from the cor- ners of the mouth to the vent, along each side of the body, runs a deep furrow, separating the abdomen, which is remarkably short, from the upper parts : the tail is more than twice the length of the abdo- men, and terminates somewhat more acutely than is usual in this genus: the body is marked above by several rows of slightly elevated striz, which give the animal a general resemblance, except in colour, to the remarkable lizard termed Lacerta apoda. ‘This species is a native of North Ame- rica, and is not uncommon in Carolina, where it is known by the name of the Glass Snake. Ca- tesby informs us that ‘‘a small blow of a stick causes the body to separate, not only at the place struck, but at two or three other places, the mus- cles being articulated quite through the verte- bre.” | 585 SPOTTED SLOW-WORM. Anguis Maculata. A. flava, tenia dorsali alternato-fasciata nigra. | Yellow Slow-Worm, with an alternately-fasciated black dorsal band. Anguis maculata. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 391. Mus. Ad. Frid. p21. t. 21. f 3. Tucuman, &c. dicta Serpens ex Paraguaja. Seb. 2. t. 100. f. 2. Serpens Amphisbena orientalis. Seb. 1. ¢. 53. f. 7. Abdominal scales 200, subcaudal 12. _ Lenetu about a foot and half or two feet: thickness moderate: colour yellow or orange, with a black dorsal line, on each side of which are nu- merous, narrow, alternating, transverse bands of the same colour, continued throughout the whole dength: the abdomen is traversed by less nume- rous but broader bands of a dusky colour: na- tive of South America. VAR.? Wirs red instead of black variegations. V. WIN. P. IX. 38 586 BLACK-SPOTTED SLOW-WORM? Anguis? leucomelas. A. albus, serie wie vel quadruplici ma- cularum dorsalum nigrarum, White, Slow-Worm ? with a triple or Lis et dorsal. series of black spots. Vipera Brasiliensis Tetzauhcoatl dicta. Seb. 2. t. 78. f. 2, 3 A BEAUTIFUL serpent; figured in the work of Seba: length about two feet: colour above milk- white, with a triple row of black spots down the upper part, the middle range being divided by a _ narrow fillet of the white ground-colour: sides and abdomen tinged with yellow: head white, large-scaled, and taingwely speckled with black : tail rather short, and terminating somewhat ob- tusely : this species has the habit ne a Coluber in some degree, and is said by Seba to be smooth, round, and plump, with an obtuse tail. RUFOUS SLOW-WORM. Anguis Rufa. A. tota cupreo-rufa. Slow-Worm entirely of a coppery rufous colour. Amphisbena Amboinensis, squamis rubicundis obducta. Seb. 2. bo. fe an Lenetu about a foot and half: thickness mo- derate: colour a uniform high rufous or coppery brown, with a white spot near the tip of the tail: scales of moderate size, rounded, and each marked by a dusky central speck : native of Amboina. 587 | RETICULATED SLOW-WORM. Anguis Reticulata. A. rosea, squamis rhombeis ane anterjecta alba reticulatis, Rose-coloured Slow-Worm, with rhomboid scales, Mereuiated by the interstitial white skin. Amphisbena Amboinensis, corio quasi reticulato conspicua. Seb.-2. te Paz y 3. Or similar size and habit with the preceding, but of a strong or deep.rose-colour, covered with rhomboid scales, so placed as every where to leave decussations of white between the several rows, the skin appearing through the interstices: along the sides are a few pbibus white patches, which ie a kind of fasciz as chep approach the tail, the tip of which is white: the head is also obscurely sur- rounded by a white zone: native of Amboina. SNOUTED SLOW-WORM. Anguis Nasuta. 4. atroviresens, subtus flava, naso elongato. Greenish-black Slow-Worm, yellow beneath, with elongated snout. Anguis rostratus. C. L. Weigel Mem. des Curieur de la Nature de Berlin, 3. p. 190. Abdominal scales 218, subcaudal 12. Descrisep by Mr. Weigel in the Berlin Me- moits : length about a foot: colour greenish black above, and yellow beneath, extending in some parts a little way up the sides: upper lip consider- 588 JAMAICA SLOW-WORM. ably longer than the lower, and marked on the tip by a yellow spot: tail terminated by a horny tip, and marked by a yellow spot and two oblique yellow bands: native of Surinam. JAMAICA SLOW-WORM. Anguis Jamaicensis. 4. subargenteo-fuscescens, corpore sensim in- crassato, cauda abrupte subacuminata. Silvery-brownish Slow-Worm, with the body gradually thick- ening, and the tail abruptly subacuminate. Amphisbena subargentea. Silver Snake. Brown Jam. p. 460. pl. 44. f. 1. ei : Serpens Cecilia ex Mauritania. Seb, 1. ¢. 