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PREFACE. 



In bringing this second volume of the indo-australian Reptiles 

 before the public, I may be allowed gratefully to acknowledge 

 the industry and constant application of Miss DE RooiJ, which 

 were necessary to complete in so short a space of time the 

 first comprehensive work about the Reptiles, living in the 

 indo-australian region. 



In the present volume 84 genera and 318 species of snakes 

 are described. Only very few of them have not yet been 

 found in the Archipelago. They are none the less included 

 because Miss DE ROOIJ rightly supposes that they will be 

 discovered in future also in this part of the world. 



With the present volume the work about the indo-australian 

 Reptiles is completed. 



It will certainly be of great help to students of this group 

 of animals. Besides, I hope not to be wrong in supposing 

 that it will also be of interest to residents in the Archipelago, 

 many of whom are attracted by the animals living around 

 them, but who lack works to guide them. Such a guide they 

 will find in the work of Miss DE RooiJ. The numerous figures, 

 so ably and accurately drawn by Mr. J. F. OBBES will greatly 

 facilitate the use of the descriptions. 



To promote the study of animals in the Archipelago in 

 both directions, was the aim, when the publication of a series 

 of volumes describing the Vertebrates of the indo-australian 

 Archipelago, was planned. In a previous volume we have 

 explained how their appearance was realised by the interest 

 and help of the late Prof. M. TREUB and by his successor 

 Dr. KONINGSBERGER. 



Miss DE ROOIJ has already gratefully acknowledged the 

 assistance she had received from many institutions and indi- 



