X ^ INTRODUCTIOJN. 



history of our country. The most zealous, able and inde- 

 fatigable naturalists, are at this moment engaged in and have 

 nearly perfected the departments of American ortiiiholo- 

 gy, conchology and entomology. An equal degree of at- 

 tention bestowed on herpetology is alone requisite to com- 

 plete the circle of American zoology. 