87. f. 2. Anguis lumbricalis? Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 391. TueE length of this species, according to Brown, in his History of Jamaica, seldom exceeds sixteen inches, and the diameter of the animal gradually increases from the snout to the tail, which is ex- tremely short, and terminates in a slightly pointed extremity : it is found about the roots of decayed trees, near ants’ nests, &c. and though popularly considered as poisonous, is entirely innocuous : its colour is a uniform pale brown, with a kind of silvery gloss on the scales, which are extremely smooth, resembling in some degree those of the Scink. Gg VOIVIWV [? "220M VBI AypervIay 9 hg PU/QYNG UCOPUOT LMM FORT TARO = MO] LFS. yy} SS f Yh) YY Zz, Qi y iy Ny NA | i (NH \ SNF \ WY) es ny \) Ups Lop y MY Vy 1 Kf My iy ? if a: f i HT] nif") i \ mi } TL Seas = === | 589 PUNCTULATED SLOW-WORM. Rondoo Talooloo Pam. Russ, Ind. Serp. p. 48. pl. 43. A SMALL species, about six inches in length, and of the diameter of a hen quill, cream-coloured, and powdered with innumerable black dots: tail most extremely short and subacuminate. This species is described in Dr. Russel’s work on the Indian Serpents : it is common in Vizagapatam, and is vulgarly considered as mischievous: it moves with incredible swiftness, and a specimen im- mersed in spirits remained alive more than ten minutes. Dr. Russel describes and figures a larger species under the same name, which seems to be no other than a variety of the 4. Meleagris, differing in having a longer tail than usual. CLIVIAN SLOW-WORM. Anguis Clivica. A. ex cinereo fusca, frontis scuto majori cordate, Cinereous-brown Slow-Worm, with a large cordated frontal scale. Anguis Clivicus. Lin. Lyst, Nat. Gmel. p. 1122. Gesn. Serp. p. 69. Abdominal scales 177, subcaudal 37. Gronov. SAD to be frequent in the Dutchy of Cleves, but seems a species not yet completely described. 590 SEBAN SLOW-WORM. | Scytale Americanze. Seb. 2. ¢. 2. f.1, 2, 3, 4. A SMALL species, figured and slightly described in the work of Seba: length about ten inches: general proportions those of the common Slow- Worm: colour very pale yellowish brown, thickly speckled with pale blue, brown, and black spots: head in some specimens reddish, in others blue: native of South America. IIE . Silé seuip WHitE AMPHISBENA. L8er Janlz London Pubiijnd by 6 Kearsley Fleet Sircet. AMPHISBANA. AMPHISB/ENA. Generic Character. Corpus teres, cequale. Annuli trunci caudzque. Body cylindric, equal. Annular divisions both on body and tail. WHITE AMPHISBANA,. -Amphisbena Alba. A. tota alba. Amphisbena entirely white. Amphisbeena alba. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 393. Mus. Ad. Frid. Po BOs tate Je 2 : Serpens Cecilia Americana. Seb. 2. p. 25. t. 24. f. 1. Tue remarkable genus Amphisbena, much.al- lied to that of Anguis, and even, in some degree, to that of Lacerta, is very readily distinguished by the manner in which the exterior surface of its skin is marked into well-defined numerous circles or rings completely surrounding the body, and divided in a longitudinal direction by still more numerous strait lines; thus forming so many square or parallelogrammic scales. Only two species of this genus have hitherto been disco- vered, of which the present is the largest, mea- suring from fifteen or eighteen inches to two feet 592 WHITE AMPHISBANA. or more in length, and being of a considerable thickness in proportion: its form is equally cy- lindric throughout; the head, which is covered with large scales, being of scarce greater diameter than the body, and the tail, which is very short, terminating in a rounded extremity. The colour of this species is white, but in some specimens tinged with pale rose-colour, while in others the head and back incline to a pale yellowish or brownish _ cast: the head is very short, the eyes very small, the snout obtuse, the mouth of moderate width, the teeth short, strong, not very sharply pointed, and constituting a single row of about fourteen or sixteen in each jaw: the tongue is very large, broad, thick, flattish, and bifid only at the tip, the surface of the base appearing scaly: the tail, in specimens of about two feet, is scarcely more than two inches* in length: the usual number of . circles in this snake is observed to be about two hundred and twenty-three on the body, and six- teen on the tail. It is a native of South Ame- rica, where it is found in woods, preying on in- | sects, worms, &c. It