SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS. 



320 



CIRCULAR 



KELATING TO 



COLLECTIONS OF LIVING REPTILES. 



The Smithsonian Institution is at present engaged in the prepar- 

 ation, for exhibition in the National Museum, of a series of plaster 

 easts of American reptiles taken from the living or recently dead 

 specimens, and carefully colored from nature. For this purpose it 

 respectfully invites contributions of the following objects : 



First. Specimens of any of the turtles and terrapins found in 

 your vicinity, with information as to whether the collection em- 

 braces all the species known ; and, if not, whether others may be 

 looked for hereafter. 



Second. The largest procurable specimens of serpents, with the 

 exception of the poisonous kinds (such as rattlesnakes, copper- 

 heads, and moccasins) in reference to the transmission of which, 

 further and special correspondence is requested. 



Third. The various kinds of salamanders, water-lizards, oi 

 ground puppies, to include the large hell-bender of the western 

 waters ; the mud pup or water-lizard of the northern lakes, or 

 Menohranchus ; the congo eel or ground puppy (Siren and Amplii- 

 lima) of the Southern rice-fields, etc., as well as the smaller kinds 

 found in damp places under stones and logs. A series of the frogs 

 will also be acceptable. 



