599 



tained : as if the external form and colours of the 

 animals were of no importance in the specific cha- 

 racter. On this subject the observations of Mr. 

 Schneider appear to be perfectly just. 



" Ingenia curiosorum primus acuit Linnaeus 

 ad investigandas corporum naturalium atque ani- 

 malium notas ; verum postquam accedente philo- 

 sophia et zootomia pomoeria scientiae naturalis 

 multo latins promota fuerunt, raro curiosorum 

 lectorum desiderio satisfaciunt breves amphibio- 

 rum notationes singulis speciebus in systemate 

 Linneeano appositae." 



Mr. Schneider goes on to observe, that, unless 

 a more ample mode of description be adopted, 

 there is reason to apprehend that the authority of 

 the Linn^ean characters of the Amphibia, and of 

 Serpents in particular, will become entirely ob- 

 solete. 



" Aucto enim amphibiorum cognitorum nu- 

 mero, plures format notas cum pluribus speciebus 

 communicari fuit necesse, quas ille, quibusdam 

 proprias putaverat; plures etiam omisisse ilium 

 probabile est obscuras in exemplis junioribus vel 

 vinaceo Hquore nimis maceratis, vel contemsisse 

 adeo velut inutiles, dum ipse nimis scutorum nu- 

 mero confidebat, quas deinde in adultis et recte 

 cognitis exemplis eminentiores observavit curio- 

 sorum diligentia, vel assumere investigatas coegit 

 dubitatio et criteriorum Linneeanorum cognita va- 

 nitas. Quod nisi fit, prope adest, ut verear, ne 