isa harmless animal, but it is said that on handling it for some time the skin becomes affected with a slight itching, accom- panied by small pustules, owing to an acrimoni- ous moisture, exsuding from the animal. * In the Museum Adolphi Friderici the tail of this species is mistakenly said to be a sixth part of the whole length instead of © a twelfth, Fl ay Dis hs ine in) nae ba 1224) SF CLAP » z Pi oo ill lN\ i My x) THA 1 My UN) ”, ey! Hn ( mit inns mM HD ru ia a) OSS SS Se S & RS SN ah WY mh age ee, Mah MY i eT “i, NT % Ley il UY, five = | a 4 ML IPTALT S 1B O N Ginots A Ji F y Pact Svect . Hearse Vy wor janis Loudon Piblijnd b 593 FULIGINOUS AMPHISBANA. Amphisbena Fuliginosa. A. albo nigroque varia. Amphisbzena with black and white variegations. A. fuliginosa. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 923. Amphisbena, Apamea, &c. &c. Seb. 1. ¢. 88. and 2. t. 118. 22, 24. 73. 100, Se. Tuts, which seems rarely to equal the preced- ing in size, is at all times readily distinguished by its colours; the general cast being a purplish or blackish brown, variegated in an irregular manner on all sides by scattered and broken patches of yellowish white, the outlines or divisions of each variegation being always rectangular : the general form is the same as in the preceding species, but the head is rather longer in proportion: the skin is very strong, and the divisions both of the annuli and scales extremely distinct or strongly marked : sometimes it varies in its colours, ex- hibiting pretty vivid variegations of yellow on a purple or violet ground-colour; and at other times an equally remarkable contrast of black -and white: it is probable that in the living animal there is always a cast of purple or violet in the ground-colour, and of yellow in the variegations. It is by no means uncommon in many parts of South America, resembling the former species in its manners, and being equally innoxious. The Count de Cepede observes, that above the vent is a row of small perforated papille, similar to 594 FULIGINOUS AMPHISBANA. those in many of the Lizard tribe. The skin of the Amphisbene is remarkably strong and tenacious, and of a smooth or glossy surface, and it is probable that they are enabled with great facility to perforate the ground somewhat in the manner of earthworms, in order to obtain occa- sional supplies of food. ‘ ie a LBO. ——SS== SS SS S S —————=— —— EE | = —— ———= ——— = —= i \ NO \ SS \ ’ N — SSS == LQSSS5 EEL= SHAPED CQOciLia. 7802 Jan?s London I ublijndt by ohearstey Llect Street. 599 CHCILIA. CECILIA. Generic Character. Corpus teres, zequales. Ruge laterales trunci cau- dzeque. Body cylindric, equal. Wrinkles on the sides both of body and tail. EEL-SHAPED C2CILIA. Cecilia Tentaculata. C. anguilliformis, rugis distantibus, rostro tentaculato. ; Eel-shaped Cecilia, with distant wrinkles and tentaculated snout. : | Cacilia tentaculata. Amoen. Acad. 1. p. 498. t. 13. f. 1. L’Ibiare. Cepede Ovip. p. 466. pl. 21. Tue length of this species is about a foot, and its general appearance that of a small Eel: its co- lour is a livid brown, the abdomen paler or whit- ish: the head is not larger than the beginning of the trunk, and it is of a somewhat taper form, the upper lip projecting beyond the lower: the eyes are extremely small: the nostrils seated at the. tip of the snout, and immediately beneath each is an extremely small cirrhus or beard: the mouth is furnished in each jaw with a row of very small sharp teeth: across the sides of the body, from 596 WHITE-SIDED CECILIA. head to tail, run numerous, semi-annular, and pretty distinct furrows or wrinkles, which are about a hundred and thirty-five in number ; those on the upper parts being moderately distant from each other, but becoming more close or numerous as they approach the extremity, almost immedt- ately beneath which is situated the vent, there being, properly speaking, no distinct tail: the skin of the whole body when closely inspected, is found to be covered with extremely minute pa- pill or granules. This animal seems to have been first described and figured in the Amoenitates Aca- demice. It is a native of South America, and is said to be of an innoxious nature. ‘The specimen in the British Museum measures at least eighteen inches in length, the wrinkles on the sides being a fifth of an inch distant from each other: those near the extremity the tenth or twelfth of an inch. WHITE-SIDED CZCILIA,. Cecilia Glutinosa. C. fusca, rugis confertissimis, linea luterale albida. : Brown Cecilia, with extremely close wrinkles, and whitish la- teral line. : Serpens Cecilia Ceilonica, Seb. 2. p. 26. ¢. 