2 JOURNAL OF THE TRINIDAD 



same style and with the same intention as the Preliminary list of 

 the Mammals published by Mr. Oldfield Thomas sometime ago. 

 The Reptile list had been compiled from all accessible literature 

 and records based upon many specimens collected by Mr. Mole 

 and himself and it would be found that a great many of them 

 were thus recorded for the first time from Trinidad. The total 

 number of species at present was only 73 but there was every 

 probability that when certain specimens, recently despatched to 

 Europe, were identified that this figure would be considerably 

 increased. On the other hand there were in the list the names 

 of certain snakes recorded from Trinidad at the British Museum, 

 and elsewhere, the occurrence here of which appeared 

 to be exceedingly doubtful. They had refrained from giving any 

 decision in this list as their experience in Reptiles was a very 

 short one — and new species were turning up now and again. 

 It was exceedingly difficult to say positively that such and 

 such a species did not occur in a certain country and as an 

 illustration of this he would mention that it took 50 years of 

 careful record to establish the fact that Vvp >,rus ierus, the common 

 English viper, did not occur in a certain district in Germany. 

 The list was long and as it only consisted of a number of 

 names it was unnecessary to read it. It would be published 

 in the Journal when it would be better understood. In 

 answer to certain recent criticisms he would point out that it 

 was the duty of the Club to obtain correct lists as far as possible 

 of the fauna of the Island and that such lists were of much value 

 scientifically. — Mr. Tate presented some copies of the Annual 

 Report of the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club and the Irish 

 Naturalist and said during his recent absence from the Island 

 he had seen several members of the Belfast Field Club and 

 they would be glad to exchange proceedings. The Irish 

 Naturalist would prove very useful to any members who sub- 

 scribed to it, — The question whether the Club should subscribe 

 was referred to the Business Committee. — After deciding that 

 members should be asked to send in proposals for excursions to 

 be considered at the next nonthly meeting the Club adjourned at 

 9.30 p.m. The additions to the Club collection since last meeting 

 are: A banded tree snake locally called " Lora'" — Ahatulla 

 liocercus — presented by the Rev. Father Clunes, Princes Town, 

 and an "American Barn owl" Strix pratinicola from River 

 Estate, Diego Martin, presented by Mr. E. West Lack. 



March 2nd, 1894. 



PRESENT : Mr. H. Caracciolo, President ; Sir John Tankerville 

 Goldney, Professor Carmody, Dr. Rake, Messrs. T. I. Potter, 

 T. W. Carr, A. B. Carr, W. S. Tucker, W. E. Broadway, John 



