PREFACE. 



So general is the repugnance of mankind to the animals composing these 

 classes, that their study has been overlooked, and they have usually been con- 

 sidered as beings which it w^as not only necessary but meritorious to destroy. 

 A part of this vulgar prejudice is derived from education, and perhaps some of 

 it may originate from the fact that several of them are furnished vv^ith venomous 

 fangs, capable of causing intolerable sufferings and death. To the naturalist and 

 physiologist, however ; to those who study nature through her various modifica- 

 tions of form and structure, they present some of the most interesting objects of 

 contemplation. Their utility, either in diminishing various noxious animals, or 

 in furnishing food themselves to others, has been lost sight of; and because they 

 were cold to the touch, with a naked slimy skin without hair or feathers, they 

 have been considered as loathsome and hideous, although their structure displays 

 as much of the omnipotence and care of the Creator as can be seen in those 

 which are considered to be the most gorgeous and beautiful of his animated 

 beings. 



The number of known Reptiles and Amphibia throughout the world has 

 been variously estimated. It seems to be considered by some writers to reach 

 to 1,300 species, whilst others suppose that 1,500 would scarcely comprise them 

 all. As the greater number inhabit the torrid zone, we are not to expect to find 

 many in the United States. In this work we have enumerated one hundred and 

 sixty-one species, and have described and figured sixty-three species as found in 

 the State of New- York ; but we suppose the list to be far from being exhausted, 

 more particularly among the Amphibians. 



Descriptions of a few species may be found in the writings of Kalm, SchoepfF, 

 Bosc, Palisot de Beauvois and Daudin ; but these are often confused and contra- 

 dictory, and drawn up from altered cabinet specimens. In many cases, animals 