25. fi 2. Cecilia glutinosa. Lin, Syst. Nat. p. 393. Mus. Ad. Frid. p. 19st. G2 fF. : This, which was first described by Seba, is about the same length and diameter with the former, but has a large, tumid head, and wider nostrils, with- LG T : al : Se WHITE- SIDED CC@cria. 2601 Jan" London Lublijha by Chearsley Fleet Sircer. SLENDER CACILIA. 597 out any appearance of tentacula: the colour of both head and body is deep brown, and along each side runs a broad whitish stripe; the wrinkles are extremely close and numerous, and disposed in such a manner as to form a slight carina along the sides on the white stripe. It is a native of South America: the individual described by Lin- neus in the Mus. Ad. Frid. is said to have had a small head, but in every other respect appears to have resembled Seba’s specimen. SLENDER CACILIA. Cecilia Gracilis, C. fusca, lumbriciformis. Brown Cecilia, resembling an earth-worm in shape, Cecilia tentaculata. Mus. Ad. Frid. p. 19. t. 5.f. 2. Lenetu thirteen inches and three quarters: diameter, which is perfectly equal throughout, one fifth of an inch: skin smooth, but when closely examined appearing most minutely granulated : rugz lateral, semi-annular, not. strongly marked, and about the tenth of an inch distant from each other: head not perceptibly larger than the body, and obtusely tapering at the mouth: upper jaw longer than the lower, the mouth being placed somewhat beneath; about the eighth of an inch wide: teeth not distinctly visible, but may be felt in both jaws by means of a pin: nostrils small, ra- ther distant, and seated at the tip of the snout on 598 each side: at a small distance between these are two minute papille or tentacula: vent immediately beneath the tip of the tail, small, and by its outline forming eight or nine crenatures round the fora- men: ruge for about an inch before the end closer than on the rest of the body : skin of the head per- fectly smooth, or without the minute granulations — dispersed over all the rest of the animal: no ap- pearance of eyes: colour of the whole an uniform dull brown. It is supposed to be a native of South America®. I cannot conclude the enumeration of the Serpent tribe without observing, that this branch of Natural History still requires much elucida- tion, and is, perhaps, of all others, the most liable to errors and uncertainties. The Linnean charac- ters of these animals, in the Systema Nature, are, from their extreme brevity, but ill calculated for general information, nor can it be surprising that they should now be considered as constituting little more than a mere series of memorandums relative to abdominal and subcaudal scales; while many of the most remarkable serpents in the works of Scheuchzer and Seba, seem to have been entirely neglected, apparently for no other reason than that the number of these parts could not be ascer- * In the Museum Adolphi Friderici it is figured under the name of C. tentaculata, and appears to be confounded with that species. 599 tained: as if the external form and colours of the animals were of no importance in the specific cha- © racter. On this subject the observations of Mr. Schneider appear to be perfectly just. ‘« Ingenia curjosoruin primus acuit Linneus ad investigandas corporum naturalium atque ani- -malium notas; verum postquam accedente philo- sophia et zootomia pomoeria scientie naturalis multo latius promota fuerunt, raro curiosorum lectorum desiderio satisfaciunt breves amphibio- rum notationes singulis speciebus in systemate Linneano apposite.” Mr. Schneider goes on to observe, that, unless a more ample mode of description be adopted, there is reason to apprehend that the authority of the Linnean characters of the Amphibia, and of Serpents in particular, will become entirely ob- solete. ‘¢ Aucto enim amphibiorum cognitorum nu- mero, plures formee notas cum pluribus speciebus communicari fuit necesse, quas ille, quibusdam proprias putaverat; plures etiam omisisse illum probabile est obscuras in exemplis junioribus vel vinaceo liquore nimis maceratis, vel contemsisse adeo velut inutiles, dum ipse nimis scutorum nu- mero confidebat, quas deinde in adultis et recte cognitis exemplis eminentiores observavit curio- sorum diligentia, vel assumere investigatas coegit dubitatio et criteriorum Linneanorum cognita va- nitas. Quod nisi fit, prope adest, ut verear, ne 600 