ON COPHIAS AND BACHIA. 



BY S. G ARM AN. 



Cophias as a generic name for South American reptiles 

 da'tes from 1820, when Merrem, Syst. Amph., applied it 

 to a genus of the Toxicophidia. Of the species he in- 

 cluded four or five rightfully belonged to previously es- 

 tablished genera. After removing those of Lachesis, 

 Daudin, 1803, and Trigonocephalus, Oppel, 1810, there 

 remained but two to bear the name proposed by Merrem. 

 Wied-Neuwied in his Eeise, 1821, in his Abbildungen, 

 1824, and in his Beitrage, 1825, uses this name for species 

 correctly placed with these. Wagler, 1824, in the Spix 

 Reptilia gave the name Bothrops to a genus containing 

 Lachesis and a number of species belonging with the two 

 from Merrem and those of Wied, through which Cophias 

 really anticipates Wagler's name, though that term has 

 been adopted by recent authorities. 



Previous application and repeated use among the Ophidia 

 notwithstanding, Fitzinger, 1826, Syst. Sep., 20, gave 

 the name Cophias to a genus of lizards, distinguished by 

 three toes on the hind foot. The only question in this note 

 is whether we are justified in retaining this name among 

 the Sauria. From the data given above it does not seem 

 possible to do so in accord with general practice. In fact 

 the necessity of selecting another title for the genus of liz- 

 ards so named appears unavoidable. If we accept the genus 

 (96) 



