406 APPENDIX. 



palms, on the summits of high mountains, and on the dry lands 

 within a few yards of the sea ; these always seeking cool places 

 for concealment during the day, but never approaching the water, 

 which upon being thrown into, they instantly quit." The 

 largest of the three species discovered by our author, was Her- 

 pa gigas, black above, dirty and paler beneath. It was from 

 six to seven inches long, and was found creeping across a damp 

 forest path ; but from the strange power it possesses of contrac- 

 ting its body, it escaped through a small crevice of the box it 

 was deposited in, before it could be more accurately examined. 



