ir)2 KEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1893. 



The third giouj) showed a tine yellow boa, from Jamaica, in the aetof 

 cliiiil)iii,u' the branches of a tree, typifying the non-venomous snakes in 

 contrast to the group of poisonous ones. 



The secoud class of objects consisted of G8 species in alcohol, this 

 series being destiued to illustrate by tyi)ioal si)eciniens the families of 

 reptiles and batrachiaus occurring in the Western Hemisphere. Alto- 

 gether 48 families were shown, several of the larger ones being repre- 

 sented by a series of species to illustrate the extremes of forms included 

 in them. All the specimens were carefully mounted upon glass i)lates, 

 iu imitation of the natural positions of the animals, and displayed in 

 square glass Jars, the larger ones in Dortlinger Jars, the smaller, in 

 Benedict plate-glass Jars, The great advancement of this inode of 

 exhibiting alcoholics over the old one of simply snspending the animal 

 iu a round Jar, was very striking. The plate-glass Jars especially are 

 so beautifnl and the animals show to such an advantage that it is hoped 

 that the experiments which are now being made for improvements in 

 their manufacture may meet with success. Each Jar was provided with 

 two printed labels, one family label giving in a few terms the scientific 

 characteristics of the family, in addition to a brief ])opnlar account of 

 its other peculiarities, as well as the geographical distribution, the 

 other label being the specimen label containing the popular and scien 

 tific names, locality, ^luseum number, and donor's or collector's name. 



A systematic series of alcoholic specimens, representing the following 

 families of American reptiles and batrachians: 



liKl'TILKS. 



Crocodiles, CrocodilUhr. 



Tortoises, families Chehidridn', Khwstentida', Testitdiiiidd , Emi/dhhr, Cheloniidop., 

 Dermochehjdida', and Trionyehida-. 



Li/ards, fainilies EnhlepharidWjGekkonidn', AnoUda\ Iguanida;, Helodermat'uUv, Angu- 

 id(v, AnnieUida-, Xantiisiida', Teiidw, Schicid(V, Jiipedkhr, Ampltisba-nidw. 



Snakes, families TiiphIoj)idn\ Leptotijphlop'Hhv. Ili/siidd', Boida\Charhndn', Xatricidw, 

 Nothopnid<v, AinhlycephaUdd', Boigid<p, Elapidiv, Hijdrophida', Crotnlida'. 



15ATRACI1IAXS. 



Salamanders, families rroteida', Cryptohranchida', Amhh/sionuiiidn', Plethodonilda:, 

 Desmognathidiv, Salamandrido', AmpMumidw. 



Ciecilians, family Ca'ciliida'. 



Sirens, family Sirenidn'. 



Toads and frogs, families Jiiifonidw, Pelobatida, Ilylidw, Cystignathida, Engystomat- 

 idd', DendvohatUhv, lianida-. 



Although not very extensive, the herpetological exhibit attracted 

 much attention, particularly the two large groups, which were con- 

 stantly surrounded by a crowd of interested and appreciative visitors 

 to the Fair, 



DEPARTMENT OF FISHES. 



The honorary curator. Dr. Tarleton H, Bean, was placed in charge 

 of the exhibit of the U, S, Fish Commission at the World's Columbian 



