TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT. 65 



collection during life. In order to exhibit these chelonians to the 

 best advantage a special tank was constructed, provided with 

 glass sides. 



Among the additions to the collection of crccodilians were a 

 Nile crocodile, an Amazon caiman and a spectacled caiman. The 

 collection of lizards and serpents remains about the same in size 

 as during past years. A thoroughly representative series of each 

 order is on exhibition. Noteworthy among the serpents added 

 to the collection are boas of several species, from Mexico, Central 

 America and tropical South America. Several examples of the 

 showy South American rattlesnake, (Crotalus durissiis), have 

 been obtained. An interesting addition to the serpents is a brood 

 of tree boas, bred and born in the Reptile House. 



The growth of the younger alligators has progressed at such 

 a rate that last fall, when the saurians were brought into the 

 Reptile House, the regular accommodations were found quite in- 

 adequate. The large male alligator in the saurian pool was par- 

 titioned off at an end of the tank, and the greater part of the 

 pool was given over to the collection from outside. Two large 

 alligators were sent to the Aquarium to make room for the 

 younger contingent, some of which have attained a length of 

 seven feet. The strange albino alligator, on exhibition for the 

 past seven years, is now over eight feet in length, having grown 

 fully five feet since arrival. 



A notable improvement in the snake cages is the provision in 

 each cage of a high rustic table built of red cedar poles. These 

 tables are supported on rough cedar posts, and the reptiles have 

 evinced a decided fondness for climbing and lying upon them, 

 where they may be seen to better advantage than heretofore. 



In line with the work begun last summer when lectures were 

 delivered to the pupils of the public schools of this. Borough, a 

 case of anatomical models and other objects relating to the venom 

 apparatus of poisonous snakes has been placed upon the main 

 floor of the Reptile House. This exhibit has been of much in- 

 terest to visitors. It contains skulls of a representative series 

 of Old and New World venomous snakes, showing the long fangs 

 of the vipers and the proportionately very short poison-conducting 

 teeth of the venomous colubrine serpents. A skull of the South 

 American bushmaster is shown, in which are to be seen the many 

 auxiliary fangs ready to take the place of the main pair if the 

 latter are lost, thus exploding the old fallacy which held that a 

 poisonous snake can be rendered permanently harmless by ex- 

 tracting its fangs. 