brevi omnis Linnzani Systematis auctoritas im - enarranda serpentium historia naturali plane ut in metallorum historia factum est, evilescat. Com- pages quidem totius fabrice jam omnes in pos- trema editione solutas esse video, atque ipsa fun- © damenta eo inclinare mihi videntur, ut ruina edi- ficii sit timenda,” VU eh ait eae SLD L3 8. ‘JIODS? DIBYT AQSMY ING PUYINT UOPUOT L:Udl ECBr "NASAL S Gad WHS ="Loay mn ant ‘ : \ \ \\ APPENDIX. DUBIOUS AMPHIBIA, OR WHOSE REAL NATURE IS NOT COMPLETELY | UNDERSTOOD. SIREN. EEL-SHAPED SIREN. Siren Lacertina. S. bipes, corpore anguilleformi, branchiis ra~ mosis. Two-footed Siren, with eel-shaped body, and ramified branchie. Siren Lacertina. Lan. Amoen. Acad, 7. p. 311. Syst. Nat. vol. 1. pt. 2. Addend. Murena Siren.. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 1136. Amphibious Bipes, or Mud Inguana. Ells Phil. Trans. vol. 56. p. 189. | Siren Lacertina, The Siren. Nat, Misc. pl. 61. Tats species stands eminently distinguished in the list of animals by the ambiguity of its characters, which are such as to have induced the great Linnzus to institute it for a new order Vv. III. P. II. 39 ; 602 ? EEL-SHAPED SIREN. of Amphibia, under the title of A/eantes*; an order, however, which does not stand among the rest of the Amphibia in the Systema Nature, but is mentioned in a note at the end of the second part of the first volume of that work. The genus with which the Siren has evidently the greatest possible affinity, is the Lacerta or ig It even very much resembles the larva, or first state of a Lacerta; and itis still doubtful whether it may not really be such: yet it has never been observed in any other state, having two feet only, without any appearance of a hind pair: the feet are also furnished with claws, where- as the larve of all the Lacerte are observed to be without claws; or, in the Linnezan phrase, digitis muticis: the mouth has several rows of smallish teeth: the body is eel-shaped, but slightly flat- tened beneath; marked on the sides by several wrinkles, and slightly compressed towards the extremity of the tail, which is edged with a kind of soft skin or adipose fin, as it were: on each side the neck are three ramified branchial processes; resembling, on a larger scale, those belonging to the larve of water-newts, and at the base are the openings into. the gills: the eyes are very small, and blue. The general colour of the animal is a deep or blackish brown, scattered over, especially ° on the sides, with numerous minute whitish -* The characters of this Order are thus given by Linneus,. viz. Branchie & Pulmones simul. Pedes brachiati, unguiculati. The. generic, character stands thus, viz. Corpus bipedum, caudatum,. nudum, /Pedes brachiati, unguiculati. EEL-SHAPED SIREN. 603 specks. Its size nearly equals that of an Eel, being frequently found of the length of more than two feet. It isa native of North America, and more particularly of South Carolina, where it is not very uncommon in muddy and swampy places, living generally under water, but sometimes ap- pearing on land. It has a kind of squeaking or singing voice, for which reason Linneus distin- guished it by the title of Siren. This curious animal was first discovered and described by the ingenious Dr. Garden, who re- sided many years in Carolina, and who paid par- ticular attention to the science of Natural His- tory, which he enriched by many highly interest- ing observations. Dr. Garden communicated specimens of the Siren to Linnzus, with particu- lars relative to its history and manners. Lin- neeus, in his letter to Dr. Garden on this subject, declares, that nothing had ever exercised his thoughts so much, nor was there any thing he so much desired to know as the real nature of so ex- traordinary an animal. The following particulars relative to the ana- tomy of the Syren are given by Mr. Hunter in the 56th volume of the Philosophical Transactions ‘ ANGUINE SIREN. . 