ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 61 



commodations, and as a last resort a sort of mezzanine floor, of 

 wire, was hung in the northern end of the large alligator pool in 

 the Reptile House. Fortunately, a few of the individuals have 

 attained such size and strength as to enable them to hold their own 

 among our largest crocodilians, and through these our main 

 exhibit of large specimens has been materially strengthened. 



While no species of special importance have been added to the 

 collection of non-venomous snakes, a considerable number of poi- 

 sonous serpents, new to our collection, have been placed on exhi- 

 bition. Among these may be mentioned a representative series of 

 African vipers, which, while strikingly sinister in form are gen- 

 erally decorated with the strangest of patterns, combined with the 

 richest colors imaginable. Two of the most interesting of these 

 African snakes were brought to this country from the Congo 

 Free State, by Mr. Samuel P. \'erner, who transported one of 

 them in an ordinary basket for a distance of about five hundred 

 miles, despite the hysterical complaints of his superstitious black 

 carriers. 



RFJ'TILKS AND AMPHIHIAXS OX HAND DECEMP-ER 3I, I906. 



Species. Specimens. 



Chelonia 34 194 



Crocodilia 4 55 



Lacertilia 16 156 



Ophidia 69 312 



Amphibia 15 183 



Total 138 900 



The total census of the Zoological Park collections at the end 

 of 1906 is as follows : 



SUA! MARY OF COLLECTIONS. 



Species. Specimens. 



Mammals 189 620 



Birds 491 2.104 



Reptiles 123 717 



Amphibians 15 ^^3 



Total 818 3,624 



Increase over 1905 161 757 



