206 REPTILES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



The " Rana claviata" I have also erased, because no one of my 

 scientific friends has ever met with it; and Dr. Holbrook, who well 

 knows the species, and has visited this portion of the country repeat- 

 edly of late years, to collect materials for his great work, says, in his 

 third volume, this species "is found in the low countries of Carolina 

 and Georgia ; farther north than this, I have never seen it." 



The " Salamandra cinerea" is omitted, because Dr. Green, who first 

 described it, as well as the " erythronota," considers them both one 

 species. 



The " Salamandra tigrina" and " longicauda" may perhaps both be 

 found here ; but knowing no one who had ever seen them in this State, 

 I wrote to Dr. Emmons, upon whose authority they were given in that 

 catalogue, for information ; he writes me, that he thinks he has seen a 

 specimen of each, but adds : " I will not take the responsibility of giv- 

 ing these two species as citizens of the Bay State. I have not studied 

 them carefully enough to be authority." 



Having erased the above mentioned species, and introduced three 

 Tortoises, two Colubers, one Heterodon, one Rana, one Hylodes, four 

 Salamanders, and one Scincus, which were not noticed in the cata- 

 logue referred to, the Herpetology of our State, as far as I have been 

 able to learn, is composed of fourteen genera and thirty-nine species. 

 More extended investigation will undoubtedly ascertain the existence 

 here of new species, as well as of many which have been already de- 

 scribed by naturalists. 



Meager though this Report may be considered, friends have kindly 

 tendered their aid in its preparation, and I would express to them my 

 thanks. To the following gentlemen I am particularly indebted : 



To Mr. A\onzo Gray, of Andover, for numerous living specimens of 

 Tortoises, Colubers and Salamanders ; 



To Professor C. B. Adams, of Middlebury College, Vt., for many 

 beautiful living specimens, and much valuable information respecting 

 them; 



To Amos Binney, M. D. ot Boston, for free access to his rich and 

 very valuable library, at all times, whereby I have been enabled to 

 consult volumes, of which he possessed the only copies in this portion 

 of the country. 



Trusting that you will be satisfied that an eflfort has been made to 

 perform the duty required of me as accurately and faithfully as circum- 

 stances would allow, I remain. 



Your friend and servant, 



D. HUMPHREYS STORER. 



