THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE GROUP. 299 



in the Territory. Tliey are of much importance in the ever-present fight 

 against mosquitoes, since they are known to feed on their larvae They are 

 also supposed to feed on the liver-tluke Avhieli is quite common in certain 

 localities. Bullfrogs -- of very large size and with very deep bull-like voices 

 are well established, and frogs' legs are often seen in the markets. 



Tadpoles of the various species of frogs and toads are plentiful in the 

 pools along the streams far up into the mountains and are sure to attract the 

 attention of the student of nature. A few captured and placed in a jar at 

 home or at school will prove of great interest, as the transformation proceeds from 



an aquatic fish-like animal with gills, to an air-breathing quadruped with lungs. 



* 



No Snakes in Il.vw.vii. 



Fortunately, there are no land snakes in Hawaii. On several occasions, 

 however, snakes from California have reached the islands in bailed hay, but 

 as yet they have never made their escape so as to become established here. 

 The same is true of certain California lizards. A specimen fifteen inches in 

 length was killed on the wharf in Honolulu harbor a few years--' ago. But as 

 commerce from outside ports is safeguarded at present, there is little danger 

 of the larger reptiles gaining a foothold here." 



Turning from the land and fresh-water vertebrates to those inhal)iting the 

 sea, three specimens of sea-snakes are reported to have been collected 

 in Hawaiian waters. Two specimens, secured on opposite sides of Oahu, are 

 preserved in the Bishop Museum. The first specimen reported, however, was 

 identified by Prof. II. W. Henshaw. It was taken alive at Laupahoehoe, on Ha- 

 waii, in 1902, by ilr. E. W. Barnard. When found, the creature was sunning it- 

 self on shore and had evidently come from the water to shed its outer skin, which 

 was still attached to the body. The family of sea-snakes -^ to which this 

 species belongs is characterized by having the tail flattened to serve as a fin. 

 The specimen,-^ being the first sea-snake to be taken in Hawaii, made quite a 

 stir at the time, but as it was but two feet in length, and as only three speci- 

 mens have been reported in the history of the islands, their occurrence here 

 may be considered purely accidental. 



Sea-Ttutles. 



Among tlie more important animals inhabiting the sea, mention sliimld be 

 made of the two species of sea-tui'tles that occur in the waters about the islands. 

 They are known as the homi and the e-a b.v the natives, who are very fond of 

 the honu as a food. In former times the Hawaiians made use of the shell plates 

 in the manufacture of fish hooks, scrapers for removing the tra.sh from olona 

 fiber, and, to some extent, in more recent times, in the manufacture of orna- 

 ments. Turtles two feet or more across the shell are not rare, though the 

 specimens which reach the market are usually much smaller. In both species 

 the limbs have become completely modified into flippers or paddles which 



-- Rajitt i-nteshinha. ^Mflll. -^ Ui/drnphidcf. ■•■ IJi/ilni.i iilntiirus. 



