Z2 PUBLICATIONS OF SPENCER F. BAIRD. - 



39. 



1853. Baird, Spencer F., atid Charles Girard. Catalogue | of | North American 

 Reptiles | in the Museum of the | Smithsonian Institution. | — | Part I. — Ser- 

 pents. I By I S. F. Baird and C. Girard. | — | [Seal of the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution.] I Washington: | Smithsonian Institution. | January, 1853. | January 

 1, 1853. [Accepted for publication November, 1852.] 8vo, pp. xvi, 172. 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 



Preface v 



Introduction vii 



Explanation of Terms nsed. 



Synopsis of families and genera and systematic order of species of North Amorican 

 Sei-pents Ix 



Catalogue of Serpents 1-144 



Appendix A. — Species examined, of whicli no Specimens are in possession of the 

 Smithsonian Institution 145 



Appendix B.— Species described by authors, but of which no Specimens could be 

 obtained 150 



Appendix C. — Species collected on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey 

 by John H. Clark and Arthur Schott, under Maj. Wm. H. Emory, and received too 

 late for insertion in their proper places 166 



Appendix D. — Index of Sources from which the Specimens hare been received 162 



Appendix E.— Index of States and Territories from which Specimens have been re- 

 ceived 164 



Alphabetical Index 165 



1. Vernacular Xames 165 



2. Systematic Names 167 



Although published under the names of the two authors as a joint production, this work 



is a series of monographs for which the individual authors only claimed to be responsible. 

 The record of authorship is lost. In the following list of species discussed, the parts written 

 by Professor Baird, so far as he can recall the matter to memory, are printed in italic type, 

 those by Girard in heavy-face type. 



"In the present catalogue it is proposed to present a systematic account of the collection of 

 North American Serpents in the museum of the Smithsonian Institution. In the Appendix 

 ■will be found such species not in possession of the Institution, as could be borrowed for de- 

 scriptiou, as well as notes on more or less authentic species of which no specimens could be 

 found. 



" A complete synonomy of all the species has not been attempted, as tending to swell the 

 bulk of a catalogue too much. All those, however, necessary to a proper understanding of 

 the history or character of the species, have been introduced, and all the synonyms quoted 

 have been actually verified by original reference. 



"Owing to the want of ostoological preparations, it has been a difficult task to arrange the 

 genera in a natural succession. In many cases forms are now combined which will hereafter 

 necessarily be widely separated. The almost entire deficiency of modem general works upon 

 the Coluhridce, has also been a serious obstacle to any correct idea of a natural system. The 

 forthcoming work of M. '\1. Dum6ril will undoubtedly clear up much of the obscurity which 

 now exists. But when systematic writers all carefully avoid the subject of the Ophidians, 

 each waiting for the others to make the first step, the attempt to combine genera by well- 

 marked, though perhaps artificial points of relation, will it is hoped be looked upon with 

 indnlgeuco, even after more comprehensive and extended investigations shall render it neces- 

 sary to break up the combinations here adopted. 



"The collections upon which the original de8crix)tions of the present catalogue have been 

 based are as follows : — 



Spencer F. Baird. Species from Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. 



Charles Girard. Maine, Massachusetts, and South Carolina. 



Eev. Charles Fox. Species from Eastern Michigan. 



Dr. V. K. Hoy. Species from Eastern U'isconsiu. 



Prof. L. Agassiz. Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and Florida. 



Dr. .J . P. Kirtlaud. Northern Ohio. 



G. W. Fahuestock. Western Pennsylvania. 



Miss Valeria Blaney. Eastern Shore of Maryland. 



Dr. C. B. R. Kennerly. Northern Virginia. 



John H. Clark. Maryland, Texas, New Mexico, and Sonora. 