609 raneous outlets or holes at the bottom; leaving the ground dry, and fit for pasture, the cultiva- tion of millet, &c. &c. as well as for various kinds of - hunting and other amusements: but in the month of October it again returns, with great force; springing out of the passages before mentioned from a vast depth till the Lake is completely filled. It is situated in a hollow or valley, surrounded by rocky and woody mountains, in which are vast caverns, and is principally supplied by eight rivu- lets running into it from the adjoining moun- tainous region. Of this Lake, with a probable theory of its phenomena, an ample description may be found in the sixteenth volume of the Phi- | losophical Transactions. The species of Siren at present to be described is extremely rare, and is found, in the spring, and towards the decline of summer, in some particu- lar parts of the above-mentioned lake, and com- monly measures, when full grown, from about ten to twelve or thirteen inches in length; the largest specimens being near three quarters of an inch in diameter. It is entirely of a pale rose or flesh- colour, or even nearly white, except the three pair of ramified branchial fins on each side the neck, which are of a bright red or carmine-colour. — Its general shape is that of an eel; the body being cylindric, till towards the end of the tail, where it becomes flat, and is attenuated both above and below into a kind of fatty fin, scarce distinguish- able from the rest of the tail: the skin is every 610 ANGUINE SIREN. where smooth and even; the head of a somewhat _ depressed form, with a lengthened, obtuse, and widish snout, and has no external eyes: the mouth is moderately wide, and furnished with a row of very minute teeth: the legs are about three quar- ters of an inch in length ; the fore legs beimg situ- ated almost immediately behind the branchial fins, and the feet furnished with three toes, without any appearance of claws: the hind legs are situ- ated at a great distance backwards, towards the commencement of the tail, and are of the same appearance with the fore legs, but the feet have only two toes, which, like those of the fore feet, are destitute of claws. The motions of the animal, when taken out of the water, are, in general, ex- tremely slow and languid; as is also the case when kept in a vessel of water; but when in its native lake, it is sometimes observed to swim pretty briskly, waving Hts body i in a serpentine direction, in the manner of aleech. ' The Anguine Siren is well figured by Laurenti, who seems to have been its first describer, in his work entitled Specimen Medicum, exrhibens Synopsin Reptilium, under the title of Proteus Apguinus. — With respect to its real nature, Zoologists are not yet agreed : : some imagining it to be the Larva of some species of Lizard, aha gradations have not been fully ascertained, while ahs s, with per- haps equal probability, suppose it a complete or perfect animal. Its anatomy is amply detailed by Dr. Schreibers, ANGUINE SIREN. 611 in the 91st volume of the Philosophical Transac- tions. The chief abbreviated particulars are the following: | The Eyes are most extremely small, subcu- taneous, and situated on each side the base of the rostrum or upper jaw, just before the bulging or projecting ee The Tongue is large and fleshy; loose at the point, but attached a the root to the lower jaw. The Stomach is very large, and of an almost co- riaceous nature. The Liver is extremely large and long; appear- ing, at first view, to fill the whole cavity of the abdomen, so as nearly to hide the other viscera. The Lungs consist of a pair of very long tubu- lar canals or processes, each terminating in an ob- long simple bladder which is not divided inter- nally into cellular spaces, but merely separated into two cavities by an intermediate membrane, a communication between the two sides cf the bladder being left by means of a large semilunar opening at the upper end. | The Bones seem to be of the same conformation and nature as in the Salamander: no ribs or ster- num; but bones in the tail. This animal appears evidently to be of a preda- cious nature; feeding on the smaller kind of aquatic animals; since one whieh was kept alive for some days in a vessel of water, was observed to discharge from its stomach several small shells of the genus Helix, and in the stomach of one which Dr. Baeeber, dissected were found the head and 612 FISH-FORMED SIREN. bones of a small fish. Its voice is a strong hiss, louder than might be expected from the size of the animal. Upon the whole, as Dr. Schreibers observes, there can be no doubt that this animal bears a great affinity to the Siren lacertina, before de- scribed, having both gills and lungs; and, there- fore, leaves us in equal uncertainty as to its being a larva or a perfect animal. It is, however, re- markable that, notwithstanding the most careful researches, during many years, and the frequent fishing which takes place in the lakes and caverns of the neighbouring country, at all seasons of the year, no animal