Dr. A. Giinther on Reptiles from Bahia. 413 



American Coluber quadrivittatus, whenever it was attacked by a 

 dog : in the latter case, it was not fear which produced the trembhng 

 motion of the tail ; for it was immediately followed by the snake 

 striking at the dog*. 



The specimens of Polychrus marmoratus show the remarkable pe- 

 culiarity, that their femoral pores are not visible ; this has been ob- 

 served also by Bibron, who says that they are often very indistinct 

 in this species. It changes its colours, like the Chameeleon, the 

 name of which has been conferred on it by the inhabitants of Bahia. 

 Its ground-colour is brown when it is cold or asleep, bright green 

 when it feels comfortable, and yellowish-green when exposed to great 

 heat. Also the great capacity of the lungs and the lively motion of 

 the eyes (which, however, act in concert with each other) remind one 

 of its representative of the Old World. Since it has been removed 

 to a warmer place than the cages in the Reptile-house are, it has re- 

 covered its full strength, feeds regularly on meal-worms, and is very 

 fond of milk. Being a Tree-Lizard, its favourite place is on the 

 branches of a large geranium, near the fire-place ; but even that place 

 is sometimes too cold for it ; and then it will approach nearer to 

 the fire than it is possible to keep the hand for any length of time. 

 Nevertheless it lies there basking for hours, extending the neck towards 

 the fire, and stretching the hind limbs in a line with the tail. These 

 animals will drink much ; and the quantity of water swallowed on 

 a single day by this specimen, the body of which does not exceed 

 5 inches in length, cannot be less than half an ounce. 



The researches of Dr. Wucherer, continued fur a considerable 

 space of time and confined chiefly to Snakes, prove that the environs 

 of Bahia are by no means so poor in species of this tribe as has 

 been represented by Castelnau. On the contrary, the following list, 

 containing chiefly the species common in the immediate vicinity of 

 Bahia, will be considerably increased, if Dr. "Wucherer carries out 

 his intention of extending his researches beyond those limits ; and 

 it is to be hoped that, with the assistance of this gentleman and of 

 his friendsf, we shall produce one of those local faunas which are so 

 valuable as contributing to our knowledge of geographical distribu- 

 tion, and to the distinction of the local variation of species. 



The following hst of Snakes has been made up from the notes of 

 Dr. Wucherer, and from actual specimens sent in spirits to the Bri- 

 tish Museum : — 



1. Geophis, n. sp.| From Canavieras, a small (own south of 

 Bahia. 



2. Elapomorphus Wuchereri, Gthr. From Ilheos. 



3. Liophis cobella, L. 



* The young of Cenchris piscicorus, born alive in the Gardens about the middle 

 of February, show tliis peculiar motion more frequently than any other of the 

 species mentioned. — March 5. 



t Dr. Wucherer has been assisted in collecting by Consul C. A. Giiltzow, Dr. 

 Heller, Dr. Tolsner, Herr v. Steiger, H. Foppel, and other gentlemen. Mr. Ben- 

 nett has kindly taken charge of tlie reptdes during the transport. 



X Dr. Wucherer has reserved to himself the description of this species. 



