PREFACE: 
Like the “Fishes of New Jersey,” published in last year’s 
report of this Journal, the present work similarly deals with the 
amphibians and reptiles known from within the present limits 
of the state of New Jersey. Although I have no new additions 
to the fauna in this department, much yet remains to be studied 
concerning most of the species. But few have in any way been 
examined with more than even a partial glimpse at their life 
histories within the large district embraced in the state’s 
boundaries. ‘Therefore, when the necessary exploration has been 
conducted, comparison with other localities may aid in clearing 
the way of some of our present stumbling-blocks. However, the 
purpose of this work, like that of last year’s, is not so much 
an attempt at further elucidation as an exposition of what is now 
known of the subject from my own observations. As with the 
fish-fauna, some records of rare or unusual species have been 
added recently. In several cases species have been described from 
within our limits, and these are all in need of examination and 
elaboration. I have been fortunate in most of these instances 
to be able to present further information, together with verifica- 
tions, etc., which it is trusted will conduce to place the subject 
in compact form for future workers. 
I have followed the classification used by Dr. David Starr Jor- 
dan, in his Manual of the Vertebrate Animals of the Northern 
United States, as the most satisfactory. It is based largely on 
Cope’s different articles. I have only listed the generic names, 
and where the few changes are made they will be noted under 
their respective species. Keys are given, based largely on Dr. 
Jordan’s. I have based the description of each species on a 
New Jersey example, wherever possible to secure one, and in 
the cases of those where less fortunate give a short diagnosis, 
(25) 
