PREFACE. xiii 



Stebbing, to whom I am indel)tecl for its identification, no Amplii})0(l 

 has hitlierto been recorded from so considerable an elevation. ^ 



REPTILIA. Three species of Lizards were obtained in the interior, 

 which have been identified by Mr. Boulenger as Liocephalus trachijcepha- 

 lus (A. Dum.) ; EcpIeopus(Pholidobohis)montium, 'Peters; and Prodoporus 

 unieolor (Gray). The Lioceplnilas was numerous throughout the interior 

 generally, between elevations of a little over 8000 feet to a little under 

 12,000 feet, and was more frequently noticed in the northern than in 

 the southern part of the country, — being especially abundant on the 

 Plain of Tumbaco (to the N.N.E. of Quito), less frequently seen in the 

 basin of Machachi, while to the south of the basin of Eiobamba it only 

 occurred occasionally. Ecpleopus montmm was less numerous, yet still 

 was far from being rare, and was rather widely distributed ; but the 

 Prodoporus (p. 130) was only obtained on the eastern side of the Plain 

 of Tumbaco, and in the contiguous basin of Chillo. This little lizard 

 (averaging only 4i inches in length), when caught, turned upon his 

 captors, bit fiercely, and could hang on with its jaws to a finger or 

 anything which was presented for it to snap at. There are probably 

 two other species of Lizards, inhabiting the interior, which we failed 

 to capture. 



In the higher and highest parts of the interior we neither saw 

 Snakes nor could learn of the existence of any. The two solitary 

 specimens which were obtained both came from the lowest basins, and 

 were brought in alive by natives.'' The examples of Bothrops Schlegeli 

 were presented to me by Mons. Giacometti, r/uiUre d'Jwfel, at Quito, who 

 obtained them upon his farm ; which, according to his description, is 

 placed a considerable distance to the west of Quito, and is probably 

 situ.ated at a low altitude, but I was unable to procure any precise 

 information about it. This snake is said to be very particularly venom- 

 ous, and is greatly feared. 



1 A tigure of Hyaldla incnnis is given in Travds amongst the Great Andes, 

 Chap. XIX. 



- These were brought in through rewards being oti'ered. 



