X THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



It is considerations like the above which lead one to view with 

 satisfaction the production of such a work as the present, devoted 

 to the popularization of a group of animals famihar, unfortunately 

 at times too familiar, to all in South Africa. For years the writer 

 has made a special study of snakes, their habits and instincts, and 

 has done much to popularize a rational interest in them and other 

 groups of animals ; indeed, it may truly be said that no one in 

 South Africa has within recent years more successfully laboured 

 to bring the facts of Nature in an attractive form before a people 

 naturally responsive to them. It is to be hoped that the book 

 will succeed in stimulating a still wider intelhgent interest in this 

 special group of animals, and also give encouragement to the 

 production of further works devoted to other groups These will 

 then serve as means for introducing Nature knowledge to the 

 rising generation in an attractive form, as well as for supple- 

 menting the experience already gained by those of more mature 

 age. 



J. E. DUERDEN. 



Rhodes College, Grahamstown, 

 Cape Colony. 



I 



