IV PREFACE. 



not even belonging to this continent have been attributed to New- York, simply 

 because they vi^ere sent by a collector from that place. Thus the Ho7nolopsis 

 carinicauda of Brazil, and the Platydactylus milherti, a species probably existing 

 vv^est of the Cape of Good Hope, have been described as belonging to this State. 

 Often writers, in describing the Cijdura harlani, an animal probably from tropi- 

 cal America, state they have reason to believe that it is common in New- York. 

 But it is chiefly to the labors of American naturalists that we are indebted for 

 our knowledge of the Reptiles and Amphibians of the United States. 



Mr. Say has given us descriptions of several new Serpents and Tortoises ; Dr. 

 Green first investigated the numerous family of Salamanders ; and Major Le 

 Conte has described several new Tortoises and Frogs, and elucidated the pre- 

 vious doubtful or obscure species of the older writers. To Dr. Harlan we are 

 indebted for almost all the knowledge which we possess in relation to those 

 remarkable families among the Amphibians, which were for a long period known 

 under the name of doubtful reptiles. 



Dr. Holbrook, in his excellent and beautifully illustrated work, entitled North 

 American Herpetology, has enlarged our acquaintance with every department 

 among these classes, and his volumes will long remain a monument of his genius 

 and his zeal. Dr. Holbrook has recently remodelled this work ; and at the 

 moment that these pages are passing through the press, is engaged in publishing 

 a second edition, in five quarto volumes, with many important additions. To his 

 kindness I am indebted for the privilege of being permitted to examine most of 

 what has already been printed, and it has suggested many valuable improve- 

 ments in the present volume. 



To Major Le Conte, I have to express my thanks for his assistance in the 

 course of this work, which owes several of its illustrations to his pencil. Dr. 

 Emmons, of the Geological Survey, has also afforded me valuable aid in obtaining 

 some species which might otherwise have escaped my observation. 



J. E. DE KAY. 



The Locusts, Queens County. 

 January 1, 1842. 



