vi THE SNAKES OF EUROPE 



by an Introduction summarizing what is known of 

 Snakes generally. 



I have purposely avoided overburdening a work of 

 this kind, which aims at concision, with bibliographi- 

 cal references and synonymic lists. I am sure my 

 readers will be thankful for being spared this display 

 of erudition. Whenever I have had to compile, and 

 to trespass on ground that is not my own, I have 

 been careful to draw only from the writings of the 

 most trustworthy authorities. The descriptions of 

 the species are based on the collection in the British 

 Museum, which has been considerably increased 

 since the publication of the Catalogue of Snakes 

 (1893-1896). I have also had access to Monsieur F. 

 Lataste's rich private collection, now under my care, 

 and Dr. R. Gestro has kindly entrusted to me for 

 study the collection of Italian Snakes in the Genoa 

 Museum. I am indebted to Dr. L. W. Sambon for 

 the chapter on Parasites, which he has written at 

 my request. 



To all who have helped me I beg to tender my 



hearty thanks. 



G. A. B. 



