72 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF 



Euprepes Harlani, H. Toxkodryas Blandinr/ii, H. 



Eupi-eiJcs Ulandingii, H. Causus rhombeatus, W. 



PytLoa bivittalus, S. (P. Sebffi, T).k^.) Eclddna Gabonica, D. & B. 

 Onychocephalus Liberiensis, H. Rana Bibronii, H. 



Onychocephalus nigro-lineatus, H. Ixalus concolor, H. 



Leptophis smarat/dinus, D. & B. Bufo maculatus, H. 



Gaboon. 

 Cryptopodus Aubryi, A. D. BocBdon quadrivirgatum, H. 



Trionj'x ^Egytiacus. G. Hormonotus audax, H. 



Cinixis denticulata, H. Lycophidion laterale, H, 



Cinixis Homeana, B. Oxybdis Klrtlandii, H. 



Hemidactylus angulatus, H. Toxicodryas Blandingii, H. 



Chamaeleo gracilis, H. Dinophis angusticepSj A. D, 



ChatBcEleo dilepis, L. Echis squamigera, H. 



Varanus niloticus, D. & B. Naia Haje, (var. melanoleuca, H ) 



Tachydromus Fordii, H. Echidna nasicornis, M. 



Euprepes albilabris, H. Echidna Gabonica, D. & B. 



Euprepes striata, H. Atractaspis corpuleutus, H. 



Euprepes lUandingir, H. Triglophodoa fuscum, D. & B. 



Splienorhiaa elegans, H. Caecilia rostrata, C. 



Gerrhosauras nigro-liaeatus, H. Rana subsigillala, A. D. 



Phractogonus galeatus, H. Lymnodytes albilabris^ A. D. 



Leptophis smaraydinus, D. & B. Hyla Aubryi, A. D. 



Chloropbis heterodermus, H. Heteroglossa Africana, H. 



Bocedon quadrivittatum, H. Dactylethra Miilleri, P. 



Nothing is more striking in the study of the various reptilian forms above de- 

 scribed than the simplicity of the elements out of which so great a variety of 

 essential characters are deduced, constituting generic types, permanent in their 

 nature, andlinked from the beginning with circumstances of physical geogra})hy 

 not yet fully made out, l^ut which a more thorough and accurate analysis may 

 euable us to discover. It is probable that a careful and precise investigation of 

 the genera now determined, even by the most eminent Herpetologists, taking into 

 consideration not one or several sets of characters but the entire animal viewed 

 in regard, not only to its anatomy, whicliis of equal importance, but also its geo- 

 graphical position, and so to speak, its i)hysiology, will of necessity cause many 

 of them to be separa,ted, constituting either distinct generic forms, or sub-generic 

 types, associated naturally with the physical characters of the soil and climate 

 in which they live ; and hence it is of the utmost importance that those animals 

 not liable to changes of domicile as is the case with birds, and even the mam- 

 mals, should be collected from all known regions of the globe, their habitat 

 being ascertained with the greatest precision, and their anatomy studied with 

 care, so that we may be enabled to deduce the laws which govern their ex- 

 istence, and determine their characters, which cannot be done for a long time 

 to come, and until the facilities for the prosecution of such pursuits are much 

 greater than exist at the present time, but which we have no doubt will ulti- 

 mately be accomplished. Natural History, phj-sical geography and jdiysiology 

 are so intimately connected, that no real progress can be made without their 

 combined study ; and in this manner instead of the artificial and disjoint- 

 ed aspect which the first of these has often been made to present, we 

 shall have a system based upon nature itself, the only true and real foundation 

 of all progress whether in science or morals, or in the solution of those perplexed 

 I)roblems which at present so much and so fruitlessly disturb the public mind. 

 Inquiries of this kind, so far from promoting a spirit of irreverence, induce the 

 contrary, leading man not only in the letter, but better in the spirit, and in the 

 r>.'al constitution of things, to search out the laws which determine his well being, 

 and give rise in him to the most profound sentiments of humility and worship 

 of the great (Ji'cator, whose iutclligonte and power at every step excite his 

 wonder and admiration. 



[Feb. 



