64 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
DEPARTMENT OF REPTILES.—Raymond L. Ditmars, Curator. 
The most important accessions to the reptile collection during 
the year consisted of two specimens of the Florida Crocodile, each 
nearly ten feet in length. The first was captured near Cape 
Sable by Mr. Julian A. Dimock, and presented by him. The 
other was presented by Mr. C. B. Cory from his collection of 
living animals at Palm Beach. These specimens represent the 
only species of true crocodile found in the United States. It is 
sharply distinguished from the Alligator by its olive-green color, 
its sharp-pointed snout, and exposed lower canine teeth. 
To accommodate these very interesting specimens one end of 
the Alligator Pool in the Reptile House was cut off by a wire 
partition. Soon after Mr. Dimock’s specimen was placed in this 
enclosure it proved itself to be a female by depositing 28 eggs. 
These were quickly taken in hand and placed in an incubator, 
but unluckily they proved infertile. 
Noteworthy additions to the collection of venomous serpents 
consisted in three large Cobra-da-Capellos from India, the first 
specimens to be imported since the opening of the Reptile House. 
Although in poor condition on arrival, they were treated with 
such care and skill that their old skins were finally removed 
successfully, since which they have thriven. They are very 
active and vicious, and attract much attention. The addition of 
2 more species of Rattlesnakes brought the number of that genus 
up to eight. A female Fer-de-Lance procured from Trinidad 
gave birth to 24 young, which are being reared by hand with 
especial care. 
On December 31st, 1902, the reptile collection contained the 
following representatives: 
Chelomian a. 8s eee ect pee 32 Species. 134 Specimens. 
Crocodiliae. ak a ee: 3 a 33 rs 
IWacertilay sve oa Cea altars 16 ‘a 1} : 
Os ( Venomous eR eiPe 2 . So = 
Ophidia \{ Non-Venomous... 35 Xi 301 i 
Batrachiar sunceyesckyt spout 16 i 112 os 
114 772 
Received) by gift. false. 2.4 « «ceeds, or Renn ORE eter 442 
Purchased” hiss ire i eae see eee reer 518 
IBDODIAt Ge ata ot nok eee eee, eee Oe BOS SOS Satie 46 
