388 



NATURAL SCIENCE. 



JULV. 



habits of this interesting group of vertebrates, but serves as a most 

 useful book of reference to all interested in the classification and 

 geographical distribution of recent Reptiles and Batrachians. So 

 thoroughly has the revision of this volume been carried out, that even 

 the results of observations recorded within the last few months have 

 found their way into its pages. So often do we find books of a 

 popular character inaccurate and behind date, that we cannot speak 





Fig. i.—1'sammodromns alginis, from the Western Coasts of the Mediterranean. The specimen 

 figured above represents the recently described var. nollii, from Algeria. 



too highly of the value of a work such as the present one, which 

 combines elegance of style with the strictest scientific accurac}-. 



We are pleased to find the classification in the volume before 

 us conform to that adopted in the rearrangement of the collections 

 in the British Museum. Thus, Snakes are no longer primarily 

 divided into poisonous and harmless ; the Slow-worm finds its 

 place near the Sheltopusik and the Glass-snake of North America, 



