xil THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
species differ materially in coloration and length in the different 
parts of South Africa, especially so where climatic and other 
conditions are largely dissimilar. 
The first edition of this book was hurriedly written up from 
my notes, at a time when I was busy also with many depart- 
ments of other work, and for that reason I crave the indulgence 
of critics for a necessarily immature product. 
But this first edition has now been carefully revised, extensively 
altered, and enlarged, and the results of later experiments and 
experiences added, as well as a considerable number of illustra- 
tions of value. 
The Author and Publisher wish to acknowledge gratefully 
their obligations to the following: The British Museum (Natural 
History), Authorities for the use of blocks from the British 
Museum, Catalogue of Snakes, also for Mr. Boulenger’s classifica- 
tion of Snakes from the same source; Messrs. Blackie for the 
use of certain illustrations from their Physiology; Sir Ray 
Lankester and Messrs. Constable and Company, Ltd., London ; 
Messrs. F. W. Warne & Co., for kindly allowing the use of 
illustrations from their ‘“‘ Royal Natural History’; Messrs. 
Funk & Wagnall for diagrams; Messrs. Harmsworth; Prof. 
Seeley for his pictures ‘‘ Dragons of the Air”; Messrs. 
Harmsworth, for illustrations from their ‘“‘ Natural History,” 
and “‘ Children’s Encyclopeedia.”’ 