has hitherto been detected of which it can possibly be supposed the larva. FISH-FORMED SIREN. Siren Pisciformis. _ 8. fusco-ferruginea, nigro maculata, branchiis ramosissimis, palmis tetradactylis, plantis pentadactylis. Ferruginous-brown Siren, spotted with black, with finely ramii- fied branchiz, tetradactylous fore and pentadactylous hind feet. Gyrinus Mexicanus. Mexican Tadpole. Naturalist’s Miscel- lany, pl. 342, 343. mek Tus animal was first described in the Natural- - ist’s Miscellany, from a well-preserved specimen in the British Museum. I shall, therefore, here repeat my former description from the above- mentioned work. The animal here represented in ae natural size is supposed to be native of Mexico, and though “PILE IIN A NAISLOIY Y AQ PUY Qf UOPUOYT 7 UB; TYE “NEES CEA LO sL- AST yy —— ———¥ —S=>=-= —— eS Ss ‘OPT Liye wate SAT ICY FISH-FORMED SIREN. 613 perhaps no other than the Larva or Tadpole of some large American Lizard, seems a scarce less singular and curious animal than the Siren, so much and so long the subject of dubious specu- lation to Linneus, and for which he at length instituted his additional order termed J/eantes. In its general appearance it bears some resemblance to the larva of the Rana paradoxa, but is fur- nished with gills, opening externally in the man- ner of a fish: the openings are very large, and the operculum or external flap is continued from the sides of the head across the throat beneath, so as completely to insulate the head from the breast: the gills themselves consist of four semi- circular bony of cartilaginous arches, which are denticulated or serrated on their internal or con- cave part, like those of fishes: on the opercula or external flaps are situated three very large and elegant branchial fins or ramified parts, di- vided and subdivided into a vast number of slen- der or capillary processes. In these particulars: it resembles the Siren lacertina, except that in that animal the external opening to the gills is very small: the mouth is furnished in front with a row of extremely minute teeth: the tongue is large, smooth, and rounded at the tip: the rictus or gape, when the mouth is closed ap- pears considerably wider than it really is; owing to a lateral sulcus proceeding from each corner to some distance: the feet are entirely destitute ef webs, and the toes are furnished with weak- y * 614 FISH-FORMED SIREN: ish claws: the fore feet have four, and the hind. feet five toes. Exclusive of the general colour of the animal, the whole skin when minutely examined, appears to be scattered over with very minute white specks, resembling those on the, surface of the Siren lacertina. The sides of the body are marked by several strong ruge or fur- rows, and an impressed lateral line or sulcus is continued from the gills to the tail *. | It may be added that the animal figured in the 4th volume of the American Philosophical Transactions and described by Mr. de Beauvois as _a new species of Siren, seems much allied to the present, and may even be the same species, since it appears to agree in the leading particulars: the specimen, however, seems not to have been in the highest state of preservation, since no mention is made of any spots: its size is con- siderably smaller than that of the present ani- * A species nearly allied to this is mentioned by Mr. Schneider, who examined it inthe museum of Professor Hellwig at Bruns- wick. It was taken in the Lake Champlain, in North America, where it is said to be dreaded by the fishermen, who consider it asa poisonous animal, Its length is more than eight inches, and its diameter nearly an inch: it is soft, spongy, and porous, and is marked on each side by three rows of round black spots: tail ancipital, compressed, and spotted ; lower edge strait ; upper curved ; tip roundish or cylindric. Head broad, flat; eyes small; teeth in both jaws conical obtuse, and rather long : tongue broad ; mouth wide ; lips like those of a fish: on each side the — neck three branchial fins: feet four; distant; tetradactylous, and without claws.—Schneid, Hist. Amph. fasc, 1. p. 50. { es FISH-FORMED SIREN. 615 mal; and the toes are represented as terminat- ing bluntly. Mr. De Beauvois thinks, that, upon the whole, the Linnean order MMeantes should be preserved, until more detailed and en- dJarged observations on these animals shall have completely elucidated their real nature. END OF VOLUME ITIt. Tendon: printed by T. 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